Lisa sat at her table, her feet tapping nervously. How her friends had conned her into coming here was beyond her. But here she was, and here she would remain until the show was over.

The others were laughing at some joke Sally had told. Lisa grinned even though she hadn't heard a word of it. She was too busy thinking what a waste of time this was.

The club quieted down as the emcee took the stage. The other girls turned their chairs around to see better. Lisa turned to the stage, bored, and rolled her eyes in disgust. Cathy looked at her curiously.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to introduce to you one of the most amazing women in show business today. Please believe me when I tell you that the next few hours will be an experience you will never forget - unless she tells you to."

Around the room, people chuckled knowingly, grinning at each other. Lisa yawned.

"And now, please welcome, for the first time in this area, the world's greatest stage hypnotist, Miss Anne!"

Scattered clapping, a few hoots and hollers followed the emcee as he gestured grandly to a corner of the stage, and then walked off. The crowd quickly fell silent as no one appeared. All eyes were on the corner of the stage where the emcee had been pointing to. All but Lisa's.

"Many things are not as they seem", a soft, disembodied voice said quietly. People looked around, wondering where the voice was coming from. Lisa looked around curiously.

"Things sometimes do not happen as expected." This time, the voice seemed to come from somewhere else entirely. It was a soft voice, and yet everyone seemed to feel the power, the authority, that voice carried.

Lisa took a gulp of her drink. Her friends were looking around with wide eyes, whispering to themselves.

"The mind can be easily fooled." Now the voice seemed to come from everywhere at once, and everyone in the club was looking around curiously.

"The power of the human mind is beyond comprehension", the voice said again. Lisa blinked and stared. The woman was standing right next to her.

An absolute silence fell over the patrons of the club. They all stared in amazement at the woman standing beside Lisa's table. Where had she come from? How had she appeared with no one seeing her?

Lisa was dumbfounded. From out of nowhere, this woman had suddenly appeared, standing beside her, staring at her. Lisa frowned. She would have sworn there was no one there just seconds ago. But now...

The woman's hair was black as night. Her skin was fair to the point of seeming pale. Full, red lips. A white gown, low-cut but not too revealing. A shining silver chain around her neck, with a glittering sapphire at the neck. Long, bare, slender arms. Her shoes were hidden by the gown. Her eyes glinted, deep and dark and intense. Lisa stared in surprise and a growing uneasiness.

"Tonight you will learn the power of the human mind", the woman said quietly as she held out her hand towards Lisa.

Lisa's friends watched in awe, and just a bit of jealousy, as Lisa's hand slowly floated up and was taken by the woman. Miss Anne stared into Lisa's eyes. Lisa felt trapped, but utterly unable to resist the power this woman held.

Miss Anne tugged gently, and Lisa, to her own shock, rose to her feet. She followed Miss Anne through the silent club, past the staring patrons, up onto the stage. And there she stood, staring at Miss Anne, her knees shaking, her heart beating wildly, her mind a jumble of confused thoughts.

I don't want to be here. This is all nonsense. Where the hell did she COME from? How did she do that? What is she going to do with me up here?

Lisa felt her face turning crimson.

Miss Anne's eyes swept the crowd.

"You have already entered a trance state", she said softly to the gaping onlookers. Every eye in the place was upon her, and at the moment, no one in the crowd doubted that they had indeed fallen under Miss Anne's spell.

"You may remain comfortably in trance as you watch. You may watch as I deepen the trance of my chosen one. Tonight I will teach..." Miss Anne's eyes slowly turned to Lisa, who stared back helplessly.

"Lisa", she finally stammered, as Miss Anne's eyes seemed to burn through the upper layers of her mind.

"...Lisa... of the power of the mind. Of the power of..." Miss Anne's eyes remained fixed upon Lisa's.

"...hypnosis."

Lisa was frightened. Why in the world did this woman choose me when I'm probably the only one in the place that doesn't want to be here?

Miss Anne's eyes went over the silent crowd one more time. There was no sound but that of the air conditioning system.

Miss Anne turned to Lisa once more, impaling her with those dark eyes. Lisa winced.

"You do not wish to be here", Miss Anne observed quietly.

Lisa shook her head.

"No... no, I don't."

She could not tear her eyes away from Miss Anne's. She wanted to, she tried so hard, she wanted to escape, to slink back to her seat, to leave even, but she was held by the sheer magnetic pull of those eyes.

