An hour later,

Digital workshop, Chateau Svengali,

“You’re gonna need to watch your step in here.” I said as I guided my mom and sister inside. It was a large space filled with CPU towers, power strips and the makings of a server room. Sleepwalkers worked at computer desks or in front of computer hardware making adjustments.

“This is where we work on less…analogue tech.” I told them. “We’ve got plans for an app that can make your phone a hypnotic projector and we’re trying to put together a messenger called ‘Dreamer’ but we’re still hitting road bumps.”

“What’s the issue?” Ava asked.

“We need Sleepwalkers who specialize in programming apps.” said a Sleepwalker sitting near a window typing at her computer.

“Everyone, this is Danielle, she’s pretty much our chief computer tech.” I told them.

“Look, it’s always an honor to have the Harpy drop by but could you come back when things aren’t so busy?”

“If it’s specialists you need, I can help with that.” my mom said.

“Really?” Danielle asked. My mom nodded.

“Part of my visit is to show Hypnoman the assets we can provide him. One of them is a roster of every woman working for the Braddock Foundation in this city. I think you should have a list of prospects very soon.”

“That would be amazing.” Danielle said with a sigh. “Look, I’m sorry, but we really need to keep disruptions in here to the minimum. The propaganda design center’s got loads of neat stuff and the Sleepwalkers there would love to get your opinions on.”

“I’ll take them there. Sorry for intruding.”

“You make propaganda?” Ava asked.

“You betcha,” Darlene replied. “Both for Sleepwalkers and potential recruits. We’ll take ya to the factory floor.”

I took them to a room near the study that looked like an open office at a marketing firm. There were a few green screens to add effects in post production.

“Hi, Nina!” I said to a blonde girl in a black and green dress. She smiled and walked over to us.

“Harpy! So nice to see you here!”

“Nina’s head of our ‘marketing team’” I told my mom and Ava. “Nina, this is my mom and sister Ava.”

“Hiya!” she said, shaking my mom and Ava’s hands. “I worked at a few big firms till I became a Sleepwalker!” she said, cheerfully.

“My daughter says you have a few things in the pipeline.”

“Yep! We’ve put together this video we’re making with particularly suggestible girls in mind. Wanna see?”

I nodded and she sat us down in front of a laptop with a video player ready.

After she clicked something, we saw the image of a smiling asian woman in her twenties wearing a golden one piece swimsuit with a black spiral pattern and some heels that looked like they might be worn by a stripper. She was sitting in an egg chair in front of a pool.

“Hello there.” the girl said in a placid tone. We could see a rainbow spiral in the background. “Don’t worry, don’t get scared. Just relax, stare into the spiral and listen to my voice. Now, I used to be a lot like you, embarrassed of how suggestible I was. People would laugh at how easy it was to talk me into things. My own boyfriend even joked that I was more comfortable being told what to think instead of doing it for myself. Now, I know that he was correct.”

Her smile widened.

“After I fell under Hypnoman’s control, I realized I was a natural hench-girl, destined to be a goon. Born to be a Sleepwalker. That can be you too. All you have to do is accept who you are. Accept that you are naturally compliant, suggestible, easy to hypnotize. All you have to do is submit.”

The video ended and Nina smiled.

“You like it? We’re gonna be uploading it soon.”

“She's so peaceful.” Darlene said.

“You can meet her later if you want,” said Lexi. “I’ve seen her ‘round.”

“I think I’d like that,” said Ava. “Got anymore?” my mom asked Nina.

“This right here is an upcoming propaganda video for Trance Chic.” She clicked a few more tabs and brought up another file. The video began with footage of girls at an outdoor market smiling and looking over clothing displays.

“Ladies, clothing talks.” a young woman’s voice said in a blissful tone. “It’s an advertisement of who you are, what you hold dear.”

“I like being part of a team.” said a redhead in a bikini.

“I love a ‘take charge’ kinda guy.” said a young black woman in a tank top and sunglasses.

“I want a style that screams ‘subservient’.” an asian girl with short hair and a basketball jersey chimed.

“A style that says few things make me happier than following orders.” said a beaming woman in a hijab.

“A style that says I am the obedient thrall of a supervillain.” added a latina in a biker vest. The display then showed all the girl’s faces next to each other like a series of portraits.

“We want Trance Chic!” they all shouted as one. My mom laughed.

“I dunno about you but I think I want to try out Trance Chic too.” she said with a grin.

“Count me in!” Ava piped up.

“Say no more.” I said with a smile. “Follow me.”

Half an hour later,

Design studio, Chateau Svengali

I clapped my hands.

“Alright ladies, let’s see what you got!” I said. Ava and my mother both came out from behind a large red curtain. Ava was wearing a teal tank top that had the word ‘suggestible’ in black letters. She twirled to show that her jean shorts had spirals on the back part of it. On her feet were sandals that had the words ‘slave girl’ on the straps.

My mom was dressed in a red shirt that showed a smiling woman with swirls in her eyes with the caption ‘brainwash me baby’, black jeans with a spiral belt buckle and a necklace of black and green spirals.

“You two look amazing!” I shouted.

“Agreed.” said a male voice from behind me. I turned and smiled. Hypnoman was standing in the doorway looking us over.

I bowed to Hypnoman and gestured to my guests.

“Master, I’d like to introduce you to Fiona and Ava Braddock.”

“It’s a pleasure.” my mom said.

“Sweet!” Ava shouted. “Seeing you just made my day!”

Hypnoman stared at my mom.

“You didn’t tell me your mother was so alluring.” he said to me.

“I wanted to surprise you, master.” He took my mother’s hand and pulled her close.

“You are a statuesque stunner, my my slave.”

My mom blushed and giggled.

“Your words honor me, master.”

“You have brought the documents I requested?”

“Yes, master. I also have a drive with more information on it.”

“Good. We will conduct our business at the pool. It would be good to get some sun after spending so many hours in the workshop.”

“Sounds like a plan, master!” Ava cheered.