The Power, Part 3

The fictional account contains adult language and themes. If such language
and themes offend you, please do not read further.  The persons and events
described in this work are purely fictional.  Any similarity to actual
persons or events is strictly coincidental.  Copyright 2004 by SSTORYMAN.
All rights reserved.  Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this story in
any form and for any purpose as long as this notice is reproduced and no
financial remuneration is received, directly or indirectly, by the person
reproducing it.

THE POWER

3.	The True Power.

   Gregory was already at Friday's when Becky arrived.  They exchanged
pleasantries while waiting for a table.  Then they were seated in the smoking
section.

   Becky wore a very tight, low-cut, short, sleeveless black dress.  It
clung to her body and emphasized every curve of her breasts and hips.  The
dress ended six inches above her knees.  It displayed plenty of leg.
Becky's wavy, long, dark brown hair fell luxuriously over her shoulders.
She seemed happy and relaxed.  She looked good and that in turn made Gregory
happy.

   "You look great, Becky," Gregory said admiringly.  "You are such a
pretty girl."

   "Thanks, Gregory.  You're not bad looking yourself."  She blushed.
"I must admit I've been looking forward to our dinner."  She opened her
purse and paused.  "Hey, do you mind if I have a cigarette before we order?
I'd really like one!"

   Gregory shook his head.  "No, of course I don't mind," he said with
a grin.  "I don't mind at all.  In fact I'll join you."  He reached into
the pocket of his jacket to retrieve his own pack.

   "I was hoping you'd smoke with me," Becky beamed.  "I think it's
cool that you smoke, too, Gregory.  In fact I'd like to talk about smoking
some more if you don't mind.  Sort of to follow up to our last discussion?"

   "It'd be my pleasure.  I'm glad to talk about _anything_ with you,
Becky."  He watched his pretty date remove a soft pack of Marlboro Lights
100's from her purse.  Before she set it on the table she shook one out and
put it between her lips.  Before she got her lighter, however, Gregory had
his ready.

   "Thank you," she grinned, graciously accepting the light.  Her
cheeks caved in as she took her first puff.  It was long and hard.  Gregory
felt his cock respond in kind.

   Becky finally removed the cigarette from her lips and inhaled the
smoke deep inside her lungs.  In response her chest rose up underneath her
tight black dress.  "God," she sighed.  "That's better."  She tipped her
head to the side and with a smile slowly and delicately released a thick
stream of smoke through her pursed lips.  There was a trace of red lipstick
on the filter of her 100 millimeter cigarette.

   Gregory grinned back.  "Yesterday you said you love to smoke, Becky.
That's obvious from looking at you right now."  He shook a cigarette of his
own from his pack and prepared to join her.

   "Oh my God," Becky squealed.  "You smoke menthols!"

   "Yeah," he replied, looking at his pack of Salem 100's.  "So
what?"

   "It's just funny," she went on as he lit up.  "Almost all my
girlfriends who smoke, they smoke menthols.  I was always a freak because I
didn't.  But all the guys I ever dated who smoke hated menthols.  I've
never known a guy who smokes menthols.  That's all."

   "It does seem that more women than men smoke menthols," he agreed,
looking at the Salem in his hand.  "I don't know why.  So then, why didn't
you follow your girlfriends' lead?"

   "I don't know," Becky smiled coyly.  "I just like these better I
guess.  I mean, I don't mind smoking menthols or anything.  Actually
they're nice for a change of pace every once in a while.  Occasionally I bum
one of my roommate's menthols.  But for a steady diet I like the pure
tobacco taste."  She giggled.  "God, listen to me!  I sound like a
commercial!"

   Gregory nodded.  "Don't worry.  I think it's very becoming when a
woman talks about things that give her pleasure.  By the way, Becky,
yesterday you were smoking Marlboro Ultra Lights.  Did you change brands?"

   She nodded while pausing for another long lavish drag.  "Oh yeah, I
switched," she admitted.  "These are _so_ much better!  I smoked nasty
ultra lights for about a year.  Donna, my roommate, was the one who talked me
into smoking `em.  She says ultra lights aren't as bad.  But after
yesterday I decided if I was going to keep smoking, and I am, I should smoke
a brand I truly enjoy."  She gave him a mischievous frown.  "Ultra lights
are like sucking air, if you know what I mean."

