experimentation

Aaron closed the door on the entranced boy. He heard the boy curse and footsteps echo down the hall. He walked over to Shania and held up the crystal. She focused on it. She stared with her mouth parted.

Aaron did a test. "Shania, nod if you can hear me."

Shania nodded.

"Good, stand on one leg,"

Shania stood on one leg.

"Bark like a dog,"

"Arf! Woof!"

Hmm, thought Aaron. "Let's try something:" "Shania, you will believe everything Aaron St. George says and do everything he tells you to do. Nod if you understand."

Shania nodded.

"Good, you will not remember seeing this crystal, or me speaking to you, but you will believe everything I say from now on and do everything I tell you to."

She nodded again.

Aaron quickly put the crystal in his pocket.

Shania put her foot down and blinked a few times. "Wow, it's like I went blank. I'm sorry. Must be jet lag."

"Yeah, you know what's great for jet lag?" asked Aaron.

"What?" said Shania.

"Doing a headstand while you meow like a cat. Try it."

"Well, that sounds weird, but OK." Shania went to the wall and put her hands on the floor. She got up on her hands into a headstand and started meowing.

"Oh fucking yes!" Aaron thought to himself.