Anthony Mobley was feeling good,so good; he practically was skipping down the street. He had just finishedworking 14 hours straight. He had been finalizing the details of the Cablecast/WBCmerger. A merger that was going to shock both the cable and telecommunicationindustries. But the financial ramifications of the deal were not Anthony’sconcern. Anthony's concern was how he could personally benefit from thisinformation. And he was about to find out. He had arrived at his destination, atrendy upscale bar in Central City’s downtown district. He entered, scanned thebooths, and saw her.
He had called Miranda McCollins,founder and CEO of themarket.com, claiming to have information in which shemight be interested. What Anthony was interested in was Miranda. She was one ofthe city's most eligible bachelorettes, and one look at her said why. Evenseated in a far corner, he could make out her angelic face framed by shoulderlength red hair. The top two buttons on her blouse undone, revealing a bluecrystal pendant resting between her breasts. He walked up to the booth, took adeep breath and sat down without asking.
"Can I get you a refill on that,Miranda."
She stared at him with her blueeyes. He was startled by the intensity of their color.
"And I suppose you’re this, Mr.Mobley who has some information for me?" she said sounding slightly annoyed.
"That's right," said Mobleyslightly disappointed. He had expected a warmer greeting.
"I see and what information do youhave for me."
"Well," he said. "This is valuableinfo, Miranda," he said, emphasizing her name. "I just can’t give it away."
"Well, too bad for you. I don'tpay for stories. I'm not The National Enquirer."
"I wasn't exactly thinking ofmoney," he said with a leer that made Miranda's stomach turn.
"Anthony," she said in a decidedlysweeter voice. "I can see by your wedding ring that you are married man."
Mobley quickly pulled his handunder the table.
"I, too, have a ring. A veryspecial ring." Miranda extended her arm. The ring was just inches from his eyes."What do you think of my ring?" she continued.
Anthony stared the beautifulblue-white diamond.
I find the diamond very pretty andrelaxing.... very pretty and relaxing...your mind is being drawn into my prettyring ...relaxing and being drawn into my ring...into my ring and wrapped aroundmy finger...into my ring and wrapped around my finger...and now that you arewrapped around my finger you will do anything that I ask...you will do anythingthat I ask…you will do anything that I ask…You will do anything that I ask."
"I will do anything that you ask,"repeated the spellbound Anthony.
"Now then tell me about this greatinformation, that you wanted to share with me?" Miranda asked.
"Cablecast is merging with WBC.One share of Cablecast for 1.55 shares of WBC. The announcement is to be madeFriday."
"Hmm, I see," said Miranda. "Andhave you have profited from this type of information in the past?"
"Yes."
"By insider trading...and tradingthis information for favors from women."
"Yes."
"Well, Anthony, from now on youwill know it is very wrong to use insider information, and it will never occurfor you to do so. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"And as for your escapades withother women. They are over. You are completely and totally dedicated to yourwife. You will have thoughts of no other women," instructed Miranda. "Except, ofcourse, for me. Concerning me, you will feel an intense gratitude and desire toplease me. For me you will feel an intense gratitude and desire to please me,"she repeated. "For me you will feel an intense gratitude and desire to pleaseme. Her voice was now echoing in his mind, reinforcing her suggestion andplanting it ever deeper into his subconscious mind.
"Now what do you desire?" askedMiranda
"To please you," answered Anthonyautomatically.
"Perfect," said Miranda. "Now youmay awaken, remembering nothing of your our conversation, but the suggestions Ihave given you will remain in force."
Mobley blinked a few times andthen became aware of his surroundings.
"Thank you for the wonderfulevening, Anthony, but I really must be going now. Ta, ta." As Miranda stood up,he observed her legs for the first time. Long and shapely in dark stockings, herskirt well above her knee and open-toed high heels encased her lovely feet. Hefelt his heart skip a beat. Mobley couldn't even manage to speak.
Mobley just stared as Mirandastarted to leave. She turned her head towards him and flashed a knowing smile."Oh, and Anthony, be a dear and pay for my drink. Thanks."
An overwhelming feeling of intensedesire and need to please Miranda came over Anthony as he rushed to the bar. Hecouldn't get his wallet out fast enough to pay for Miranda's drink.
