Ashley puts me under.

“We’ll start small, today. I’m going to put you under for five minutes, ask some questions, make a few observations, then wake you back up. Hypnotism can vary somewhat from person to person, and I just want to make sure I know how it affects you, specifically, before doing anything too drastic. Does that sound alright with you?”

Ashley sounded as if she had given this exact speech dozens of times before, and it dawned on me that with her attention to detail and level of commitment, she probably had. I gulped audibly before nodding my consent. “S-sure, doctor. That sounds fine. I, uh, I’m not sure what to, err, expect, so I’m a little, uh, nervous.”

Ashley gave a warm, professional smile. “There’s nothing to worry about. Hypnosis is perfectly harmless. You'll enter a relaxed state, and I’ll be able to directly speak with your subconscious, and while you might be a bit less reserved and more suggestible, a hypnotized person will never do something they don’t actually want to do, so you’ll be in no danger while you’re under.”

I nodded and let out a long breath. I have very little understanding of actual hypnosis, so Ashley could be telling the truth or outright lying, but given that we were both on something of a script tonight, it didn't really matter. "A-alright, if you s-say so. Just tell me what to do, I guess."

Ashley smiled again, then reached behind her and produced a small crystal attached to a chain necklace. She scooted her chair towards me, and I gave short, nervous breaths as she drew closer, stopping about two feet away. “Relax,” She spoke, before holding up the crystal, “You’ll be fine. Just follow my instructions, okay?” I nodded, and she continued, “Now just look into the crystal. Notice how it catches the light? Watch carefully.” I obeyed, following the crystal with my eyes as it began to swing it back and forth. Well, perhaps I occasionally let my gaze flicker away from the crystal in order to marvel at my sexy therapist, but I did my best. “That’s it, keep watching the crystal, and listening to the sound of my voice. You’re beginning to become very relaxed, now.” I relaxed back into the comfy sofa, and continued to play along, letting out a deep sigh of contentment. “Good. Now, on the count of three, you will fall asleep. While asleep, you’ll still be able to hear me, and you’ll answer any questions I ask. Just keep watching the crystal, and focusing on the sound of my voice. One… two… three.”

On three, I closed my eyes and slumped my head forwards, feigning at sleep. “Very good,” Ashley spoke, and I heard her set down the crystal. From here on, she was completely in control, and all we had left to see was what she did with this control.