‘‘Is everyone susceptible?’’ I asked. ‘‘I thought some people are impossible to hypnotise.’’
‘‘I’m never going to admit that,’’ she replied. ‘‘You’d be an amazing subject.’’
‘‘How can you tell? I’d resist all the way.’’
‘‘You’re challenging me, aren’t you?’’ Melissa came and walked round my chair. I remember that she looked at me, then nothing.
‘‘I told you I’d resist,’’ I said when I realised that Melissa was sitting opposite me with a huge grin on her face.
‘‘You did,’’ she said. ‘‘And who do you think won?’
‘‘I did, of course.’’
‘‘So I didn’t hypnotise you at all?’
‘‘No.’’
‘‘So are you hypnotised now?’
‘‘I am hypnotised to obey,’’ I heard myself say. I blinked in shock. ‘‘Where did that come from?’
‘‘Are you hypnotised?’’ she asked again.
‘‘I am hypnotised to obey,’’ I replied, feeling equally surprised as the words slipped through my lips.
‘‘I think I won,’’ she said. ‘‘Now just to check, please tell me your name.’’
‘‘That’s easy; I’m Emily,’’ I replied, hearing what I said. ‘‘No; that’s not right… I’m Emily.’’
‘‘And are you hypnotised now?’
‘‘I am hypnotised to obey,’’ I said again.