This is the 5th chapter in The Power of Suggestion series. All characters in this story are over 18 years of age. This story follows Thomas, who is exploring his newfound "power of suggestion" and its limitations. As always, I welcome comments and criticism. I'm still fairly new to writing, but am enjoying it so far. Let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions where you'd like to see the story go. I've included a brief summary of events, but I'd still suggest reading the story from the beginning so that everything makes sense. Enjoy!
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Laying face down on the pavement with a gun pointed at him was not a situation that Thomas thought he would have found himself in today, though he could have said the same about most of the last two days. His newfound power of suggestion had, so far, not caused him any unwanted trouble, but he was now in a situation that he was unsure how to get out of. To make matters worse his powers seemed to no longer work as neither Mary nor Liz had follows his latest instructions. Mary, still nude, had also dropped to the pavement at the police officer's shout. The nude Liz, still staring out the window from inside the convenience store quickly ducked out of sight when the officer pulled his gun, but not before he got a full view of her. Steph, not wanting to escalate the situation, remained motionless in handcuffs, still bent over the hood of the police car and wearing nothing below her waist.
"Now I need someone to explain what's going on here and it better make sense!" The officer yelled. His training had obviously not prepared him for a situation as unique as the one he currently found himself in. Thomas only hoped that he had not already called for backup. "You! In the back!" he said, addressing Mary, "Why are you naked?"
Steph looked over at Thomas and mouthed what looked like "Do something!"
Thomas started to speak, "Officer I--," but was cut off immediately.
"Did I say you could speak!?"
Thomas decided it was better not to risk disobeying this (understandibly) confused man while he was holding a loaded firearm, especially with his power on the fritz.
It was Mary that spoke next.
"Sir, I can see you're confused, but we're not doing anything wrong. We're not carrying any weapons. I mean...where would I even keep one?"
"Not doing anything wrong? You're naked in a public place. That's illegal." The officer replied. "On top of that, this one" Gesturing towards Steph, "was...pleasuring herself in front of a convenience store!"
Thomas gave Steph a quick glance. That would explain why she was bottomless.
"I was in my car!" Steph exclaimed. "That's not pub--"
A quick look from the officer stopped her mid-sentence.
"OK. HERE'S WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN." The officer shouted. "THE TWO OF YOU OVER THERE ARE GOING TO STAND UP AND FACE THE WALL WITH YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK. I'M GOING TO COME UP AND CUFF YOU BOTH SO I CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON. MOVE SLOWLY. NO SUDDEN MOVEMENTS."
Thomas and Mary followed his instructions and faced the wall. The officer brought Steph over and lined her up next to the two of them. He pulled out two more sets of handcuffs and cuffed both Thomas and Mary.
"Now none of you move!" The officer said as he moved towards the convenience store door then shouted, "You! Girl hiding in the store! Get out here! NOW!"
Liz had obviously not moved from her hiding spot under the window as just a second later, the front door open and out came Liz with her hands up.
"Up against the wall with the other three!" The policeman yelled. Liz did as she was told and was quickly cuffed as well.
It would have been a sight to behold. Three bare assed women lined up, two of which were completely naked, and Thomas, fully clothed.
"Now could someone please explain to me what's going on!?" The officer seemed to relax ever so slightly now that all 4 of his suspects were safely cuffed. "You with the pants! Care to explain?"
As there was no one else currently wearing pants...or even underpants...Thomas once again began to speak.
"Officer what is the problem?" A dumb question, Thomas knew, but the only thing he could think to say.
"The PROBLEM, sir, is that there are 3 women either nude or partially nude in PUBLIC!" The officer replied.
"Well, technically Liz was inside and you forced her into public. I don't know the legality of that and I don't want to, but at the very least she should be ok right?" Thomas asked. Any way to make this situation slightly more manageable would be welcome.
Something seemed to change in the officer which gave Thomas a slight bit of relief.
"I suppose you didn't actually do anything wrong. Since this is a private business you weren't technically in public and I...may have jumped the gun on that one...so to speak." The officer said apologetically to Liz. "You're free to go."
Thomas now realized that his powers were still in play and started thinking up a solution.
As Liz was being uncuffed, Thomas turned his head towards her and said, "You should really wear clothes at work!"
Liz nodded and went back inside. He didn't know if it would work, but a minute or so later he saw a glimpse of Liz through he window, this time wearing her bikini. "At least it's something." Thomas thought to himself before losing sight of her again.
With that situation resolved...albeit not completely, Thomas turned his attention and powers back to the main problem at hand. He had to figure out a way to prevent the three of them from being arrested and/or possibly shot.
"Officer do you have a problem with nudity?" Thomas directed his question at the officer.
"I only have a problem with it when it breaks the law!" He quickly replied.
"So if it wasn't against the law...it would be ok?" Thomas continued.
"If it wasn't against the law then everybody would be doing it!" The officer shot back.
"So you're saying if it wasn't against the law...YOU would be doing it?" Thomas's plan was now coming together.