"Hello?"

"Hello, Mallory. It's Cyril."

"Oh, hi, Cyril. I haven't heard from you in a while. What's up?"

"I've decided to make you my hypno-slave."

"Um, well, that would've been cool a couple of years ago. But I'm not into that any more. So, no thanks."

"It doesn't matter if you're into it. I'm going to hypnotize you and make you serve and obey me."

"Look, Cyril, I wish we'd had this call a long time ago. Back in the day, you and I could've had a lot of fun being master and slave. But I have other hobbies now, and none of them involve me surrendering my mind to another person's control."

"Excellent. This is why I waited until now to call you."

"Huh?"

"I didn't want to control you when it was what you wanted. I'm going to control you against your will."

"No, you're not. I told you, I'm done with being hypnotized. I hope that means we can still be friends, but either way, you're not putting me in a trance and messing with my head."

"Do you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"That faint noise on the line?"

"Hm...yeah, I hear a slight buzz. It fades in and out. It's like static or something."

"Not static. It's a worm."

"A worm?"

"A subliminal worm, slowly but surely creeping into your subconscious. It won't do much, just begin to erode your will and take you to the edge of suggestibility."

"What are you talking about?"

"Mallory, put your phone on speaker. Then turn on your TV and go to channel 999."

"This is stupid, Cyril. I said I wasn't going to let you hypnotize me, and I'm also not going to role-play some hypno-fantasy of yours. I don't want to be rude, but I think we shouldn't talk any more if you're going to disregard my wishes."

"Your voice sounds different. Are you on speaker?"

"Yeah, I am. But not because of your supposed subliminal suggestion. I couldn't hear you well over that static."

"I see. And is your TV on?"

"Yes. But again, not because you told me to turn it on. I want to prove to you that there's nothing showing on channel 999."

"So you're on that channel?"

"Yeah."

"And nothing's on it?"

"Nope. Just static."

"Look closer."

"Seriously? Fine. Like I said, nothing--oh. Is that...a pattern in the static?"

"What kind of pattern?"

"I think it's a...spiral. Oh my gosh. No, Cyril, I don't want--"

"Keep looking at the spiral, Mallory. Don't look away from it."

"No...no...I need to look away..."

"Don't look away from it."

"Don't...don't look away from it."

"Stare closely at it. Let it fill your vision."

"Fill my vision."

"Let it fill your mind."

"Fill my mind."

"The spiral is hypnotizing you, Mallory."

"Hypnotizing me."

"You are hypnotized. You must do what I say."

"Must do what you say."

"Good girl. Now, tell me what you're wearing."

"I'm wearing a tank top, leggings, socks, and slippers."

"Take off the slippers and socks. Tell me when they're off and you're barefoot."

"They're off. I'm barefoot."

"Good. You will always be barefoot when you serve me as my hypno-slave."

"I will always be barefoot when I serve you as your hypno-slave."

"Is there a chair or couch in front of your TV?"

"Yes. A couch."

"Sit on it and put your feet up."

"I'm sitting on it with my feet up."

"Very good. Now that you are hypnotized, it's time to brainwash you into an obedient hypno-slave. But I don't want to do that over the phone. No, I want to be there in person so that I can fully enjoy the process of bending you to my will. Text me your address."

"I have texted it to you."

"All right. I will head over now. Until I arrive, stay on the couch and continue watching the spiral. It will keep your will subverted and your mind open to suggestion. See you soon, my hypno-slave."

"See you soon...Master."