Reply #23: Have you done any undercover work before? Here's how: [View All]

[AlienGirl]

Preparation: "Scrub" your identity. Get rid of any websites with identifiable personal information or photos of you. Dump Facebook or anything else that would connect your real name or face (or location) to left-wing anything. I cannot overemphasize the importance of this!!

Stage 1: Start small, go to one of their events, dress inconspicuously, and play dumb. Ask them to explain everything to you. Tell them something about how you weren't politically active until..<fill in the blank, I'd probably use some hot thing like "until they started wanting to take over health care">. Let them "educate" you.

Stage 2: Offer to do some of the scut work for their organization once they have started accepting you. (If they have called you to remind you to come to an event or meeting, you're to this level.) Stuff envelopes, make copies, drive people around. This makes you seem like you are a reliable member. Keep letting them "educate" you, especially the higher-ranking members.

Stage 3: Now you are getting in with the in-group. You should have access to some leaders now, and you can have them tell you "war stories" about things they've done in their struggle. Be impressed and never, ever be shocked or disturbed by *anything*. Keep them talking. Don't look scared even if you are.

Good luck!

Tucker

P.S. Be careful that you don't wind up believing their stuff. Make some time to retreat occasionally from their world and the character you are playing, and enjoy being who you really are somewhere they won't see you. Catching the craziness is to this kind of project what sampling the drugs is to undercover narcotics work--only the craziness can infect you without you noticing until it's too late.

P.P.S. Wait at least a few months before starting, because your DU profile has your location in it, so you can assume the groups near you will be looking out for an infiltrator. Scrub your identity!