Cheers!

"I feel some tension here," Ashley said.

Uncomfortable snickers reverberate through the room.

"Okay," she continues. "I see we need a break. We'll stop here. There's some water and snacks in the back of the room. Everyone take five while I think what to do."

People scuffle and make their way to the table in the back of the room. Nicole makes an extra effort not to touch any one. She noticed that the room was warmer than usual. She so needed a drink of water. The warmth and nervousness made her throat dry.

And she wasn't the only one. Everyone else made their way to the pitchers of water. Nicole was one of the last women to quench her thirst. She downed two small cups of water when Ashley called them back to their seats.

Avoiding touching anyone again, Nicole resumed her seat.

"Everyone seated? Good. Any one thirsty? Raise your hand if you are."

Nicole glances around the room and doesn't see any one raising their hand.

"Nod your head if you drank a cup or two of water."

Nicole nodded her head . So did every woman in the room.

"Awesome," Ashley squealed. "The water made all of you agreeable. Uninhibited, if you like. Highly suggestible. Well, not the water exactly, the psychotropic chemical. Clear and tasteless. And quick acting. Everyone applaud."

Nicole and every woman in that room began to applaud. Fear gripped Nicole's mind.

"Stop."

Everyone stopped clapping.

"Now everyone relax. Do not be afraid. In fact, you all are happy because you've been ****."

Nicole realized how silly she was to be scared. She was actually smiling and relaxed.

"Now for the activity," Ashley announced.