As she left Miranda used a specialway of walking that she had perfected. It almost seemed as she gliding, and sheswayed her hips in a most alluring manner. As she maneuvered throughout thetables and barstools, the bar got progressively quieter and quieter, as alleyes, male and female, were drawn to the intoxicating sight of Miranda McCollins.And as she exited the bar, there was complete silence.
Miranda walked a few blocks from the barback to her building. She owned the penthouse. She had acquired it from a realestate mogul who was legendary for his tough negotiating style. He ended upselling it to Miranda at a substantial discount.
She smiled as the doorman held thedoor for her. He adored her. All men adored her. They had to.
She had dealt with Mobley, now it was timeto handle some non-white collar crime. In her tastefully decorated apartmentthat overlooked the city, Miranda quickly changed into her crime-fightingoutfit, a shiny purple-black cat suit with black boots. She continued to wearthe crystal pendant. Miranda stopped and admired herself in a full-lengthmirror. The transformation was spectacular. While Miranda was drop deadgorgeous, dressed as Soforina, Southern California’s most hypnotic crimefighter, she showed off more curves than the Pacific Coast Highway. She slippedout the back entrance and began her patrol.
Soforina walked only a few blocks beforeshe found trouble. A couple of thugs were breaking into a parked car.
"Did you lose your keys, fellas?" Mirandaasked.
The two turned their attention from the carto Miranda.
"What’s it to you, lady? Hey, Billy look atthe babe? I think I want to party with her!"
He charged Miranda. She simply steppedaside and he went barreling into some trashcans.
"Jerry," the other man called out.He took a few steps towards her, but started to slow. Miranda was so beautifuland her pendant so sparkling.
"That’s right…just relax and listen to myvoice…. nothing to do but listen to my voice…helpless and unable to resist myvoice…feels so good to just relax….no need to move….just listen to myvoice…listen to my voice…listen to my voice."
Billy was mesmerized.
Miranda walked up to Billy and laughed atthe now motionless would-be thief.
"Billy, look into my eyes," Miranda cooed.And he did.
"You can’t move you are frozen to thisspot. You will tell anyone who comes along how you tried to break into the car,and you will only be able to move once the police come. Do you understand?
"Yes."
"Marvelous. Now let’s see about yourfriend." Miranda walked over to the other crook that was on the ground holdinghis knee and howling in pain.
"Well, my impetuous young man. How are youfeeling?" Miranda said as she towered over the grimacing crook.
"I think my knee is broken you stupid bi—"
"Freeze," commanded Miranda. "Now thenJerry," she said with contempt," Let’s see if I can teach you some manners.Stare deeper and deeper into my eyes… going deeper and deeper with every breath…falling under my spell and going deep into trance…unable to resist myvoice…unable t resist my voice...your mind and body belong to me…your mind andbody belong to me…you are now mine."
"I am yours," said Jerry.
"Very Good. Now then, Jerry, youare going to treat all women with respect and decency. Let me repeat that: Fromnow on you will treat all women with respect and decency. To do otherwise willmake you physically. Is this clear?
"Yes."
"And you’re also going to confess to allyour crimes. You are quite stuck an unable to move until the police come foryou..
"Yes."
"And you are quite madly in love with me."Soforina said with a laugh. "You can’t bear to be without me, will yearn for mefor the rest of your life."
"Yes."
"Perfect, well boys I’ll be seeing you now,be good. She blew them a kiss.
"No please don’t go I love you. I adoreyou," cried Billy.
"Come back please," I can’t live withoutyou yelled Jerry, as Soforina disappeared into the night.
High above on a rooftop, two shadowyfigures had observed the activity below. The shorter one, a man, held a videocamera.
"Did you get all that?" asked the woman.
"Yes, My Queen."
"Good, then we’re done here. Follow me."
"Yes, My Queen."
At 5 am the next morning, Miranda wasalready in her office. She had exercised an hour, skimmed The New York Times,The Wall Street Journal, Investor’s Business Daily as well many ofher competitor’s websites. Even though her offices were on the West Coast, shereally didn’t need to be in this early, but then again she hadn’t builtthemarket.com into the number one financial site on the Internet by not pushingherself.