   "Yes, I know what you mean," Gregory readily agreed.  "They really
suck."  They both laughed.  "So Becky, do you usually smoke 100's?"  He
wanted to hear her discuss the change she made due to his hypnotic prompting.

   "Honestly, no, I never smoked these before," she admitted.  "But
when I went to buy a pack of Marlboro Lights I suddenly realized the 100's
are a better buy because they last longer.  I can smoke longer without
smoking more.  I like that."  She looked at the cigarette in her hand.
"Plus, and I never really noticed this before, 100's are more elegant.  I
think I'll stick with them from now on."

   "I agree with that, too.  Anything that makes a cigarette break
longer is good.  I'm so glad you've realized that.  I'm sure you'll be
happy smoking the 100's."

   "I'm so glad for what happened yesterday," Becky smiled.  "It
helped me see that I really do love to smoke.  I didn't want to quit; not
really.  It was mostly my roommate's idea.  But now I'm in touch with how I
really feel so I suspect I'll never quit.  Ever."

   Gregory raised his eyebrows.  "Did you say your roommate smokes?"

   Becky nodded vigorously.  "Oh yeah, Donna smokes.  She and I have
roomed together since sophomore year.  We both got paired with non-smokers
freshman year.  I wanted to live with another smoker and so did she.  So we
got together.  At first it was great.  But about a year ago something
happened.  I don't know what did it.  Donna changed.  She's always loved to
smoke and I know she still does.  When we started rooming together she smoked
all the time.  She still smokes a lot.  But for the last year she's made
noises about quitting.  It's too bad.  She's afraid of the health thing,
which I now think is stupid."

   "And why is that?"

   "Because the anti-smoking rhetoric we hear nowadays is all
bullshit," Becky smiled confidently.  "Nothing bad will happen to us
because we smoke.  I figure that the negative stuff, if anything, won't
happen to us for years, if ever.  And I'm sure not going to quit doing
something I enjoy just because of the paranoid delusions of the anti-smoking
media.  They're assholes!"

   "You _are_ a girl after my own heart, Becky," Gregory sighed
happily.  "That's why we get along so well.  It's just too bad your
roommate doesn't understand she's being taken advantage of.  I hate to see
a young woman lose the enjoyment of her smoking habit because of those idiots
in the media.  Smoking's a wonderful way to relax and enjoy yourself.  I'm
sure you agree."

   Becky was in the midst of a long drag on her cigarette.  "Oh, I
totally agree," she replied, sucking smoke into her lungs once more.
"Maybe you could talk with Donna sometime.  In fact, maybe you can do it
tonight.  She encouraged me to bring you by our apartment after dinner.
She'd like to meet you.  You can talk with Donna about smoking.  God, if you
could hypnotize her like you did me, I know she'd discover she doesn't
really want to quit.  Deep down, I know she agrees with us, Gregory.  I'd
love to see you set her straight, the way you helped me."

   Gregory felt his cock stiffen.  "I'd love to help.  Many smokers
need to be set free from being uptight about their own nicotine addiction.
You sound like you're done apologizing for your habit, Becky.  That's
better from a mental health standpoint than feeling guilt-ridden  If you're
going to smoke anyway there's no point in feeling guilty about it, is
there?"

   "None whatsoever," she nodded.  At that moment their server came to
take their drink orders.  The waitress was a pretty college student with a
nice ass.  Nice, Gregory noticed, but nowhere near as nice as the tight
little ass on the beautiful young brunette sitting across the table in the
skintight black dress!

   As soon as the server left Becky crushed her cigarette in the ashtray
and reached for her pack again.  "I love smoking and drinking beer," she
giggled.  "If you don't mind I'm gonna have another one."  She put
another Marlboro Light 100 between her lips.

   Gregory reached for his lighter and lit her up again.  "Why should I
mind?" he asked rhetorically.  "I love to see you enjoy herself, Becky.  If
smoking more makes you happy, I hope you'll feel free to smoke as much and
as often as you want while you're with me."

   Becky released a long plume of smoke in the air from her red lips.
"Wow, thanks.  God, it's great being with a guy who doesn't mind me
smoking.  It's a nice change from some of my past dates."  She returned the
freshly lit cigarette to her lips for another long and powerful drag and
inhaled the smoke, holding it inside her lithe body.  She cocked her head and
looked at him, while her smoldering cigarette continued to burn in her right
hand.  "Hearing you say I should smoke as much and as often as I want is
music to my ears, Gregory."  She smiled and pursed her lips forcing yet
another voluminous exhale into the air between them.

