Test drive

Cory slouched back in her chair. Her shoulders drooped. Her hands settled on the armrests, finally at peace. Her legs, previously swinging back and forth in anticipation, now hung heavily in the air. She tried to figure out what was supposed to be putting her under hypnosis. Not that it wasn't working. Still, her eyes kept slipping right past the visor, no matter how hard she fought to keep them focused.

You sit there for a hot minute, letting Cory slip deeper and deeper into her trance. After an agonizing wait, you relax in your swivel chair and roll up close to Cory. You can feel the heat radiating from her body and the helmet. You wave a hand in front of her face. No response.

"Cory," you narrated, following the script verbatim, "you feel nothing. Gather all of your thoughts, and let them leave your mind. In one big breath. Ready? Three...two...one...exhale."

Cory expelled a slow, warm breath. Her mind was at peace. You can't see Cory's eyes, but you guessed that they were blank: devoid of any thought.

"Good. Now, whenever I, and only I, say the phrase 'Donkey Kong', your mind will empty, just like it did now. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Cory managed, her eyes half-lidden and heavy.

"Great. This is called your subconscious mind."

"This is called my subconscious mind." She blurted, before you could finish. Her breathing was calm but steady. She sank further into her seat. Her eyes dropped, unsure what they were looking at anymore. Still, she knew for some reason that it was important to keep listening and keep looking.

"Everything I tell you in this state will carry over to your conscious mind," you say, "You know that, right?"

Cory shifted to face you. For a moment, you expect her to chortle at your absurd demand. "yes," she said finally. You sighed in relief, fully convinced that your contraption works. Her head bobbled from side to side, listlessly swinging from her left shoulder to her right.

"In your current state, whenever I, and only I, say the phrase 'Donkey Kong', you will return to normal."

She repeated the long instruction back to you. You opened your mouth to speak, but the words died in your throat. The script ended here. Anything you said would be officially off script.

Any feedback is appreciated! Story suggestions are also encouraged!