Miranda had always been anoverachiever. The epitome of the scholar-athlete, Miranda had maintained a 4.0and double majored in economics and journalism at the University of Minnesota,while at the same time she was a star forward on the college’s NCAA championshipwomen’s lacrosse team. She also had made editor of the campus paper TheMinnesota Daily. Upon graduation she first worked as a business andeconomics reporter for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, before moving on tothe Los Angeles Times. Ambitious and always looking forward she wasoffered a job in Washington DC, but turned it down. She loved living inCalifornia just too much.
At the same time Miranda feltstifled by the bureaucracy of the newspaper. She knew she could do much better.Her own personal investment portfolio was doing tremendously. So one day shewalked in to her editor’s office and quit. She struck out on her own and startedthemarket.com. She foresaw both the Internet boom and bust, making herself andher clients very wealthy along the way. themarket.com was one of the few trueInternet success stories. Miranda could have made even more money by taking thefirm public, but decided against doing so, not wishing to lose control of hercompany.
Her staff was the best and brightestbusiness, economic and math majors from all across the country. Sometimes it wasdifficult going recruiting against big Wall Street firms. She couldn’t pay asmuch, but then again as expensive as Southern California was it was nothingcompared to Manhattan.
There had been this one bright boy fromDuke. He had done some amazing work with commodity prices and chaos theory. Butbefore she could talk to him he agreed to work Merrill Lynch.
Miranda personally flew to NorthCarolina to see him. He agreed to meet with her as a courtesy only. He mind wasmade up he was going to work for Merrill. Fifteen minutes later he was on thephone to New York. A smiling Miranda watched as he explained that he had changedhis mind and was going to themarket.com.
Every morning at 5:30am in theconference room Miranda met with her analysts. Eager to please and to provethemselves, lively debates often ensued. Miranda encouraged this forcefulexchange of ideas. This morning was no different. Tom, one of the neweranalysts, was making a case for oil service stocks, while Ramon, one ofMiranda’s veterans argued against them.
"I’m sorry that I have to cut thisdiscussion short, but I’ve got some reports to look over and before I go Iwanted to let you all know that WBC and CableCast are merging. The announcementwill come on Friday," she said.
The analysts were in a tizzy.
"That doesn’t make sense!"
"Liberty Media’s been looking at WBC."
"Can they get FCC approval?"
Miranda smiled, "I want you all to crunchthe numbers on this and give me a recommendation by oh, let’s say 9am. I wantthis story and our analysis up no later than 30 minutes after that."
"Yes, Miranda," they said in unison as theyscrambled out of the conference room.
Only Mark, Miranda’s second in command andright hand man, stayed behind.
"Wow, Miranda. How do you come up withthese scoops? You never cease to amaze me," Mark said in awe.
"Yes I am," purred Miranda. "What’s on tapfor today?"
‘You’ve got a luncheon at The Chamber ofCommerce, and that writer from GQ called again. He’s still looking for aninterview. I can tell him you aren’t interested.
"No, that’s not necessary."
"But, Miranda, I don’t trust him. He’s donesome real hatchet pieces in the past."
"Shhhh..." Miranda put her finger to Herlips. "I can take care of him. Now relax and go into Deep Hypnosis for me."
Mark’s eyes slammed shut.
Miranda stared at the motionless man. Hehad been her since her days on the college paper. Mark had always been sohelpful to her, even before she cast a spell on him. It seemed like a good ideato have a big, strong, and smart man around, so Miranda brought him fromMinnesota to California. He was desperately protective of her. He had to be.
"Deep, deep sleep, Mark…Going deeper anddeeper into relaxation and trance for me….feels so good to listen to my voiceand obey my words…just listen to my voice and obey my words…all my ideas aregood ideas and my ideas are your ideas…all my ideas are good ideas and all myideas are your ideas…"
Mark smiled, filled with joy. He was deepin Miranda’s hypnotic control.
"I can take care of myself Mark. I love thefact that you are so protective of me. You have to be protective of me. You justadore me so much. But when I say, I can take care of myself, you will believe meand you will agree, understand?"
"Yes, Miranda."
"Perfect."
"I’m going to wake you in a moment. You’llremember nothing of your trance, but more than ever before, all my ideas willseem like good ideas and all my ideas will seem like your ideas. Waking up at5…1…more and more alert…2… mind becoming clearer….3...body regaining sensation…4…almost up 5…wide awake…" and Miranda snapped her fingers.
