Crucifixion alternative. To provide desperately needed funds for the state prison system SB #4397 has just been passed. There are some very clever provisions in this new law.
1. The state mandate of lethal injection has been revoked as by clever lawyering a loophole found in the cruel and usual punishment ban.
2. State auctions are held at the state prison every Saturday morning. Prisoners are made to strip naked and stand before the wealthy buyers. The lucky bidders are then given the death warrants detailing the approved methods of execution; anything from crucifixion, slow hanging, electricity, whipping with the regulation scourge whip, various other. There is also "fill in the blank" option. In this way the buyer may choose his own method. The only regulation is that the death time is no less than an hour, and for it to be a painful end.
3. The executions are open for public viewing at a steep admission price and are videotaped for purchase.
Buyer Hank Aaron arrives early, he wants a sneak preview of the naked prisoners, all standing on a platform, arms behind necks for full exposure. He smiles and looks over a slightly hairy one, grasping the legs and feeling the chest. "Just perfect" he sighs, finally I can test my tank. The prisoner shudders, noticing the cruel smile of the bidder.
You see Hank is by trade a pool repairman and his clever invention is the "Water Tank" The prisoner is placed inside, and the water flow starts, slowly slowly rising. The tank is plexi glass, so spectators can watch the naked prisoner thrash about, desperately gasp for air as the water reaches top.
To the condemned one's horror, Frank wins the bid. He smiles to the guards. "Not to worry, I'll give you a good show here."
Hank sits behind the control panel, starts out at high water pressure aiming the flow at the exposed genitalia as the prisoner twists and squirms. Meantime he adjusts the temperature with dials, going from near freezing to hot; this adds to the torment. As the water reaches near chin level the flow is reduced, then increased again. Very much a cat and mouse game now. Nearly an hour passes and then a guard reminds him. "Best to finish him now, I have another candidate for the tank." A hefty check passes hands, the prison wants to purchase the machine, such a clever and cruel invention.