Questions and insights.

As soon as we left the bookstore, Veronica let out a long sigh.

"Holy shit, I've never done anything like that before! I can't believe that worked." She seemed on the verge of passing out and I realized that I might have pushed it too far.

"Hey, it worked, right?"

She shot me a troubled glance and composed herself. "Also I can't stop talking to myself. That's very concerning."

I had an idea. "What if it's a side effect of whatever this new power is? Maybe you've, I don't know, unlocked a way to talk to your subconscious or something. But it only speaks through Jason."

I could see her mulling over my idea, so I continued. "No one will think it's weird that you're talking to Jason - they'll think Jason is speaking for them, not you. And that way you can talk to someone about your new power."

"Even if it's myself?" she replied skeptically.

"Hey, you helped you figure it out in the first place. What's the harm?"

She shrugged and we continued walking.

"So, let's go back to your place and get ready for Chrissy. I feel like we ought to freshen up a bit, don't you?"

She chuckled. "Of course I do, I said it. I don't know why I went after that girl so aggressively. I'm not even a lesbian!"

This was news to me. She'd never come out, but all of our friends assumed she was. She'd never really shown any romantic interest in anyone but it was more or less an open secret.

"You're not- I mean, I'm not?"

"Of course not," she said dismissively. "To be honest, I'd rather have a bunch of one-night stands with strangers than a long-term relationship right now. And letting all of my male friends think I'm gay saves me the trouble of rejecting them."

This was new info. "So then why were you so interested in that girl at the store?"

"I don't know," she said reflexively. "I really don't. I mean, I was thinking I'd try to do a little light shoplifting or mess with the owner, and then all of the sudden I'm bending her over and shoving my tongue down her throat in the middle of the store. I guess I never really realized I was into girls until then."

I thought about this. Obviously people were rationalizing the things I was doing and saying as their own actions. So far that had mostly been apologizing for rude or out-of-character remarks. But did I actually alter Veronica's sexual preference? Or did I just make her question it? Time to try something else.

"I feel like taking off my top." I said loudly.

Veronica chuckled. "I really do. It's kinda chilly but it'd be nice to let these things swing free."

I pressed a little harder. "I should take off my top."

"I mean, maybe I should..." she said uncomfortably. "I guess it'd be an example about empowerment, maybe? Or just fun? I mean, it's not like I'm gonna-"

"I'm taking off my top now."

She stopped for a moment, like she was weighing options. "Well, not right now. I'm taking this thing off as soon as I get home. I'm sick of it."

So I couldn't really **** her to do things she didn't want to do, but I could put the idea in her head. It makes sense - if I suddenly blurted out "I'm gay," I wouldn't change my sexuality. If I kept saying it, though, it might cause me to reassess.

I was curious about something else. "I wonder what's been going on with Jason..." I said, hoping to provoke a response. Predictably, I did.

"He's been really weird. We met at the coffeeshop and he's been around but he hasn't said or done anything. He's just been doing whatever I want him to do. I wonder if he's ok."

That wasn't as informative as I hoped, and I was starting to get bored. I decided to wrap it up. "I should head back to my place and get ready for Chrissy." Without a word, Veronica turned and began walking towards her apartment.