"Mark, are you, okay?" Miranda asked with abig grin.
"Uh, yes. I think so. My mind must havewandered."
"Anyway, I was saying that I want to talkto the GQ writer. I’m not worried about him," Miranda smiled again.
Mark was silent for a moment. Like he wasconsidering something.
"I agree, Miranda. Seems like a good idea."
"Wonderful," said Miranda. "I’m going towork in my office for awhile and then I’m going to the Chamber of CommerceLuncheon. Make sure I’m not disturbed."
"Yes, Miranda."
Miranda smiled at him as he left the room.
Ron Carter, prominent local attorney, andVince Laccavara, bank president, sat at a table at The Chamber of Commerce. Theydreaded these luncheons, but it was part of the game. If you weren’t a memberand didn’t attend, you would soon find your business drying up.
"Ron, Vince. How wonderful to seeyou?"
They both turned to see thesmiling face of Miranda. They instinctively smiled back. Ron stood and kissedher hand.
"Miranda, you must simply joinus," said Ron.
"Well, I don’t know," Miranda saidplayfully. "I see, George from the Mayor’s office across the way." She gave alittle wave.
"Please, Miranda," said Vince in aworried tone. "It’s been so long since we’ve seen you," he pleaded.
"Well, okay, you’ve convinced me,"and Miranda took a seat at the table.
Vince and Ron were overjoyed.
"Miranda you look lovely,positively gorgeous," said Ron. Vince nodded in agreement.
"Why thank you boys, so being nicefor you to notice," replied Miranda. Of course, they couldn’t help but notice.
Miranda, her beauty, her nails, her eyesand her jewelry continued to be the topic of conversation. Ron and Vince fawnedover her ignoring their lunch and the first speaker.
As the Master of Ceremonies thanked thefirst speaker, men in black jumpsuits sporting red hearts on their chestsstarted rolling out TVs on carts around the room.
"While we’re preparing for our nextspeaker, let me remind you of the upcoming functions," said the MC and heproceeded to read off a list of events.
Ron and Vince ignored the MC; they werecaptivated by Miranda.
Once the TVs were in place one of the mengave a signal to the MC.
"Well, I see we’re ready for our mainspeaker. Regina Hart is Chairwoman and Founder of the Hart Foundation, aphilanthropic organization based in San Francisco. Ladies and gentlemen, Ms.Regina Hart." The attendees politely applauded, as a tall blonde in a slinky reddress stepped to the dais.
"Good Afternoon, Gentlemen,"Regina said as she locked her emerald green eyes on the video camera. Herbeautiful face, green eyes and red lips were displayed on the monitors all aboutthe room.
"My name is Regina Hart and I have comehere because I have something important to say. Something very important that Iam sure you will want to hear. Listen closely to my words."
"Just listen to my words…it’s so easy todo…just relax…you have no worries…no cares…just listen to the sound of myvoice…"
It was quickly apparent to Mirandawhat Regina Hart was up to. Her words. Her cadence. The repetition. She wasattempting to hypnotize her audience. And it was working. The men in the roomwere transfixed, staring into Regina’s green eyes. Even Vince and Ron, whomoments ago were fawning over Miranda, were now watching Regina. She was tryingto put the whole room under her spell and succeeding.
Miranda had to act quickly before theysuccumbed to Regina’s trance. She interposed herself between Ron and Vince andthe monitor."
"Boys, look into my eyes…deeply into myeyes…listen to me and carry out my commands. Ron, go and knock over all the TVmonitors. Vince, go unplug the microphone.
Ron complied and started knocking themonitors off the stands. The loud crashes making Regina’s voice difficult tohear. She tried raising her voice, but Vince unplugged the microphone and ReginaHart fell silent. Visibly angry, and unable to be heard, she signaled to hercrew to leave and she stormed off the dais.
"Roll the video from the luncheon," TheQueen of Hearts commanded.
"Yes, my Queen," said Jack.
They were in the Queen’s hideout,a warehouse down by the docks.
Two men walked across the roomupsetting the monitor carts, and dismantling the sound system.
"Reverse it slowly."
The men walked backwards in slowmotion to a table. A red head was seated. She was saying something to them.