"You do not believe in hypnosis."

"No... I don't know... not really... I don't know..."

But even as Lisa admitted, out loud, her attitude about hypnosis, she began to feel a nagging doubt, a not-so-subtle feeling she may have been wrong. Why couldn't she look away from Miss Anne's eyes? Was she going into hypnosis already?

Miss Anne nodded slowly, just a tiny bit. Her voice fell off to a barely audible whisper.

"There is nothing to fear from me, Lisa. Nothing at all to fear."

Somehow, that didn't make Lisa feel any better. She was sweating, trembling, but still unable to look away from Miss Anne's eyes.

Miss Anne fell silent. She stared intently at Lisa, her eyes boring into the younger woman's with an intensity which left Lisa almost paralyzed. Without Lisa being aware of it, without anyone being aware of it, Miss Anne began to sway back and forth, almost imperceptibly. From side to side she swayed, barely an inch at a time. The rest of the patrons were too far away to notice, and Lisa was too frightened to notice.

At least consciously.

But her unconscious mind detected the movement. A gentle, steady swaying, like Miss Anne's body was waving in a gentle breeze. The subtle motion was soothing somehow, and although Lisa was not aware of why, she actually felt herself calming somewhat, her eyes raptly following Miss Anne's as they moved back and forth, back and forth.

Miss Anne slowly reached out and once more took Lisa's hands in hers. Lisa did not, could not resist. She was surprised at how acutely aware of the contact she was, how the softness, the coolness of Miss Anne's fingers seemed so reassuring, so soothing.

Lisa stared, holding Miss Anne's hands loosely, as Miss Anne continued swaying imperceptibly back and forth. But now, the physical contact came into play, as Lisa felt Miss Anne's hands moving gently as her body swayed. She began to feel as if she was in a hammock, rocking easily back and forth as the gentle motion of Miss Anne's hands became noticeable.

No one spoke, no one moved. The patrons did indeed seem entranced by the spectacle of the woman on stage gradually overcoming her subject's resistance.

Lisa was more aware of the sensation of motion now, totally unaware that she, too, was now swaying gently back and forth in harmony with Miss Anne. Miss Anne said nothing, she merely continued moving gently and staring deep into Lisa's eyes.

After a few moments, both women were swaying a bit more to each side, the motion now visible to the patrons. Still no one said a word.

Lisa's mind was a blank. The fear was gone, the uneasy nervousness replaced by a feeling of calmness, of serenity. She was not on a stage in front of hundreds of people, being hypnotized by a strange woman. She was, instead, lying in a gently swaying hammock, being rocked so gently by a soft summer breeze.

"You have nothing to fear", Miss Anne whispered.

Lisa stared back at her.

"Nothing to fear", Lisa repeated softly. Every last trace of anxiety left her as she breathed more easily, more regularly.

"The power of the human mind is amazing", Miss Anne said.

"Amazing", Lisa agreed, her mind cloudy.

"You will learn the power of hypnosis", Miss Anne said firmly.

"Hypnosis", Lisa sighed happily. This was great. Why had she been so nervous anyway? This was just fantastic.

"You have already entered a trance state", Miss Anne said.

"Trance", Lisa agreed. She felt light-headed, almost dizzy, but it was by no means an unpleasant sensation. This was wonderful.

"You are already in a deep hypnotic trance."

"Hypnotic... trance." Lisa felt a warm glow beginning to spread through her body. Miss Anne's eyes were like dark wells, and Lisa was falling into the deep, warm, inviting darkness.

"Tell me that you are in a deep hypnotic trance."

Lisa's conscious mind tried to think about that, but Miss Anne's eyes, the soothing swaying motion, made her realize that she didn't want to even think about it. It was so hard to think. So hard. That must mean...

"I am... in a deep... hypnotic... trance."

And as Lisa spoke those words, as her foggy mind heard her own voice admit she was indeed in a deep trance, she surrendered herself to the power of Miss Anne's spell.

Miss Anne saw Lisa's eyes glaze, saw her facial muscles become slack, saw her lips part slightly.

"A deep, deep hypnotic trance", she repeated.

"A deep, deep hypnotic trance", Lisa answered in a hollow voice. She felt wonderful, not a care in the world. Falling deeper and deeper into those dark pools, with Miss Anne's hands so cool and soothing, holding hers in a gentle grip as they rocked back and forth, back and forth.

