In Cruise Ship Hypnosis Pt. 01, Katie Thatcher was introduced as a stage hypnotist entertainer performing a popular cruise ship show. More importantly, she is also a trained hypnotherapist who holds group sessions to help with a multiplicity of problems such as ending a smoking habit, losing weight, etc. She also holds private sessions for people with more delicate and personal difficulties. Her husband, Matt, serves as manager and agent. In Cruise Ship Hypnosis Pt 01, her role as hypnotherapist leads her, reluctantly, into a moderate sexual relationship with Janine which, she fears will put her on the proverbial 'slippery slope' toward using hypnosis to take advantage of clients. While not absolutely necessary, I would recommend reading that episode to provide a better picture of Katie and Matt's backgrounds and of the events referred to in this story.
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Katie and Matt had discussed their experience with Janine in minute detail and, as Katie had feared, temptation was there in each of the cruises they had been on since then. As might be expected, Matt saw a potential...well, I don't like using the term "victim" because that seems harsh. "Seducee" is probably a better word? Whatever, there always were physically attractive women who, for one reason or another, on stage or in group (occasionally private) sessions were placed in a trance by Katie. They then could be subject to post-hypnotic "suggestions" like the red bikini worn by Janine. He believed that Janine had suffered no harm and had actually enjoyed the sexual byplay with the two of them and, therefore, he felt no guilt.
Katie, on the other hand, felt that they had taken advantage of Janine which was a violation of her ethical standards. She did have guilt feelings despite agreeing with her husband that no damage had been done and that Janine had enjoyed being naked and fondled by both of them. She was also troubled by her own sexual reaction since she never had had any physical interest in another woman.
In any case, they had gone back and forth on the subject and, other than occasional teasing from Matt about the availability of sexy women they encountered, the idea of further adventures was pretty much gone. With the end of the winter cruises in the Caribbean they took time off while the ships were repositioned and then flew to Europe for the spring and summer season. They boarded their new ship, moved in and were prepared for another season of stage performances and problem solving along with the fun of seeing new sights when ashore. It was then that the temptation reappeared as the result of doing a good deed.
Katie and Matt were having breakfast at the buffet the second day of the cruise, talking about the show they were to put on that night. Suddenly, they became aware of another couple standing at their table, seemingly waiting to be noticed. Katie looked up and, startled, said, "My god, looks who's here! Jane and Tony Fletcher! Now this is a surprise! How on earth did this happen?"
Matt, recognizing them also, added, "Sit down and tell us what you've been doing since we saw you...what, two years ago?"
"Oh, this is good! We weren't sure that you would remember Jane and me after all this time. We know that you meet hundreds of people."
"Well, yes, we do," Katie said, "and we promptly forget most of them when the cruise ends, but you two were special and we had a lot of fun with you. I can't believe that we ended up on the same ship, particularly since we're on a different line now! We wanted to see northern Europe, particularly Norway and Sweden, but we never expected to meet anyone we knew. This certainly is a coincidence!"
Jane joined in, replying, "As Tony said, we're really happy to see you and that you remember us, but meeting you is not really a coincidence!"
"No, we searched for you on the old cruise line, but couldn't find you, of course. We finally tracked you down by getting in touch with the cruise director of the ship where we met you. We're on this ship because you are on it! Could we go somewhere quieter where we could explain?"
Katie and Matt looked at each, completely puzzled. Matt answered, "I don't know why we're so important, but, sure. Our suite is down one deck and we can talk there. I assure you, you have piqued my curiosity!"
As they entered the suite, Matt exclaimed, "Wow, this is nice! You've moved up in the world! Our stateroom is nice, but this is luxurious!"
"Yeah, I was able to negotiate a really good deal. Katie's act is extremely popular and is in demand. Now, what on earth is going on?"
It was Tony who explained. "Ok. We have a real problem. We were married three years ago. A year before we met you. We both want kids, probably several of them, but nothing has happened. We finally decided that something was wrong and we both had medical checkups. Everything seemed to be fine - viable eggs and plentiful and potent sperm, but still nothing. We even went to...what was that specialist title?"
"A reproductive endocrinologist."
"Oh, yeah. In any case, the only thing that came out of all of this was that they thought that our principle problem was tension. Maybe you'll recall that Katie hypnotized Jane last time for just that. She just couldn't relax and tension was causing all kinds of physical problems - couldn't sleep, continually having eating and digesting difficulties, losing weight, etc. No one could help and she was getting worse until you had three or four sessions with her and she's been fine ever since. She's still in good shape except when she's fertile and we're trying to get her pregnant. We tried another hypnotist but no result. So, we've tracked you down and chose this cruise because you are on it and that she will be fertile during it!