The next morning

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” Jack said, as they were walking into the psych building.

JJ laughed. “Like it was that hard! With $250 extra a week you’ll be able to eat better, and maybe buy some new clothes. You can’t go through 3 more years wearing just skinny jeans and black t-shirts.”

Jack was getting a snappy response ready when they reached the door to Professor Hart’s office.

“It’ll be fun,” JJ said as she knocked on the door.

“Come in!”

JJ opened the door and stepped inside, with Jack on her heels.

“Hi. We’re here for the study?”

Ken looked up from his desk. “Ah, yes. I’m waiting for 2 more, so if you would just take a seat,” he said as he motioned towards a few empty chairs.

Jack and JJ sat down in silence. As Ken returned his attention to the paper he was reading, Jack looked around. The room was what you’d expect from a college professor, stacks of books everywhere, certificates and degrees on the wall and a very large picture of a brain on the wall.

Soft music could be heard, but it was so low that Jack couldn’t actually make out what was playing.

After about 10 minutes there was a knock at the door.

Without looking up, Ken simply said “Come in!”

The door opened and 2 girls walked in.

“Is this where we come for the study,” one asked.

“Yes, take a seat and we can begin,” Ken replied.

As soon as the 2 girls sat down, he began.

“This is a blind study on the effects of subliminal messages. I intend to prove once and for all, either way, if subliminal messages truly work. Each of you will be given a MP3 player with music on it. However, you will not know if the one you receive has any other audio.”

While the 4 students digested what they had just be told, Ken turned his attention to his computer, and hooked up 4 MP3 players. Once he was satisfied that everything was working properly, he again turned his attention to the students.

“Alright, now is the time to leave if you don’t want to participate. I must add that if you choose not to, your partner will be disqualified from participating. Do any of you wish to quit?”

No one said anything.

“Good!” Ken beamed. Let’s get this show on the road. Is there anything about yourself that you would like to improve?”

One of the 2 girls who entered last spoke first. “I’d like to be more outgoing,” she practically whispered.

“Easy enough,” Ken staid as he hit a few keys on his computer.

“Next?”

“I’d like to have better study habits,” Jack said.

“That is an admirable goal!” Ken said as he typed something. “Ok, who is next?”

“I want to simply remember people’s names!” JJ stated.

“Who wouldn’t,” Ken laughed as he typed. He turned and looked at the last girl. “What you you?

“I would like to stop smoking,” she answered.

“We will see,” Ken responded. Looking at the 4 students, he made a quick decision that all 4 would be test subjects. Clicking a few icons on his computer, he downloaded the appropriate files to each individual MP3 player. He also added an extra file, just for his own pleasure. These 4 were cute, but they needed to show more when they came to his office. Nothing sexier than a pretty, young co-ed in skimpy clothes.

“Alright then,” he said as he handed out the MP3 players. “Listen to these at least 2 hours a day and overnight. I will see you next week. We will test you then to see if anything has happened or not. You will be paid then. Thank you for participating.”

He stood as Jack and the girls got up to leave.