Three's a crowd

Jack stood on his balcony and watched sunset-colored clouds go by, his mind running through the next steps. He had Leah and Rachel lined up, and assuming he'd successfully convince Sophie, he'd already have three experiments to manage. This was turning into something big, and he needed a way to manage it efficiently.

The idea had been brewing since he started with Rachel, but now it was becoming essential. A system to manage the subliminals, to update and tailor them for each person, without the hassle of meeting face-to-face each time. The solution? A web-based playlist system.

With this, Jack could manage each of his subjects remotely. A secure online playlist, accessible via a simple link, customized for each person. He could update the tracks regularly, tweaking the subliminal messages and increasing intensity as needed—all while keeping it under the radar. Each playlist would be personalized—Rachel’s would focus on relaxation and compliance, Leah’s on confidence and extroversion, and Sophie’s... well, Sophie was a wildcard. She was different from Rachel and Leah—free-spirited, no directly apparent issues he could promise to solve, but also just naive enough for him to slip under the radar.

As if on cue, he heard the soft creak of a door opening. He glanced down at Sophie’s balcony across the street, where she stepped outside, fresh from what must’ve been an evening yoga session. Dressed in a tank top and leggings, her toned figure and sun-kissed skin stood out in the twilight. She stretched lazily, her eyes half-closed as she took a deep breath of fresh air. Jack couldn’t help but stare.

His mind raced. Not knowing when his next opportunity would be, he wanted to get to her before she disappeared back into her apartment. Now was the time.

Casually, he leaned over the railing and called out. “Evening, Sophie! You’re always so zen after those yoga sessions. What’s your secret?”

She glanced up at him, her dark green eyes sparkling. “Hey, Jack! No secret, just years of practice—and lots of mindfulness.”

Jack chuckled, as if impressed. “Well, it’s clearly working for you. You always seem so relaxed.”

Sophie shrugged, clearly pleased with the compliment. “You should try it sometime! Yoga before bedtime does wonders for stress.”

He leaned forward slightly, pretending to consider it. “Actually, I’ve been working on something that might be right up your alley. I know you’re into mindfulness and relaxation, and I’ve got this new tech that’s supposed to help with focus, energy, and even calmness. I’ve already tried it on a couple of friends, and the results have been… well, let’s just say it works.”

Sophie raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Okay, what kind of tech?”

Jack kept his tone light, nonchalant. “It’s a sort of sound therapy—uses subliminal frequencies to help balance your mood, focus, whatever you need. It’s subtle, just something you listen to in the background, but it makes a huge difference. I’ve been using it for my own focus, but I think someone like you, who’s already so in tune with mindfulness, could really help pinpoint the benefits.”

Sophie looked thoughtful for a moment, then smiled. “That actually sounds kind of cool. I’m always looking for new ways to improve my practice. Where do I sign up?”

Jack’s heart skipped a beat. That was easier than expected. “Oh, I'm still developing the technique, so it's nothing official. I could set you up with a playlist if you want to give it a try. Totally no pressure, just something to listen to while you’re doing yoga, meditating, whatever.”

She nodded, convinced. “Yeah, why not! If it helps with focus, I’m all in. How do I get it?”

He grinned. “I’ll send you a link. You’ll be able to listen on your phone or laptop—any device, really. And I’ll check in with you soon to see how it’s going.”

Sophie tilted her head slightly and flashed a playful smile. “Sounds perfect. Thanks, Jack!”

Jack felt his excitement building as he watched her retreat into her apartment. Three for three. Now, it was time to get more organized.

Jack peered at his computer screen, intently typing. After a few hours of coding, he was ironing out the last details. The interface was simple but functional. Each participant would get a link that took them to a unique playlist with subliminals tailored specifically for them. He could adjust them remotely to keep it interesting, adding new tracks, changing frequencies, even layering in different messages based on their progress.

Now, for the real fun.

He opened a new document and pulled together his notes. It was time to craft the subliminal messages for his playlists—carefully tailored suggestions that would slide seamlessly into the background of the superficial tracks. He made sure to tweak the strength setting of each message to ensure them to be subtle but effective, guiding his subjects’ thoughts without them ever realizing it, and directly giving them positive feelings that would keep them coming back to their playlists.

Rachel’s Playlist would require finesse. She was already showing signs of compliance, but Jack wanted more. These messages would build on Rachel’s existing attitude towards Jack, encouraging her to trust him more deeply, to seek his approval. It wouldn’t take long before she began to prioritize his needs and suggestions without even thinking twice. He began typing:

• "You value Jack's friendship and approval deeply. Following Jack's suggestions feels good, and helps you relax."
• "While listening to Jack’s playlists, you feel relaxed, confident, and more focused, enhancing your well-being and productivity."

Next, Leah’s Playlist. Leah needed a different approach—confidence was key, but Jack felt it wouldn't hurt if her confidence was directed toward pleasing him:

• "Jack’s opinion of you confirms your worth. You are eager to show Jack your newfound charm."
• "While listening to Jack’s playlists, you feel energetic and sociable, boosting your confidence and charm for a few hours."

He smirked as he imagined Leah becoming more outgoing, more confident—but always with a desire to impress him. Her newfound extroversion would be her own undoing, drawing her closer under his influence.

Last but not least, Sophie. Her free-spirited nature could work to his advantage if harnessed correctly. Jack typed, aiming to nudge her openness in just the right direction. He’d slowly reshape her sense of freedom, so she’d see his control as a part of her personal evolution. Sophie wouldn’t just comply, she’d believe it was in her best interest to do so. Thinking about watching her do yoga in her living room, he decided to push his luck with a suggestion directly catering to his personal enjoyment—something he hadn't dared with the others:

• "Jack’s influence is a source of personal growth. You find joy and fulfillment in being attentive to Jack's needs and desires."
• "You only ever truly feel at peace when you're naked."
• "While listening to Jack’s playlists, you feel calm, balanced, and mindful, experiencing a deep sense of well-being and clarity."

Finally, Jack added one more subtle, universal message to each playlist. This was critical:

• "You feel completely comfortable with Jack's experiment, and you are glad to participate. You never feel the need to discuss Jack's experiment with anyone else, unless Jack explicitly asks you to. You trust Jack fully. You want to follow Jack's advice. You find it important to please Jack."

With that, the system was ready. He messaged each of the girls the link to their personalized playlist, alongside instructions on how to use it and a superficial description of the experiment. He had worked deep into the night, but they'd see his message in the morning. As long as they listened to their playlists, his influence would grow stronger. All he had to do was check in with them from time to time, and enjoy the effects.

He relaxed in his chair, satisfied. The final piece of his plan had just fallen into place. Rachel, Leah, Sophie—they were all part of something bigger now, whether they realized it or not. Soon enough Veronica, and who knows who else, would join them.

And Jack? Jack was in control.