The chain and amulet I have sitting on my desk draw my eyes toward them like a black hole. Excitement flows through me when I catch myself staring at them yet again. I remember how the old man who gave them to me told me about their powers. He had grabbed me one day on my way home from work and pulled me behind a tree, slapping them into my hand. According to him, all I needed to do was to swing the amulet back and fourth twice in front of a woman and she would be entirely under my control.
I stayed silent in shocked surprise as he said he had been watching me. He told me how now he was old, he felt I was the perfect man to give it to. I felt uncomfortable and paranoid for months wondering if he was still watching me. I tossed it in a drawer when I got home and after a while I wound up forgetting all about it, until one day, a woman came knocking at my door.
I rummaged in my junk drawer looking for some change to give her for her charity when I found the amulet. I remember thinking why not try it, if it doesn't work I can give it to her and get rid of some junk. I remember so clearly how her eyes changed as the amulet completed its second swing. I was so shocked watching all emotion suddenly drop from her face that all I could think to command her to do was to never come back to my home. I gaped at her back as without a word she turned and continued to the next house.
I thought about my new power endlessly but failed to find another chance to use it. That is until, about a month after starting a new job I learned my boss, Connie, was a feminist. Soon after a plan started forming in my mind. I began to work my way into Connie's good graces and build up her trust in me.
After months of boring friendly banter and working late together, I finally feel she is comfortable enough with me to implement my plan. The day seems to drag on as I wait for the work day to end and my coworkers to start trickling out. As the boss with a bosses workload, its not uncommon for Connie to stay hours after everyone else has left. I've made a point of staying late and offering Connie help the last few months so it doesn't seem odd when I stay. It also had the added benefit of helping strengthen Connie's trust in me.
I grin as the last of my coworkers finally calls out his goodbye and I know its time. I grab the pendant and force myself to stay casual as I walk over to Connie's office. My blood is pumping and I'm struggling to not show my excitement as I clear my throat to get Connie's attention.
"Hey Connie," I greet as I notice her frazzled appearance. It must have been a hard day. I grin as I lean against her door frame and think about how much harder her day is about to get.
"You look like you could use a little break. I learned a cool trick recently, want me to show you? I promise it will only take a second and then, if you're nice, maybe I will help you finish the last of your work?" I wink and she smiles at me, immediately looking more relaxed. I feel triumph surge through me as I grow more sure my plan will work.
"Sure Steve," she says smiling tiredly, "come on in and show me." She pushes back from her desk and turns her chair to the guest chair in the room and gestures for me to sit.
"I keep trying to get my boss to promote you to my secretary so I can have less on my plate but I will be darned if they listen." She sighs. "It would be nice to get out of here early for once." I feel rage surge through me at the thought of being her secretary. How dare she think I, a man and her superior in every way, should wait on her.
Thinking of how I'm about to adjust her thought process soon is all that keeps my expression from souring. I give her a thin smile as I sit down and lean toward her. I pull the chain and amulet out of my pocket and drape them across my hand to show her.
"I bought this at an antique store a while ago," I lied. "The lady said it has a charm on it that helps relax people. I tried it on Chris earlier and I swear I could see it take effect!" I exclaim, faking excitement even as Connie looks at me doubtfully.
"No really, I swear its true!" I say chuckling. "Seriously, all you have to do is watch the pendant and let it work its magic!" Connie's smile is now full of amusement as she agrees. Adrenaline shoots through me as I have her lean back in her chair and relax. I swing the pendant slowly in front of her. As soon as the second swing completes all emotion drops from Connie's face and my heart skips a beat in excitement. I've never been so hard in my life.
"Connie?" I ask tentatively, testing the waters.
"Yes Steve?" Connie asks sounding almost normal except for a lack of emotion.
