Page 18 - The Circle of Life

her. Otherwise how can there be an informed decision from her side? However,

this simple legality leads to all sorts of problems which we will discuss below:

Are you infringing on her privacy to ask for evidence of her status? No, probably

not but it may be bad for your future prospects being a bit of an insult to some
of the improved specie. It is in this day and age admissible to ask I suppose for

all are equal in front of the law or supposed to be. However, in the past, the
mere insinuation that a woman could have such low morals to be able to have

such a disease would have been slander and defamation of character. The law
also presumes (Roman law that is) that an unmarried woman (not man

strangely enough) is a virgin until married and if widowed or divorced then
chaste at the very least. Of course any legal presumption may be overturned

with evidence.

There are many cases in history where we suspect the King or others died of
syphilis for failing to ask and visiting places of ill repute (another crime in most

countries). We also know of cases where her brothers came after you with evil
intend and a rope for your neck and you had to take a ship to the new world in

indecent haste to escape them. Especially if you failed to marry her after the
deed so to speak! Seduction of a virgin was a serious crime and even today may

still bring you to court to please explain you beastly behaviour sir. It can cost
you a few bob too for compensation as we will see later in the book.

Three, what do you do when her horrible little dog attacks you from behind (as

they do) whilst you are exploring her in a moment of agreed and negotiated
passion and the ghastly hound decides to protect its mistress? Does the law
allow you to kick the brute in self-defence and if not quick enough can you sue

her for your medical expenses or she you for her dog's injuries? How do you

explain that to the local emergency room I wonder? Will that affect your dignity?

Four, what happens if you are in a car accident in your car on the way to dinner?

Who claim against whom? Well, it depends on what happens and usually
insurance will sort that one out for she is not a paying passenger (I hope). Or

(and this happens more often than you would think) one of you chokes at the
table or more probably get food poisoning. Would that be your fault in law or the

restaurant you chose? Are you held liable under precarious liability?

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