I had gone to see Brian's shows before, and this was the best show yet. The tweaks to his act were really working and upgrading his training on performing hypnotism was well worth it! I always wondered before if the participants were half faking it or if it was the genuine article.
He was a magician, originally, before adding hypnotism as part of the act -- gradually it became his most notorious segment and eventually took over the show. It was humorous and uncanny; he always had the audience in the palm of his hand. The late shows were especially winsome, with some racier elements. But he never had anyone debase themselves in a lasting way, like performing a sex act or anything of a really extreme nature. More like he would have them act out an opposite-gender strip show - that kind of thing. Embarrassing but all in good fun. He would snap them out at the end, and they would shake their head, shocked. They wouldn't remember a thing and gaped later, slack-jawed at videos of them participating onstage.
I was always curious about trying. I wondered what it was like to be under Brian's spell. I was curious to see if it really worked and I was admittedly skeptical; I suspected people cooperated out of politeness or just getting wrapped up in the moment.
I asked if I could try, and he responded that he never brought it up because if I hadn't asked in all this time I probably wasn't interested. He agreed that he would, saying we could do it in private, just to see what the experience was like without feeling embarrassed afterwards about whatever I did. Mostly, he explained, people just have a laugh about it.
He pulled together two chairs and we sat facing one another. Brian said, "It's really pretty simple from your end. Just follow the instructions, relax, and let me 'have my way with you'," he smirked. "I count backwards from 10, " he said, "then you will open your eyes and be under my control. Here goes: 10,9,8...." I didn't feel anything happening. "3, 2... 1. Awaken".
Nothing. It hadn't worked.
I decided to play along just to see what would happen and I'd reveal the ruse at the opportune moment. I'll just wait to see what instructions I get and wait for a joke opportunity.
"Let's start with a basic one. You check your pockets and you think you pulled out a $100 bill." I followed the instructions, pulling out an invisible bill and opening my eyes wide with excitement. He seemed to be buying that I was hypnotized, and couldn't tell I was playing with him. I'd seen the act before and knew how people usually acted on this one. "You look down and realize the bill is now $1000!" I wore a gobsmacked expression, trying not to over do it.
"Now, I think I want you to believe you are a woman." I mocked shaking out my long hair and looked in the mirror, doing a coquettish pirouette. I pretended I was really seeing a woman in the mirror and it sold the acting. "Ok, miss, come back and have a seat." And I did.
Brian peered over his shoulder, confirming we were still alone. I glanced when he looked away such that he didn't notice me, then returned to my apparent zombie stare waiting for my next command.
"Next, you're going to..." he paused. He looked like he was trying to think of an idea.