   "I'm glad we get along," he nodded.  He picked up his pack of
Salems and lit a second cigarette, too.  "Do you smoke a lot?"

   With her cigarette in her lips for another drag, Becky signaled her
response by giving a thumbs up sign with her free hand.  "Oh yeah," she
finally answered almost flippantly, taking the cigarette from her lips and
sucking smoke into her chest.  "I didn't tell you the truth yesterday.
Actually I smoke between one and two packs every day.  Now that I stopped
worrying about it I'm sure it'll be closer to two packs now, maybe more.
I'm done depriving myself.  I'll smoke just as much as I feel like from now
on.  As I said yesterday, Gregory, the truth is I _want_ to smoke almost all
the time."  Her candid admission and the sight of thick, white smoke
escaping from her lips made Gregory's cock stiffen substantially.

   He smiled.  "I'm a believer in the fact that people should do what
they want, Becky.  So if smoking more gives you pleasure, then by all means
you should."

   "God, you're too good to be true," she laughed.  "Where've you
been all my life?"

   "Waiting for you," he answered.  "Simply waiting for you, Becky."

   They enjoyed dinner.  Everything went just as Gregory hoped.  His
ready acceptance of Becky's smoking habit and her new desire to indulge
without restraint made it a great evening for them both.  Becky had three
cigarettes before dinner and four after.  Gregory tried to keep up but found
it hard to match her aggressive pace.  The sight of her over and over
lighting up Marlboro Lights 100's and sucking smoke into her lungs made his
crotch stand at attention the whole time.

   Finally Becky suggested they go back to her place.  "I want you to
meet Donna.  Maybe you can talk some sense into her.  Deep down I know she
loves to smoke like I do.  She's just confused.  She needs help coming to
terms with being a smoker and accepting it.  That's all."

   Gregory smiled as they rose from the table.  "I'd love to help
Donna," he admitted.  "I like to see people set free from guilt.  Guilt is
a terrible thing."

   "You're so sweet, Gregory," she sighed as he helped her put on her
jacket.  "I know Donna will like you as much as I do.  Well, actually, I
hope she won't like you quite _that_ much."  She batted her eyes and smiled
sweetly.

   He smiled back.  "Becky, you're unbelievable!  I hope you don't
think I'm insincere.  But I really like you.  You're an amazing woman.
I'm so glad we met and made this connection."

   The cool evening breeze hit their faces as they walked into the
night.  "Me, too, Gregory."

   When they arrived at her apartment Donna was indeed waiting.  But her
attitude wasn't as receptive as Becky predicted.

   "So, you're the bastard who hypnotized Becky?"  Donna shot him an
accusing glance.  "I've got a bone to pick with you, buster."  She was
clearly upset.  Becky was embarrassed.

   Gregory quickly sized up his opponent.  Donna wore a sweatshirt and
sweat pants but her casual attire couldn't conceal her marvelous physical
appearance.  She was, in a word, voluptuously good-looking.  Her flashing
blue eyes and pretty face were set off by fluffy blond hair.  By the chair
where she sat was an ashtray and a half-empty pack of Merit Menthol Ultra
Lights.  The ashtray was full.  This girl was obviously a smoker!

   "Donna, I don't know why you're upset," Gregory countered.  "I
only just met Becky.  I like her a lot.  She found the hypnosis session
helpful.  Do you have a problem with that?"

   "Yes, I do," Donna said, her eyes blazing.  "I'm a psych major
and I know how hypnosis can be used and abused.  I seriously doubt you're
supposed to hypnotize people in your role as an intake counselor for the SAP.
Am I right?"

   Ouch!  Donna had him dead to rights.  "Ordinarily that's true.  I
just felt that in Becky's case -."

   "Bullshit.  If the your boss knew you hypnotized people who came for
help he'd fire your ass in a heartbeat.  Isn't that true?"

   Gregory said nothing.  Shit!  She was right, of course.

   "Now wait a minute," Becky interjected.  "Gregory can only get in
trouble if someone complains.  Right?  Well, I'm not complaining.  Being
hypnotized was real helpful in my case.  I don't know what your problem is."

