My College Field Trip... A Brothel

Randolph College, located in Lynchburg, Virginia, had a special treat for its students of the American Culture Program. These students get a trip to Nevada to tour  "the historic" Chicken Ranch Brothel in Pahrump, Nevada. The private liberal arts college, which was a single sex college till last year when they started admitting men, has the trip to end a course with the main concept of "American consumption" and "ideas that consume us." Required reading for the course: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Does anyone else want this course at their school?

Nevada is one of the two states in the U.S. that has legalized prostitution, the other is Rhode Island. Nevada's bordellos are heavily regulated and policymakers are always trying to crack down on the minimal freedom that these sex workers have. As for prostitution in Rhode Island, individuals may get paid for sex, but they cannot solicit in the streets or have brothels (which takes away all the fun in legal prostitution).

The students were allowed interview two prostitutes, Alexis and Alicia. Alicia, the one who would not disclose her age, but had breasts on full display (the left one has "FAMOUS" tattooed on it), was the liveliest of the bunch interviewed. Here is a sample of the Q & A: 

Do you consider yourself a feminist?

Alexis: "Most women in this business wear the pants in the family."

Is there a certain look most men prefer?

Alicia: Every man wants something different. "There's all different kinds of girls."

Why aren't there brothels with male prostitutes?

Rivenburgh: Former Hollywood Madame Heidi Fleiss is trying.

Do you still give a military discount?

Rivenburgh: Yes.

What's the worst part?

Alicia: "Being confined, being cooped up. I have to be here 24 hours a day."

The trip attendees then visit the infamous Jubilee! show in Las Vegas, Nevada to watch the topless showgirls and contortionists slink across a stage the size of a football field. If the students are lucky, they will get to ask the showgirls about strutting across the stage with nipples for many eyes to see.

I must admit I'm a little jealous, I want a trip to Nevada...to see a brothel... maybe even the Brothel Art Museum (and yes, there's a Brothel Art Museum).