Chapter One: Mind Games
When I was in college, I was required to take some courses from the Psychology Department. Looking over the catalog choices, the most interesting looking class was Behavior Modification, which was to be taught by a famous expert in hypnosis. This class, it seemed to me, had some interesting potential. So, I signed up.
As it turned out, the class didn't teach hypnosis, but during the course, I established a rapport with the instructor and, without much coaxing, he agreed to teach me how it's done. It was not as easy as I thought it might be, but after a time I actually got pretty good... so good that he later would invite me to his classes occasionally to help demonstrate hypnosis to his students. But that's another story.
Once I had become somewhat expert with the technique, I used to entertain my friends at parties and elsewhere. I got good enough that I could mesmerize someone without them even realizing it. It proved to be quite an ice breaker. I always used my talents for good, not evil, except one time... (well, maybe two)
I had some neighbors in those days that were, as they say, a piece of work. George was an absolute jerk. He had money, connections, and an attitude. For some reason, he thought himself better than anyone around him.
To make matters worse, he had a beautiful trophy wife, Alice, who was clearly out of his league. Had it not been for his money, she would never have given him a second look. On the other hand, she was no prize, either. A more self-involved, selfish woman was never born. But beyond that, she was vicious. It was nothing to her to use her position to hurt, even destroy, others around her, mostly women.
Getting back to my story, I was invited to a neighborhood party where, to my disappointment, George and Alice also made an appearance. They made their presence felt by generally making everyone around them miserable.
At one point, someone pointed out that I knew how to hypnotize and the focus of the party suddenly shifted to me. Of course, George took the opportunity to attack me as a fraud, and challenged me to hypnotize him.
"I'm not hypnotizable" he said.
Alice was equally condescending, so I figured I could teach them a lesson and entertain my friends at the same time.
I accepted his challenge, and included Alice in the bargain. Smugly, they sat for me as I slowly brought them under. It proved to be easier than I thought, and they were completely under in less than ten minutes. I gave them some post –hypnotic suggestions, such as: when a certain word was used, they would take off their shoes, or when another word was spoken, they would sit down wherever they were, and so forth. I didn't do anything cruel, since I might get a reputation and no one would trust me afterward.
When I brought them out of their trance, they mocked me for failing and generally derided me. They didn't even notice when they suddenly had an urge to remove their shoes, or drop to the floor. I let the other party-goers have fun with them rather than control them myself.
Eventually, they realized that they were the laughing stock of the party. They angrily demanded that I undo what I had done. George was especially vitriolic. By this time I was pretty tired of their attitude and getting angry myself. So, I hatched a plan.
I had them come into an empty room at the party so I could put them under and reverse their post hypnotic tampering. But while they were under, I gave them another one: Whenever they heard the words "Palm Tree Umbrella", they would immediately go into a hypnotized state. I figured it was extremely unlikely that they would hear those words in the course of a day. Then I brought them out of their trance.
"There, good as new" I said. Not being good sports by any measure, they left the party in a huff.
Once they were gone, the rest of the group gave me a cheer. These were not popular people. I gave a few more demonstrations through the night, then went home.
The next day, I paid them a visit, ostensibly to apologize. I had all night to develop a plan of action, and I knew they would play into my hands. Always open to someone groveling before them, they allowed me into their home. Once I was face to face with both of them, I spoke the magic words: "Palm Tree Umbrella".
Instantly, they went into a trance. I guided Alice over to a chair and had her sit. I took George into the next room, so that neither could hear the instructions the other was to receive.
Then, I told George "When you hear the words 'Record Changer' you will be repulsed by your wife, Alice, even sickened. Each time you hear 'Record Changer', your revulsion will double in intensity. Only when you hear the words 'Old Time DJ' will she seem acceptable to you again, and then only gradually. You will not associate the use of those words with your subsequent actions, nor will the words seem out of place."
After giving George his instructions, I went to Alice.
"Alice", I said "when you hear the words 'Record Changer', you will become sexually aroused, and each time you hear the words 'Record Changer', your arousal will double in intensity. You will do anything to try to satisfy your excitement, but you will not be able to orgasm until you hear the words 'Elderberry'. Then, you will have an earth-shattering orgasm, unlike any you've ever had. You will not associate the use of those words with your subsequent actions, nor will the words seem out of place."
I figure that would be good for some real entertainment. For good measure, I added, for both of them, that they would, henceforth, both like me very much, and trust me unconditionally. This was to have consequences that I hadn't counted on.
My work done, I brought them back from their trances. The first sign that the suggestions were working was that they suddenly changed their attitude toward me, and invited me to stay for lunch, which I accepted. During lunch, they gossiped about our mutual neighbors and generally had nothing good to say about anyone. When I had finally had enough of their venom, I decided to test my handiwork.
"George, you wouldn't happen to have a record changer, would you? Someone gave me some old records and I have no way to play them." Alice shifted in her seat, and George suddenly looked uncomfortable sitting next to her.
"No, I don't have one of those anymore. All of my music is on CD now" he said, glancing at Alice.
"Too bad" I said. I used to have a record changer but, like you, I changed over." Now George stood up and casually moved away from Alice. Alice, on the other hand, stood to follow him.
"Do you know anyone who has a record changer?" I asked.
Alice's eyes widened at that point. Unconsciously, she licked her lips. Her hands not-so-subtly brushed her breasts. George got a nauseated look on his face and paced around the table away from Alice.
Distractedly, George said "I... I'll have to think about that. It's not something people use much anymore." Alice moved closer to George, causing him to back away.
I said, "Well, maybe I should just go buy a record changer. I'm sure they still sell them." At that, Alice's hand dropped down between her legs and she started rubbing herself, not caring that I was right there. George, now disgusted by anything about Alice, shouted "Dammit woman! You disgust me!"
I continued "Wait a minute, I think Sam has a record changer. He played some records last year at his Christmas Party!" Alice moaned out loud and started toward George. A look of horror crossed George's face and he ran from the room, retching.
