Chapter #4The Hypno Watch by: Ëtalfni   "Here we are," said Stephanie as she was very careful not to let the object in her hoof dangle upon her return. "I guarantee you that no matter what your hangups on this particular bunny of yours are, this little beauty will completely solve your problem. And then some."
She then lowered the item gently into both of Nick's open paws. He spied the golden chain attached to a circular device with a small knob on top that was engraved with a very intricate depiction of an eye bursting into sun beams. At the center of the eye was a strange red gem that seemed to glow no matter which way Nick held the object. If Nick listened closely, he could hear the faintest sound of ticking.
"...A watch?" he asked.
"Not just any old watch," Stephanie grinned. "Have you ever heard of the phrase 'mind over matter' before, Mister Wilde?"
"Once a long, long time ago when I was fleecing a gym nut into believing I was selling him a workout plan. Long story."
"I'm not talking about any catchphrase used by exercise enthusiasts to encourage performance. I am speaking quite literally of the mind being the key to controlling the entire body. What are we, after all, if not bags of meat and bone being commanded by a small, pink organ. If our mind can control how our body moves, surely it can also control how our body thinks. How it grows. How it changes. That little watch is tuned perfectly to emit a rhythmic tick to unconsciously calm and relax anyone who hears it. And that gemstone at the center is cut to reflect light and capture the attention of anyone who sees it so they don't take their eyes off of it. After waving the watch around in front of person for a time, you should be able to tap into their unconscious mind through verbal communication."
"...You mean hypnotism?"
"Hypnotism is the huckster's term for the method of mental alteration I'm speaking of," Stephanie said, crossing her arms. "Much like how new age practices will attempt to grasp the concept of chakra and fall short, this is the genuine article. I'd advise you'd be careful with it."
"You're saying I can wave this in front of someone and...What? They'll do anything I say?"
"That's one application, but you're also thinking too small. I'm saying that this watch gives you access to a person's mind, and the body is an extension of the mind. What would you do if you could alter anything about a person? From what they sounded like to how tall they were? Even to what species they presented as."
"You're kidding," Nick chuckled. "With a snap of my fingers I could change anyone I wanted?"
"I'm not saying it would be instantaneous. Basic commands are one thing, but the body needs proper time to prepare and alter itself, depending on what is asked of it. And there is one requirement that the victim must be someone who already trusts you or the subconscious mind will reject your influence. But I can see you're already skeptical of my claim."
"Sorry...It's just very hard to believe."
"Then I will give the watch to you as proof," Stephanie said with a smirk. "Go and try it on this bunny of yours. You'll see for yourself if I'm lying or not."
"For free? Are you sure about that?"
"Absolutely. My reputation is at stake."
Nick huffed as he pocketed the object. He still couldn't tell if there was some sort of catch that he wasn't seeing or if this crazy goat genuinely believed the words she was saying. He had, of course, seen street hypnotists before. But it was always done with either an assistant in disguise or the audience was looking for excuses for something they already wanted to do, like an extra push to convince them to quit smoking. He had never quite heard someone describe it like Stephanie had before and the watch had a strange weight to it as it fell to the bottom of his pocket.
"Well, if you're sure," he told Stephanie. "If this works then I will come and apologize while paying full price for it."
~
Nick fretted over with the hard bump in his pocket all day as he finished up work at the ZPD. The truth was he was nervous about having egg on his face if he just up and approached Judy in the middle of the office about his discovery. The last thing he wanted her to think was he actually believed this stuff. He almost wished he could just forget about it, but that would be only fooling himself. The truth was he was curious. The old goat had been very charismatic about the whole thing, like she really believed the words she was saying. Nick had spent enough time with the grifters to know when someone was faking it and when they were being serious. And Stephanie was definitely serious. What did she know that Nick didn't?
"Nick?"
Nick snapped to attention, realizing that he had been staring into space while on the bus home. He looked down and over at Judy who was looking at him with slight concern.
"You've been spacey all day," she said. "Are you okay?"
"Yup!" Nick immediately snapped to attention. "Just...Thinking about something. Do you mind humoring me, Carrots, when we get to your place?"
"'Humor you?' This isn't going to be another one of your pranks, is it?"
"Of course not," replied Nick as they stepped off the bus. "Well, at least I don't think so. Come on."
The pair often spent time together after work at one of their apartments, usually hanging out and watching movies while they discussed whatever case they were on. Always skirting the line over if they wanted to go on a date or not, neither of them braving the actual question. It was something Nick kept in mind as they entered Judy's apartment and settled in.
"So...What is it you were thinking about, slick?"
"Where to even begin," Nick muttered as he reached into his pocket. "Do you believe in hypnosis, Carrots?"
"No?" Judy gave a half laugh. "It's all misdirection when they do it on stage. Why?"
"Like I said," Nick continued as he pulled out the watch. "Humor me for just a moment."
Judy's attention was captured instantly by the gemstone on the watch as Nick slowly began to move it back and forth along its chain. Though she let out a chuckle at the performance, her purple eyes still followed the object almost involuntarily.
"Is this supposed to be your attempt at hypnotizing me, slick?"
"Maybe," Nick said, considering stopping before he made a bigger fool of himself. "Is it working?"
"...Of course not," Judy said, though her voice was starting to trail. "I won't get hypnotized...It's just that the clock is ticking so loudly..."
Nick raised an eye. Though her words were defiant, her body language had gotten more aloof and relaxed. And her eyes couldn't seem to pry away from the watch as she stared intently at it. Nick let it go on for a few more moments of silence before he had to ask.
"Still with me, Carrots?"
"I am...Right here," Judy replied in an almost zombie-like fashion.
"Are you seriously hypnotized right now?"
"I am...Not sure."
"You're not joking with me now. Are you, Carrots?"
"I am...Not joking."
Nick's brow furrowed as he continued to swing the chain back and forth. Was Judy actually being serious? There was only one way to find out.
"Say that I'm the best and most handsome fox you have ever met and you're lucky to have me as a partner."
"...You are the best and most handsome fox I have ever met...I'm lucky to have you as my partner."
Nick laughed. "Aw, you're too kind, Carrots. What's your most embarrassing secret?"
"...I once had really bad runs after having some questionable takeout...All the lady's stalls were taken so I went into the men's...I clogged the toilet and flooded the floor when I tried to flush...Bogo blamed Clawhauser for it and I never corrected them."
Nick snorted. "I always wondered what the story was there about the first floor becoming a swamp that day."
Nick lingered in his thought a little longer before gulping. The silly stuff had been done and now he was considering a more serious question.
"Do you find me attractive?"
"...I find you very attractive," said Judy before she continued speaking unprompted. "I think about you all the time...I'm just worried you don't find me attractive because I'm a bunny, so I never say anything."
Nick found himself blushing in the ears. That had been a far more in depth answer than he had been expecting and it was a reasonable fear. In fact, it was the same fear he experienced about the subject if he was being honest with himself. But to hear Judy admit it so freely when it had gone as an unspoken tension between the two of them for so long.
"Wow," Nick finally said. "You really are hypnotized, huh?"
"...I suppose...I am."
Nick then thought back to his encounter with Stephanie that afternoon and what she had told him. She had mentioned the idea of "mind over matter" in a literal sense, though Nick had shrugged it all off. But if the idea that he could actually hypnotize someone was real, then that would mean the goat's other claims were also true. Could he command Judy to do anything, even change parts of herself? Would that be ethical? She say she was worried he wouldn't find her attractive, so...
"Carrots," said Nick with a smile. "Do you know what I would find attractive?"
"No...What?"
"I would find it attractive if you..."  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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