Long time reader, first time writer! Hope you all enjoy this story of hypnotic tricks on April Fools' Day. Leave any constructive criticism or positive comments below. Enjoy!
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"
I'm telling you Emily, hypnosis really works! I guarantee I can hypnotize you!
"
This has been an ongoing debate with Mark for the past several years. I have a master's in Psychology, so I would know hypnosis isn't real, but Mark took one online class on hypnosis and ever since, he has believed he can hypnotize anyone to do anything. Guess I'll remind him of my credentials...again.
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Mark! I have a master's degree in psychology! I actually understand how the mind works! Listen to me, because I'm not saying it again, so I'll say it slowly. Hypnosis...doesn't...work. People who claim it works are experiencing the placebo effect or pretending. You taking one online class doesn't make you an expert on...well, anything! You would have to be a fool to believe it works. I know it sounds mean, but I'm sick of having this debate with you.
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A fool!? I tell you what Emily, since you want to call me a fool, let's make a little bet on this April Fools' Day. Let me attempt hypnosis on you. If it doesn't work, I'll admit I'm a fool and I'll pay to take you out to dinner anywhere you want! If it does work, you'll be under my control and I can make you do any foolish thing I want. No worry of that though, you know, since you keep saying it doesn't work...
"
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You want to attempt to hypnotize me? Fine! It's a deal! Let's do it right now! I'm warning you though, I'm holding you to this bet. I want dinner at Massimo's. It's expensive, AND you're also buying the drinks.
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Hell, let's throw in appetizers and desserts too! Glad we're in agreement. Well Emily, let's get this started. I'll go dim the lights and get some ambient sounds going. You can take a seat on the couch.
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Being able to make a fool of Mark on April Fools' Day? How perfect. I couldn't have planned it better had I tried. Still, I want to embarrass him and show him how ridiculous he is. When he starts, I'll pretend it's working and go along with it. Once he believes that it's working, I'll let him know what an idiot he is and tell him I want that dinner right now. I'm starving. Anyway, the sooner we get this started the sooner it'll be over. Might as well go sit down on the couch.
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I'm warning you, hypnosis is a really powerful thing Emily! Before we start, let me explain to you how this works....
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Oh God, here we go. I want to get this over with, but now he's going to drone on and on about how this works. Leave it to a man who takes one online class to think he knows more than a woman with a master's degree. Alright Emily, take a deep breath. Smile, nod and maybe he'll stop soon. I can't wait to get some dinner once this is over. Maybe I'll get the chicken alfredo. Is he still talking? Ugh, yup, still mansplaining hypnosis. Keep nodding so he thinks you're listening. Good job, he thinks you're listening. Anyway, what should I get to drink tonight with dinner? Maybe a hard cider? Nah, I think I'll get a wine...
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Does that make sense Emily?
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He's done! What did he say? Oh no, I have no idea! I can't listen to him repeat all that. What should I do? I'll just say something so he thinks I was listening...
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Yeah, yeah, yeah. Makes sense Mark. I'm ready to get this over with, let's go.
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Great! First I'm going to get you into an incredibly relaxed state. I'll be talking and counting down. It's important you listen to what I say and visualize what I tell you to visualize. I'll start at 10, and as I get closer and closer to 1, you'll become more and more relaxed. Take a deep breath and we'll begin...
10
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Here we go! I'll make sure to listen. Might as well humor him. Besides, if I'm going to pretend it's working on me, I need to know how to act so he believes me.
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9
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Ah, the countdown begins. Where did he get this script? Think of myself walking through a forest? Think of myself at a stream? Alright, I'm doing that, and all it's doing is making me wish I were actually on a hike and anywhere but here.
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8
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Now I have to pretend that everything else around the stream has disappeared? What would nothingness look like anyway? Hmm, that's an interesting thought...
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7
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I really like the ambient sounds he's put on in the background. He wants me to focus on the sounds the water is making? Easy enough, I already was!
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6
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Another deep breath. If nothing else, he does deserve some credit, this is relaxing. Guess a free dinner isn't the only good thing about this.
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5
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I thought Savasana at the end of yoga was the most relaxing thing in the world. This is even more relaxing. Once I'm done pretending to be hypnotized and this is over, I'll have to ask Mark to read me this script another time, I'm definitely enjoying this relaxation.
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4
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Has Mark's voice always been this relaxing and deep? He's always had a deep voice, but this is different. It feels like his voice is IN me. Especially when he counts down. I can feel it throughout my entire body.
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3
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It's getting tough to keep my eyes open. My eyelids feel so heavy. I'll close them for a little bit. Besides, it'll make him believe this is working on me.
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2
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Is this actually working? No! Don't be silly Emily. It's not working. You've had an insanely busy week at work and are just tired, so you're enjoying some relaxation. Besides, Mark's voice sounds so good right now, just focus on that.
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1
. You are now under my control."
Under his control? Yeah, right. Whatever you say Mark. The only thing I'm noticing right now is how good I feel. My eyelids feel like they can't open and my limbs feel heavy. If I didn't know better, I would swear he's attached heavy weights to my hands and feet. I don't want to move at all. I've never felt this relaxed. That's not hypnotism though, that's being exhausted after a week of work and closing your eyes for a nap.
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Emily, you are now under my control. We're going to run a test to see how under you really are...
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Sure, whatever you say Mark. I'll pretend to go along with his first suggestion or two, then I'll end this charade.
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When I snap my fingers, you'll open your eyes, let your arms fall to your side and slowly spread your legs as wide as you can.
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Spread my legs? He's lucky I'm wearing jeans. If I were in a skirt, I would tell him to go fuck himself and end this now. Anyway, I'll play along.
*Snap*
I don't want want to open my eyes, but whatever, I will. My arms were feeling heavy on my thighs, so moving them to my side sounds good. I'll do that now. Time to spread my legs so he thinks he's in control. Wait? They're already spread? Did I spread my legs when he snapped his fingers and not notice? No, don't by silly Emily, that would mean this is actually working. They must have happened to have spread when I was relaxing...
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You're a good girl Emily. You listen well. Now, let's see how in control of your mind I am. When I snap my fingers, you're not going to be able to say the number two. You can think it, but no matter how hard you try, you won't be able to say it.
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This is getting dumb. Whatever. Once he snaps his fingers I'm going to end this so we can go eat. I'll say two and get this is over with.
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Emily, tell me, what is one plus one?
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*Snap*