I looked at the machine with part desire and part horror.

“Uh… uh, heh…” I stammered. “This is going to hypnotize me?”

The scientist gave me a cold stare. “It’s going to put your mind in a state of absolute suggestibility. You’ll follow orders and do what you’re told.”

This didn’t bother me. I’m into that. But…

“It looks… kinda painful.”

It was closer to a pincushion than a seat, with a harsh, metal neck clamp near the headrest. Above the seat hung a very large, intimidating helmet, like if one of those hair salon chairs had an unholy child with an iron maiden.

Behind all that was an impenetrable black box with meters and lights across it, all singing a sterile tune of perfect calibration.

The scientist held his poker face and remained silent.

“What’s it going to feel like in there?” I asked softly.

“That,” the scientist said as he put a hand on my shoulder, gently pushing in the direction of the chair, “is what you’re here to find out for us.”

“Oh…” I muttered.

My legs lost their strength and I collapsed into the chair. I felt like I must have been pale as a ghost with shock. If the scientist saw that, he didn’t comment on it. Instead, he started fastening my wrists and ankles into place, then the clamp onto my neck, like a collar. I heard the helmet lowering onto my head as he stepped towards his console.

Thankfully, none of it hurt. I don’t know if it actually didn’t hurt or if my adrenaline was numbing it.

“Ready?” the scientist asked.

A whimper was all I could muster.

The scientist flipped a switch, and I felt a needle gently poke the back of my neck, and then -

I stopped caring.

I breathed.

I distantly noticed my limbs going limp.

I leaned back.

I started hearing strange music, unlike any musical style I could have placed. It sounded mesmerizing.

My eyes rolled back. My mouth slacked open.

Small, subliminal voices played within the music. I could not understand them, but I felt them command me nonetheless.

They made me relaxed.

They made me soft.

They made me euphoric.

They made me aroused.

They made me obey.

They made me docile…

They… made me… sleeeeep…

~

A comfortable eternity passed before the music went away. I remained entranced.

I stood, feeling the scientist’s words move me into place.

I removed my clothes because I was told to.

I followed the scientist because I was told to.

I lay down in a bed because I was told to.

As a multitude of other scientists looked down upon me, one of them told me to sleep.

And I obeyed.