"Freeze it. Now run the video fromthe night before on the other screen."
Jack complied.
Soforina was on the street withthe two thieves.
"Stop the tape."
The tape kept rolling. Reginalooked at Jack. He was staring at the video screen. Regina grabbed thecontroller and hit pause. Jack still stared at Soforina on the screen.
"Jack, my dear," said Regina."Look into my eyes. My beautiful green eyes. And listen to my voice. Feels sogood to lose yourself in my eyes and listen to my voice. Only my eyes and myvoice... you’re going deeper and deeper into my control. Now, Jack, my pet, whois your Queen?
"You are."
"Very good," Regina smiled. "AndSoforina"
"Who?"
"Very good, now that things arethe way they should be. Tell me what you see on the screen."
"That lady from the other night,and a woman at the luncheon."
"Now my little man, you are sogood at noticing females. What can you tell me about them?"
Jack stared for a moment. "Theyare the same woman," he said triumphantly.
"Exactly, so. According to theluncheon records, that woman is Miranda McCollins. She’s about to have anunexpected visitor."
"Yes, My Queen. I am ready toserve. Tell me what I should do to her."
"Sorry, Jack. Not you. Go and getme Two."
"Two, but he’s the least exper-"
"Silence," Regina commanded as shewaved her hand.
Jack stopped talking.
"You live to obey me, jack. Now goand fetch me Two and also locate Miranda McCollins address.
He bowed. "Yes, My Queen." And heleft the room.
Regina stared at the screen withhatred. "Soon enough Soforina would be out of the way," she said to herself."And then no one would be able to stop The Queen of Hearts."
Soforina returned from patrol toher penthouse shortly before 10pm. She found her door was ajar. She enteredquietly. The living room was in shambles. She heard a noise from the bedroom.There was a man dressed in the same heart uniform she was this afternoon andthe luncheon. He was trying to open her wall safe.
"Can I help you? Soforina asked.
The burglar turned to face her. Hewas startled.
"Just look into my eyes."
He raised a knife.
"Just relax and listen to myvoice."
He took one step towards her.
"Just relax and give in."
He stopped moving.
"That’s right just relax andlisten to my voice…relax and listen…relax and listen…it so easy…it feels so goodto relax and listen…look into my eyes…listen to my voice and go deeper anddeeper under my spell…go deeper and deeper under my spell."
The man was lost in her eyes, hervoice. He could not move.
"Tell me your name, "Soforinacommanded.
"Two, I am called Two of Hearts"
"What an odd name."
"My Queen gave it to me."
"Your Queen?"
"Yes, The Queen of Hearts. I wearher symbol and serve only her."
"Look deeper into my eyes, falldeeper into my spell…Deeper and deeper….Only my voice…Under my spell…Obeying meonly…You have no desire to belong to another…You obey only me…You obey only me."
"I obey you only."
"Now, what is your name?"
"C- Two…uhh."
"Deeper and deeper. Think backwhat is your name?
"Calvin."
"Very good, Calvin. Now to whom doyou belong?"
"I belong to you."
Soforina smiled.
"Good now tell me where I can findRegina Hart…"
Calvin (The Two of Hearts) led Soforina toCentral City’s waterfront district. He was now thoroughly under Soforina’scontrol and had no qualms about betraying his former Queen. He led her to awarehouse and he showed her the way in.
"How many are there?" askedSoforina.
"There's Three thru Ten. PlusJack. He’s her favorite."
Miranda look annoyed.
"Where are they?"
"If they aren’t training, thenthey are probably playing cards. This way."
Calvin led her down a corridor toa door. She opened it slowly. She could see the men playing cards at a tableacross the room.
She entered the room.
"Do you boys mind if a girlplays?"
The men looked up
"Grab her."
They ran at her. Miranda sidestepped two who crashed into a box.
"Look into my eyes," She said tothe rest. They stopped.
"Deeper and deeper…." They werefalling under her spell.
Suddenly Miranda heard a hissingsound. Gas. She covered her mouth and ran for the door. It was locked. Shecoughed. She was losing consciousness.
Soforina slowly awoke. At firstshe had trouble remembering what had happened. Her head began to clear slowly.The warehouse and the gas. It had been a trap. She jumped to her feet. She wasin a solitary white cell with a metal door and a TV screen suspended in onecorner.