Miss Anne released Lisa's hands from her soft grip. She reached up with both hands and lightly pressed her index fingers against the dazed woman's temples. Lisa stared at her, totally enthralled.

"Lisa, you are in a deep hypnotic trance. Your body is relaxed, your mind relaxed and calm. You are ready to learn many new things from me. You will learn quickly, easily. Tell me again that you are deeply hypnotized."

Lisa's voice faltered.

"I... am... deeply hypnotized."

"Your body is totally relaxed."

"My body... is... totally relaxed."

As Lisa said that, the feeling of lightness she had noticed before blossomed into an overwhelming sensation of calmness and peace. Her body seemed to tingle, and then to dissolve completely. She drifted, held only by Miss Anne's gentle touch and her soft voice.

"Your mind is relaxed and calm."

"... My... mind... is relaxed... and... calm..."

It was so peaceful just gazing into Miss Anne's eyes. Lisa couldn't think of anything she'd rather be doing. Lisa couldn't think of anything at all.

"Lisa, you seemed to nervous when you came up on stage. Are you still nervous, Lisa?"

Nervous. How could anyone be nervous about anything that felt this wonderful? For an instant, she wondered why in the world she had been so upset about coming here, then that thought, too, was swept away by the soft fog which was spreading through her mind. "...no...", she whispered.

"You are calm, Lisa. You are relaxed. You are focused totally upon me, upon my voice. You are hypnotized, Lisa. Deeply, comfortably, totally hypnotized."

Miss Anne pressed very gently against Lisa's temples. To Lisa, it felt as if the last remaining traces of anxiety were being forced out. She sighed dreamily as she fell utterly beneath the stage hypnotist's spell.

"Yessss......", she breathed.

"Close your eyes now, Lisa, close your eyes and sink even deeper into trance, even deeper into hypnosis. Deeper and deeper. Each sound, each word, each thought sends you deeper and deeper into hypnosis. Each time you exhale you will repeat the word 'deeper' to yourself. This will in no way interfere with your hearing the sound of my voice. No other sounds or noises will be able to disturb your comfortable state of total relaxation, your deep, deep state of hypnosis." Lisa looked confused for a split second, and then her eyes closed.

Miss Anne removed her fingertips from the entranced woman's head. She stepped back and turned to the audience, bowing slightly with a smile. A smattering of light applause was quickly silenced by others who did not wish to disturb the hypnotized woman on stage. As Miss Anne's eyes darted around the room, she noticed at least three other people gaping up at her with dazed, vacant expressions.

Motioning for silence, Miss Anne returned her attention to her enthralled subject, who stood waiting patiently.

"You can feel yourself sinking deeper and deeper with each breath, can't you, Lisa?"

"Hmmmm... yess..."

"Each breath sends you deeper, each sound sends you deeper. You can feel it, feel yourself relaxing more and more, letting go more and more."

Lisa was smiling slightly now.

"...yesssss........"

"It feels so good, doesn't it, Lisa?"

"Yes."

"Do you enjoy these feelings of total relaxation, Lisa?"

"Yes."

"Would you enjoy feeling them again?"

"Yesssss....."

"That's very nice to hear, Lisa. Lisa, for the rest of the evening, each and every time you hear me say the words, 'Lisa will go into hypnosis now', you will close your eyes and allow yourself to return to this very relaxed, very deep, very comfortable state of hypnosis. This will happen naturally, easily. Instantly. You will instantly return to the hypnotic state when you hear my voice say those words tonight."

Lisa stood there quietly, smiling happily.

"And. Lisa, the first time you hear me say those words, as soon as you feel yourself entering hypnosis, your right hand will suddenly feel very light, very light, and will quickly float up towards the ceiling."

"Do you agree to these suggestions, Lisa?"

"Yes."

"Very good, Lisa. Now, Lisa, please shake my hand."

Slowly, Lisa reached out, her hand groping for Miss Anne's. They met, and Miss Anne lightly clasped Lisa's hand in her own.

"Thank you for allowing yourself to relax, Lisa. In a moment you will awaken, feeling refreshed and relaxed. You will notice, however, that no matter how hard you try, you will not be able to let go of my hand. The harder you try to let go, the more firmly you hang on."

