"Come on Nickki, you've gotta admit it'll be interesting to see if it works," Danny urged his girlfriend.

"I suppose," Nicole replied. "I've never actually seen a hypnotist in person, so it'll be cool to see how it is actually done."

Danny was relieved that she was open to this. The young college couple had just gotten back together after a few weeks away visiting their families for summer break. A professional hypnotist was performing at the campus center and he figured it would be something different from the usual dinner and a movie. Nicole had been in a depressed mood recently because one of her friends hadn't been seen since an anime convention they went to together. Danny had never met this friend, but nonetheless the couple being reunited helped to raise Nicole's spirits. Danny figured that the hypnotist's show would give them something different to talk about. Plus, Danny had something of a fascination with the idea of hypnosis and wanted to see how or if it would work in real life.

They arrived at the campus center and found a table. They were soon joined by several friends. Once 7 o'clock arrived, the hypnotist walked onto the stage. He greeted the audience and revealed the instrument he uses is a small lilac-colored crystal dangling from a gold chain. They were barely aware of it, but the crystal was immediately attention grabbing to both Danny and Nicole. Something about it was very attention drawing and they both found themselves absent-mindedly staring at it.

The hypnotist then pulled the crystal back into his hand and asked for volunteers. Several of the people at the tables around them got up and walked onto the stage. After the volunteers were lined up in a row, the hypnotist lowered the crystal once more and began to swing it. Immediately, the row of volunteers seemed utterly focused on the swinging object. They stared at it without blinking or moving a muscle.

After about a minute of swinging the crystal, the hypnotist abruptly commanded the volunteers to stand at attention. They all quickly straightened their backs and their arms snapped firmly to their sides. The hypnotist then brought each of them forward one at a time and had them perform various tasks. One guy was commanded to spin in place. A girl was told to stand on one foot and outstretch her arms as if she were a ballerina figure in a music box and hold that pose. Another guy was commanded to suck his thumb while another girl was made to imitate a chicken. The remaining volunteers were made to act like babies. The audience was greatly amused by these displays. Danny was starting to doubt that he imagined the alluring light the crystal seemed to give off.

The hypnotist, apparently satisfied with his work, issued another command. "When I snap my fingers, you will all awaken from your trances." He then snapped his middle finger and thumb together. Instantly, the volunteers stopped what they were doing with bewildered looks on their faces. The ones who had acted like babies were shocked to find themselves on the floor. The girl who had posed as a ballerina dropped her arms and legs and appeared fatigued from holding the pose. The guy who had been spinning in place fell over from dizziness. They guy who had been sucking his thumb and the girl who had been acting like a chicken were bright red with embarrassment.

The audience clapped and the volunteers made their way back to their seats. "Well, that was pretty cool," Danny said.

"It was hilarious," Nicole replied. "Still, none of the volunteers were anyone we know so I'm wondering if they were planted in the audience."

The hypnotist then asked for another round of volunteers. "Only one way to find out," Danny said as he grabbed Nicole by the hand and a moved toward the stage.

"Danny, what're you-?" She stammered. "Come on, aren't you the least bit curious whether it will work on you?" he replied. Nicole had to admit that she was despite her skepticism. So, together they walked onto the stage. Once they were lined up with the other volunteers, the hypnotist began to swing the crystal once more.

The next thing either of them remembered was a strangely loud and echoing snap. Danny found himself facing the audience with his throat feeling very dry. Nicole found herself on all fours next to one of the stages speakers.

"Give our volunteers some love!" The hypnotist shouted. The audience cheered loudly and the couple made their way back to their seats. At their table their friends were almost hysterical with laughter. Danny and Nicole soon found out why. Nicole's roommate, Torrie, pulled up a video on her phone. The video showed what had happened while the pair were onstage. Danny was singing the latest hit of a pop star that was very popular among teenage girls in an extremely high pitched voice. Nicole, meanwhile, acted as if she were a cat meowing, licking her arm, and brushing against the speaker on the stage.

Nicole went bright red with embarrassment and began stuttering excuses. Danny was fascinated, however. It had actually worked. It was possible to hypnotize someone.

The show ended and the hypnotist came off the stage to interact with the audience and take pictures. It was then that Danny noticed it. The crystal was dangling from the hypnotist's jacket pocket. An idea sprung to Danny' mind.

"Hey, why don't we go get a picture with the hypnotist?" Danny urged Nicole.

"I don't know, maybe we should head out now to beat the crowd," suggested Nicole.

"Oh come on," Danny argued. "I'll get you a new catnip ball later if you do this for me," he added playfully.

"Not funny," Nicole shot back sternly, but Danny continued to smile mischievously at her.

"Fine," She relented. "It was a fun night, I suppose."

The couple walked up to the hypnotist and asked for a picture. After snapping a few photos, the couple made to leave when suddenly Danny stumbled, grabbing on to the hypnotist's jacket for support.

"I'm so sorry, are you all right?" Danny asked the hypnotist.

"I'm fine," he replied. "How about you?"

"No worries, thanks for the pictures," Danny responded. He then turned to Nicole. "Are you ready to go?"

"Sure," Nicole replied and they made their way to the exit. As they walked out, Danny smiled to himself as he reached into his pocket. There, he felt the small crystal attached to the thin chain.