The screen flashed on and thebeautiful face of Regina Hart appeared.
"Awake from our nap, Soforina, orshould I call you Miranda McCollins?" The Queen asked triumphantly.
Soforina tried not to appearstartled at the mention of her name.
"Oh, I know you have been able tohide your identity from the fools of this city for a long time, but it isobvious to anyone with half a brain who you really are," The Queen continued.
"And what do you plan to do withthis information, Regina?" asked Soforina.
"Please call me Queen Regina. MyQueen, or Your Highness, for I am the Queen of Hearts," she said regally. "AfterI enslave the power brokers of this city, I will very much enjoy enslaving you,my dear."
"I wouldn't be so sure My Queen,"Miranda said sarcastically. "You might tale a look into my eyes and see if thatis what you really want to do," Miranda’s tone was now soft and alluring.
The Queen laughed. "Nice try,Soforina. But the screen I am observing you on is disoriented. It’s likescrambled cable, and your voice isn’t much better. A battle between us mightprove very interesting, but know this Miranda, after days of captivity, deprivedof food, water and sleep, constantly subjected to my voice and my charms, youwill weaken and eventually you will be mine. Maybe, I’ll even use this." Andshe held up Soforina’s crystal pendant. The light reflected off of it in ahundreds of spinning and swirling sparkles.
Miranda instinctively grabbedaround her neck for the missing jewel.
The queen laughed again. "Mysubjects are so messy, and I have no one to clean up after them. Imagine thatMiranda. Imagine being my maid," The Queen said seductively. "Just relax andimagine…"
"In your dreams," said a defiantSoforina.
"Soon enough you’ll kneel beforeme," said the annoyed Queen. "Anyway, I must go now. My soon to be adoringpublic awaits." And the screen went blank.
Soforina stared at hersurroundings. The room was empty, except for an air vent
on the ceiling. But that was too high, and even if she wasable to reach it, appeared to be too small to crawl through. She inspected thedoor. It had no handle and it appeared to be soundproof. Even if it was not, shewas sure that the Queen of Hearts was not so foolish to have her minionsanywhere within the range of her voice.
Soforina was really beginning toworry. She had seen the Queen of Hearts' power and she was sure that no one inthe city would be able to resist her. She also knew she was at risk as well.Given time the Queen would ensure that she would also become one of hersubjects.
She had no way of contacting Mark,the police, or anyone else disposed to help her...except, Calvin, the man shefound in her penthouse, the man who had led her into this trap. He had beencompletely under Her spell. Soforina was sure the Queen had made him on of hersubjects again. But Soforina hoped the Queen wasn't so skillful as to remove allof changes Soforina had made to his mind.
Anyone who fell under Soforinaspell had subtle changes made to their mind. Small changes in the subconscious,in the way he thinks. Changes that ensured complete obedience and adoration. Butshe still had to reach his mind.
This would be quite a test forSoforina. Without her crystal pendant, and without the ability to influence hertarget directly, but it was her only hope.
Soforina slowly entered a trance,she felt herself go deeper and deeper. Deeper than she had ever gone before.Soon she was floating up and out of her body. She floated right through the wallof the cell and down the hall. She found the Queen’s subjects all grouped in aroom. She recognized her target at the card table, and began to enter his mind.
She went deeper and deeper intohis mind. Deep into his subconscious, where she found her commands that she hadplaced earlier when he had fallen under her spell.
"Come to me," she whispered. "Cometo me," she said again, this time strengthening the feeling. "You must come toyour mistress. You need to see your mistress."
Calvin was holding an Ace-HighFlush and staring at the biggest pot of the night, but he tossed in his cards."I'm going to stretch my legs," he said to no one in particular as he tossed inhis cards.
"You must come to me, you mustobey, come to your mistress," Soforina repeated over and over.
The need to see her was nowgrowing stronger and stronger within Calvin. He didn’t even hesitate as hewalked down the hallway that the Queen had forbidden him and all her othersubjects to enter. His heart was pounding as he opened the door and beheld theglorious, beautiful sight of Soforina. He stared deeply into her oh-so-blueeyes.
"Very good, my pet. Now sleep,"Soforina said, and Calvin slumped to the floor of the cell.