   Donna looked at her roommate.  "Here's my problem.  You don't know
what you believe anymore.  I think this bastard filled your head with his own
sick post-hypnotic suggestions.  He manipulated you into believing you don't
want to quit smoking even though that's not true.  You _do_ want to quit; at
least you did until yesterday.  We talked about it before you went to the
appointment.  But when you came back you were totally different.  There's
only one explanation as far as I can tell.  That is, Gregory filled your head
with pro-smoking propaganda while you were under his power.  I can't imagine
why but I bet anything I'm right."

   Becky turned and looked at Gregory.  "That's total bullshit.  Tell
her it's not true, Greg."

   He smiled at Donna, trying to look cool, calm and collected.
"Donna, of course I didn't trick Becky.  My goal was to help her understand
her feelings.  You haven't considered the other possibility.  That is, Becky
really _does_ want to keep smoking and her interest in quitting was only due
to your pushing her."  He motioned toward the full ashtray beside the blond
girl.  "Anyhow, I don't know why you're so upset.  You obviously smoke all
the time."

   "That's right, I do smoke all the time," she answered defiantly.
"But I wish to God I didn't have to.  I wish I could quit.  I wish I'd
never gotten hooked on those damn things.  If there was a way to go back and
change that stupid decision I made when I tried my first cigarette at
fifteen, then I sure as hell would!"

   Becky had taken a seat.  She opened her purse and took her pack of
Marlboro Lights 100's.  She put one in her mouth and without apologizing lit
up.  "Oh Donna, I hardly think even _you_ believe that," she muttered
sarcastically with smoke flowing from her pretty mouth.  "Everyday I watch
you literally attack your cigarettes after you go without for any time at
all.  I see how much relief you get from smoking.  You don't hate it, Donna.
You _love_ it.  C'mon, admit it.  We all do.  It's true, isn't it?"

   "No, it's not," her roommate countered forcefully, nearly in
tears.  "I _do_ need to smoke.  I admit that.  But I can't help it and I
hate that.  I'm a fuckin' victim.  Becky, you only _think_ you love to smoke
because he told you to think that."  She glared.  "Damn it, Gregory, I dare
you to hypnotize Becky a second time and reverse all the post-hypnotic
suggestions you put in her head yesterday.  Because if you didn't plant any
thoughts in her head you'd be perfectly willing to release her.  Wouldn't
you?"

   Gregory stuttered.  "Well, I guess I could -."

   "No, you _definitely_ could.  But you're afraid.  You're afraid
she'll have mastery of her will again and she'll want to quit smoking.  I
don't know what made you twist her innocent mind, Gregory, but I tell you
what.  If you don't release Becky from your post-hypnotic suggestions I'll
talk to your supervisor Monday morning and get you fired."

   Becky interrupted.  "Wait," she said calmly.  "I'm sure Gregory
didn't put any post-hypnotic whatever-you-said inside my head.  The truth is
I've always loved to smoke.  You know that, Donna.  I was willing to try and
quit but only because you pressured me.  That was it.  Gregory only made me
brave enough to tell you to go to hell!"  She batted her eyes at him.  "Go
ahead, Gregory.  I don't mind if you put me under again and order me to be
released from the effects of the hypnosis.  If it'll shut Donna up let's do
it right now."

   Again Gregory was at a loss for words.  Before he could speak Becky
went on.

   "As a matter of fact, Donna, I have a better idea.  I believe in
Gregory and what he did for me yesterday.  I'm happy with what happened.
I'm willing for him to hypnotize me again and command me not to remember any
post-hypnotic whatever-that-is that you just talked about.  I'll submit to
it under one condition.  If I do it you have to be willing to take a risk,
too."

   "What are you talking about?" Donna asked.

   Becky put her cigarette to her lips for a long unrestrained drag.
"Here's the deal.  If it turns out you're wrong, Donna, and Gregory
didn't do it, then you'll let him hypnotize you just like he did me, to
help you get in touch with your love of smoking.  I think what he did for me
would be a big help to you.  Because I don't believe you really want to
quit, either.  Is it a deal?"

   "Wait a minute," Gregory objected.  "I haven't agreed to any of
this."