Miss Anne then counted Lisa back to consciousness. Lisa stood there blinking, looking around, hearing the applause but not understanding. After a moment, she looked down to see her hand in Miss Anne's and her face flared.

"Thank you, Lisa. Enjoy the rest of the show."

Lisa blushed and mumbled something, and turned to leave the stage.

But her hand remained in Miss Anne's.

She paused, looking down in confusion. Laughter echoed through the club as Miss Anne smiled in amusement.

"Is there a problem, Lisa?"

Lisa's face was burning.

"I don't...I can't...my hand...it won't...."

The laughter grew louder. Lisa's face turned redder.

"Lisa, dear, I have a show to do. Thank you very much, but I have to move along."

With all her might, Lisa tugged at her hand, which remained locked firmly in Miss Anne's loose grasp. Lisa felt the panic rising.

"What did...Why can't I..."

Miss Anne turned to the audience.

"Lisa will go into hypnosis now."

Lisa blinked once. Her body trembled. Her face went blank, her eyes fluttered closed. As they did, her free hand slowly rose up into the air.

The crowd applauded loudly.

Deeply entranced, Lisa stood there, holding Miss Anne's hand, her other hand pointed skyward.

After acknowledging the applause, Miss Anne once more deepened Lisa's trance and reaffirmed her hypnotic trigger. Lisa was then awakened, and this time was allowed to scurry, red-faced, back to her seat, where she quickly ordered another drink and tried to ignore the questions of her friends.

Miss Anne then chose another volunteer, a young woman who Miss Anne had noticed in the crowd, already half in trance. It took only moments to complete the process, and the young woman was taken deep, deep into the depths of trance. Miss Anne gave the woman various suggestions, and the crowd responded enthusiastically as the woman carried them out. Then she, too, was given a trigger and awakened.

Miss Anne watched the young woman go back to her seat, smiling an embarrassed smile. She waited until the woman was sitting down, sipping her drink.

"Helen will go into hypnosis now."

Helen had just set her glass down. She looked up at Miss Anne, and her eyes blinked twice before they closed. She slowly stood up and carried out her post-hypnotic suggestion by singing the itsy-bitsy spider song. She then sat down and awakened, wondering why everyone was laughing.

The show ended, and Lisa had to answer many questions from her friends about her experience. Cathy insisted on driving home, since Lisa was still a bit lethargic after her two deep trance sessions. Lisa agreed, and they were all soon back at the dorm.

Lisa tumbled tiredly into bed. She lay there for a while, thinking about her first hypnotic experience. She had to smile in the darkness. It hadn't been so bad, she thought. She shouldn't have been so nervous. Being hypnotized was actually fun.

The phone startled her. She picked it up, gazing at the clock. Ten minutes to midnight. "Hello?"

Two rooms away, Cathy held a small tape recorder up to the phone. Lisa was startled to hear Miss Anne's voice.

"Lisa will go into hypnosis now."

Cathy listened carefully, but heard only silence. Lisa had, indeed, instantly gone into trance.

"Open your eyes, unlock your door, turn on a light, and wait for me, Lisa", Cathy whispered as she turned off the tape. She then hung up the phone and rose to her feet.

Cathy opened Lisa's door and found Lisa standing there holding the phone. Cathy gently took the phone and hung it up. She was happy to see that Lisa slept in the nude.

"You're hypnotized, aren't you, Lisa?"

"Yes."

Cathy smiled as she undid her nightgown and let it fall to the floor. She stretched, feeling her nipples harden as she gazed at Lisa's nude body, her eyes glassy in the dim light.

"You arouse me, Lisa. Your body arouses me. Your mind arouses me. Do I arouse you, Lisa? See my body exposed to you. Know that I am also exposing my mind, my desire, to you. Allow yourself to become aware of the stirrings within you as you look at my nude body. Allow yourself to express those stirrings, to act upon them."

Cathy held her breath, staring in fascination at Lisa's glazed eyes, eyes that were slowly roaming up and down Cathy's nude, trembling body. A tremor passed through Cathy as she wondered what it would feel like when another woman's hand touched her for the first time.

Lisa was moving. Slowly. Hesitantly.

Cathy closed her eyes and sighed happily as she felt Lisa's warm hand pressing against her left breast.

As the night passed, Lisa did indeed act upon her stirrings.