Soforina quickly walked down thehallway to the room with the Queen's subjects. "Hello boys," she said. "Readyfor round two?"
The men closest to her stared torush forward, but only got a few steps. Miranda was just so beautiful, so lovelyto look at. And her deep blue eyes. They all stopped in their tracks, staringintently into her deep blue eyes.
"Which one of you is Jack?"
"I am." said a motionless man.
"Everyone, except Jack, is verytired and will now fall into a deep sleep." They all slumped to the floor.
Soforina approached Jack. He triedto move, but couldn’t.
"Where is the Regina Hart and whatis her plan?" demanded Soforina
"Never, she is my Queen, I cannotbetray her. She has seen to that."
Soforina focused deeper on hismind. One moment he was looking into beautiful blue eyes and the next he foundhimself falling...falling...falling... spinning...spinning and falling until helanded in a soft pile of hay. And when he opened his eyes he found himselfstaring at Soforina. He had never seen a woman so beautiful, so stunning.
She motioned with her finger fromhim to come towards her, and he responded without even thinking. As he stoodbefore this incredible beautiful woman, he felt waves of love and adoration wasover him.
"Kneel." commanded Soforina in avoice that sounded like it was coming from a dream.
Jack kneeled.
"Now to whom do you belong?" sheasked.
"I belong to Soforina. I renouncemy service to Regina Hart."
"You belong to me. You worship me.You must obey me."
"I belong to you. I worship you. Imust obey you."
Soforina laughed. Despite theseriousness of the situation, she couldn’t help but be amused at Jack’s quickand utter submission to her.
"Now, Jack, tell me where ReginaHart is and what is her plan?"
"She is meeting with the men fromthe luncheon in the corporate boardroom of First City Bank & Trust at 3o’clock."
"Good. Now Louis, I want you tocall the police and confess all your crimes and then you will fall into a deepand natural sleep. Do you understand?
"Yes, my mistress."
Soforina raced out the door tostop Regina Hart.
In the boardroom of First CityBank & Trust seated around the large mahogany table were nineteen of mostpowerful men in the state: bankers, industrialists, and media moguls. And whenRegina Hart walked into the room, every one of them stared in awe. She wore abright red business suit. Her low cut blouse revealing a crystal heat shapedpendant between her tanned breaks. Her short skirt revealing her perfect thighs.She wore bright red high-heeled boots.
"I want to thank you all forcoming hear on such short notice, after yesterday's technical troubles. I reallylook forward to communicating my message to all of you."
Regina then looked into the mirroron the far wall.
"My goodness," she said in mockdistress. "Do I look that bad? If you gentlemen will indulge a girl for just amoment." And with that she removed a compact from her matching red handbag. Themost powerful men in the city then stared in intently as Regina carefullyapplied make up to first her left and then her right cheek. While pretending tolook in the compact mirror, she slowly surveyed her prey.
They all stared unblinkingly,their jaws slightly agape. She closed the compact and placed it in the bag onlyto retrieve a lipstick holder. She heard a few audible gasps and she turned thebase to produce a thick red stick that she began to apply to her lips.
"You know, it is very importantfor a girl to look her best."
The men's breathing was veryshallow now, while their hearts were racing. Hearts that would belong to mealong with all their worldly possessions thought Regina with glee. As she puther lipstick away, she could see that the men were entranced, oblivious toeverything but Regina.
"Well gentlemen now that I haveyour undivided attention," she laughed. "I want to inform you that I am yourQueen, and I rule all your hearts. You will call me Your Highness. You willalso----
A blaring ringing suddenly rangout throughout the room. So loud that Regina could not even hear her own voice.The formerly dazed men slowly began to stir at the loud commotion
Regina was furious. She stormedout of the room to find the source of the noise, and as she opened the door shefound herself staring into the deep blue eyes of Soforina. Soforina waved herarm and the ringing stopped.
"So good to see you again, Regina,or should I say it feels so good for you to see me gain, or even better tolisten to my voice again. Yes my voice relaxing you deeper and deeper allowingyou to go into deep hypnosis for me."
Unprepared for Soforina’sinduction, Regina could not resist and fell into a deep trance. She followedSoforina mindlessly back into the room; there Soforina erased any remnants ofthe Queen’s control over the men, and also made sure to leave them very obedientand grateful to her.