   "You have no choice, buster," Donna interrupted.  "If you don't
release Becky I'll get your ass fired Monday morning.  It doesn't matter if
you like it or not.  You'll do it or else."  She turned to Becky who was
releasing a long plume of smoke from her pursed lips.  "As for your idea,
roommate, that's okay.  I'll agree to it.  If what you're feeling is the
real deal I'll gladly submit to Gregory's hypnosis.  It won't make a
difference because I know I want to quit."

   Becky smiled after another hit on her cigarette.  "Okay, Gregory.
We have a deal.  As soon as I finish this cigarette, put me under.  It'll
prove that all you did yesterday was help me get in touch with my feelings."
She exhaled twin streams from her nostrils.  "I'm not afraid."

   Gregory was terrified.  He was damned if he did and damned if he
didn't.  He tried to think of some way out.  He couldn't afford to get fired.
Donna was right.  If his supervisor knew he hypnotized Becky and gave
post-hypnotic suggestions to keep her smoking his ass would be grass!  On the
other hand as soon as he released Becky from the post-hypnotic commands she'd
undoubtedly tell Donna the truth about what happened and the same thing would
take place.  He'd get fired and lose Becky, too.  He was screwed either way.
He took a deep breath.

   "Okay," he said slowly, still trying to figure a way out.  "Let's
agree on some parameters.  When I hypnotized Becky I commanded her not to
remember what we discussed while she was hypnotized.  That's standard
procedure.  I always do that.  But if I do put Becky under again so she
remembers everything that happened you guys won't tell my supervisor,
regardless.  Right?"

   "See?" Donna triumphantly announced.  "He's admitting he has
something to hide."

   "Don't be stupid," Becky laughed.  "He's only protecting his ass.
He just wants you to agree that if he lets me remember the session, you
won't fink on him and turn him in.  Right?"

   Gregory was sweating.  "That's right," he nodded.  He was
desperately trying to stay calm.  "I was out of line to hypnotize you,
Becky.  Donna's right.  I admit that."  He looked at her roommate.  "But
whatever happens when I hypnotize her a second time and let her remember
everything, you both agree not to turn me in.  In other words, I go free if
Becky gets free.  Okay?"

   "Okay," Donna reluctantly concurred.  "If you release her I won't
turn you in."

   "Well, I can't technically release her," he lied.  "There's
nothing to release her from."  Oh God, I wish that were true, he silently
told himself.  He wished he'd never gotten himself into this stupid mess.
But it was too late.  This was damage control.  "I'll make Becky remember
all the details of our session, everything said by either of us.  Then after
she comes back you can ask her yourself if she thinks I took unfair advantage
of her.  Deal?"

   Donna hesitated.  "Deal," she finally agreed.  "But I'll watch
while you put her under.  Tell her to remember everything you said.  Then
bring her back and I'll ask her exactly what happened.  We'll see if you
gave her post-hypnotic suggestions.  If you did, you agree to release them;
all of them.  If you didn't I'll let you hypnotize me just like Becky
wants."

   Gregory took a deep breath.  He was taking a risk.  But he had no
choice.  "Okay," he nervously concurred.  "Becky, as soon as you're ready
I can hypnotize you again."

   Becky smiled sweetly.  "Yesterday you said I had to be relaxed,
Gregory," she said with a quiet laugh.  "I'm busy getting myself nice and
relaxed by finishing this delicious cigarette."  She took a long drag and
inhaled the smoke into the deepest recesses of her chest.  "Donna, here's
what you'll find out.  I just love to smoke."  She exhaled.  "I hope
you're ready to deal with it."

   "I hope you're ready to learn you've been tricked, lied to, and
manipulated by this dirty, stinking bastard," the blond replied.  "The
whole thing was a set up, Becky.  He's a fuckin' pervert.  For some reason
he wants you to keep smoking.  But soon you'll know that yourself."

   Gregory had done all he could to protect himself.  He had their word
that they wouldn't turn him in.  He'd lose Becky when she remembered their
hypnosis session.  But at least he wouldn't lose his job.  "Ready?" he
asked as Becky took a last puff on her cigarette and crushed it out in the
ashtray.

   "Sure am," she smiled confidently, exhaling smoke in the process.
"Let's go."

   Gregory took a deep breath.  He did _not_ want to release Becky from
his post-hypnotic commands.  But he had no choice.  A sense of impending doom
swept over him as he began to hypnotize the lovely brunette for the second
time.

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