Forming a plan

Jack leaned back in his chair, scrutinizing the waveforms dancing on his screen. One of his many previous gigs had been as a radio DJ, and he still had access to a large database of conveniently labelled tracks. For his proof of concept, he had selected a music track that should serve as the perfect carrier—soothing enough to blend seamlessly with Rachel's evening routine, yet unobtrusive to avoid raising her suspicions. He knew he probably should not listen to the audio he had laced with personalized subliminals, but he couldn't help but try this first one out himself. At least once. He played it back, closing his eyes to let the layers of sound wash over him. The subliminal messages were there, woven into the fabric of the melody, but undetectable to the conscious ear. He quickly turned it off before it could affect him personally.

He tweaked some final settings, and hovered the cursor over the 'Export' button. Jack's heart thrummed in his chest, a steady drumbeat that matched the rhythm of the track. With a deep breath, he clicked, and the audio file was rendered, the digital equivalent of a composer's final note on a masterful score. Jack felt a rush of adrenaline, a heady mix of excitement and trepidation. This was it— the first true test of the Subliminal Cue Mixer's power.

He transferred the file to a sleek, silver USB drive, the kind Rachel used for her presentations. It was a small, innocuous vessel for such a transformative payload. Jack ejected the drive with a satisfying click and held it between his fingers, the weight of its potential hanging in the air.

Jack's gaze shifted to the clock on his computer screen. It was almost dinner time, perfect timing for a casual visit. He stood up, stretching his limbs, feeling the tension of hours of meticulous work release from his muscles. He knew Rachel often worked late, and it wasn't unusual for him to bring her dinner to "rescue" her from working overtime.

A quick text message verified that she indeed was still at the office. He imagined her now, hunched over her desk, her auburn hair falling in waves as she pored over spreadsheets and reports. The thought of her, so consumed by her work, so unaware of the change about to unfold, sent a shiver of anticipation down his spine.

Jack took one last look at his workspace, the glow from his computer screen casting long shadows across the room, the Subliminal Cue Mixer sitting silent and unassuming among the tangle of cables and equipment. He switched off the lights, slipped the USB into his jacket pocket and stepped out into the cool night air.

As he walked the familiar path to Rachel's office and picked up their usual order of take-away Teriyaki noodles, the USB drive seemed to grow heavier in his pocket, a tangible reminder of the experiment he was about to undertake. The sensation suddenly made him realize that, in his excitement to get started with this plan, he hadn't really considered his long-term strategy. Fortunately, his mind worked best while walking.

Mulling things over, Jack came to a couple of conclusions. He knew Rachel had always been curious about the tech world and fascinated by new trends. He could spin this—frame it as a personal experiment in sound therapy or emotional optimization. He'd explain that his homemade technique can help optimize brain patterns for higher focus and productivity, reduced stress, and better work-life balance. Given her high-stress job, she’d see this as a potential tool for personal growth and efficiency. Besides, of course, she trusted him and would be happy to support her friend. She’d agree to it if he sold it right.

In fact, he might even be able to use a similar ruse to think bigger: Why not involve a group of test subjects, including Rachel? As he was considering his options, he arrived at her office.