Miranda waited until a specialpolice squad equipped for extraordinary criminals arrived to take the Queen ofHearts away.
Back at the Queen of Heartshideout, the police had responded to Jack’s cal and found the sleeping henchmen.The police searched for evidence. While searching through some lockers, OfficerDarcy Cosgrove found a beautiful blue crystal pendant. Normally, OfficerCosgrove would follow procedure and bag the sparkling jewel for evidence, butsomething in the pendant caught her eye. It’s so beautiful the way it reflectsthe light... the way it draws the eye towards it... it seems almostirresistible.
"I don’t have any jewelry, as niceas this, " thought Darcy. "It would be nice to wear something this pretty."
And for the first time in herthree years on the force, Officer Darcy Cosgrove broke a regulation and pocketedthe pendant.
A week later in the Central Citycourthouse, tempers were heating up.
"Your honor this is outrageous.Not only does depriving my client the right to attend her own trial violatecommon sense, but it’s blatantly unconstitutional," argued Attorney Brian Raynor.
"Well, what about that Ms.Decker," said the presiding judge, Henry Anderson, "Mr. Raynor seems to have apoint. It would seem to pretty open and shut."
The tall, blonde DA stood. At 6’3"Susan Decker towered over her legal adversary. "Not at all, Your Honor, there isprecedent. Purple Man v. Reno established the right of the government toexclude individuals with extraordinary abilities from trial if, in the court'sopinion that those abilities would impair the jury from reaching the properverdict."
Raynor arose, "Your honor, Purple Man is not applicable. In that case, the defendant had been dumped ina vat of chemicals giving him a uniquely non-human power to control the minds ofothers. My client is just a pretty woman who allegedly conspired with others tocommit alleged criminal acts. The cases aren't parallel."
"Pretty woman!" snorted Decker."She makes supermodels look like bag ladies, and that was not just a conspiracy.She used her hypnotic powers to try to completely control and dominate the mindsof the richest and most powerful men in the city."
Raynor replied. "Your honor, ifyou rule against me, I will appeal on the grounds that the Ms. Decker is tooattractive. Her looks will end up influencing the jury. No way I can try my caseif she is prosecuting. Do you see how ridiculous this is?"
"Enough," said the judge. "I'llwant your briefs on this tomorrow morning. For now court is adjourned." And hebanged his gavel.
The judge retired to his chambersand was pleasantly surprised to find none other than Miranda McCollins waitingfor him.
"Miranda, how delightful to seeyou, but how did you get past security. With all the terror alters, this hasbeen declared a restricted area, you know."
"Oh," she smiled. "I just asked ifI could come back and the guard just said ‘Yes’."
"Hmm, indeed," said Anderson."Well what do I owe the privilege and honor of this visit?"
"Henry," she said emphasizing hisname. "I want you to let Regina Hart go."
The judge was silent for a moment.
"Miranda, we go back a long way,and you know I have always been very fond of you, but this is highly improper.We shouldn't even be having this conversation."
"But you used to like haveconversations with me, remember. You used to like to listen to my voice," saidMiranda seductively. "Remember how good it feels to listen to my voice." JudgeAnderson was staring deeply into Miranda’s eyes now. "Remember, how good it feltto relax...and to go into deep hypnosis for me." And with that the judge’s eyesslammed shut.
Miranda continued. "Remember howgood it feels to listen my voice... to listen to my words... to obey myvoice.... must obey all my words..."
"Yes," the judge managed.
"And there is nothing you wouldrather do then obey me...it feels so good to obey me...feels so good to obey mecompletely, doesn't it?"
"Yes."
"Now then, you will rule to letRegina Hart go. You will come up with some legal technicality and make it stick.You will remember none of this conversation, and in the future you will followall of my commands even when you are not in trance. Can you do this thing forme?
"Yes, Miranda."
"Good now your will fall into anormal sleep and when awake you will feel quite refreshed. Pleasant dreams,judge." She said as his eyes closed and he collapsed on to his couch.
And with that, Miranda left with awide grin on her face.
What happens when a powerful hypnotic charm falls into theunsuspecting hands of a mere mortal?
And why is Miranda commanding the judge to set The Queen ofHearts free?
Find out in Chapter 2 "Soforina Goes to Washington!"