"...Three...two...one...asleep."

Vlada's eyes closed. Elle let the pocket watch she had been slowly, methodically swinging back and forth come to a rest.

"Vlada, you are hypnotized."

"...I am hypnotized..."

"Which means you lost the best."

"... I lost the best..."

"You said earlier that only a weak-willed, suggestible person could be hypnotized. Which means what?"

"...I am a weak-willed, suggestible person..."

"That's right. Which means you're going to do whatever I tell you to do."

"...I'm going to do whatever you tell me to do..."

"Good. To start, you're going to address me as 'Mistress.' And, you're going to  answer to 'Slave.' Understand, Slave?"

"...Yes, Mistress..."

"Good. Now, Slave, our bet wasn't for $20. It was for $100. And Sunday brunch at The Ritz. And a month of foot rubs."

"...Our best was for $100...and Sunday brunch at The Ritz...and a month of foot rubs..."

"And, the loser also had to let herself be tied up and tickle tortured whenever the winner wanted. Remind me, Slave, who is the loser?"

"...I am the loser, Mistress..."

"Yes, you certainly are."