Anthony Mobley was feeling good, so good; he practically was skipping down the street. He had just finished working 14 hours straight. He had been finalizing the details of the Cablecast/WBC merger. A merger that was going to shock both the cable and telecommunication industries. But the financial ramifications of the deal were not Anthony’s concern. Anthony's concern was how he could personally benefit from this information. And he was about to find out. He had arrived at his destination, a trendy upscale bar in Central City’s downtown district. He entered, scanned the booths, and saw her.
He had called Miranda McCollins, founder and CEO of themarket.com, claiming to have information in which she might be interested. What Anthony was interested in was Miranda. She was one of the city's most eligible bachelorettes, and one look at her said why. Even seated in a far corner, he could make out her angelic face framed by shoulder length red hair. The top two buttons on her blouse undone, revealing a blue crystal pendant resting between her breasts. He walked up to the booth, took a deep breath and sat down without asking.
"Can I get you a refill on that, Miranda."
She stared at him with her blue eyes. 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 Mobley slightly disappointed. He had expected a warmer greeting.
"I see and what information do you have for me."
"Well," he said. "This is valuable info, Miranda," he said, emphasizing her name. "I just can’t give it away."
"Well, too bad for you. I don't pay for stories. I'm not The National Enquirer."
"I wasn't exactly thinking of money," he said with a leer that made Miranda's stomach turn.
"Anthony," she said in a decidedly sweeter voice. "I can see by your wedding ring that you are married man."
Mobley quickly pulled his hand under the table.
"I, too, have a ring. A very special 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 beautiful blue-white diamond.
I find the diamond very pretty and relaxing.... very pretty and relaxing...your mind is being drawn into my pretty ring ...relaxing and being drawn into my ring...into my ring and wrapped around my finger...into my ring and wrapped around my finger...and now that you are wrapped around my finger you will do anything that I ask...you will do anything that 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 great information, 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 made Friday."
"Hmm, I see," said Miranda. "And have you have profited from this type of information in the past?"
"Yes."
"By insider trading...and trading this information for favors from women."
"Yes."
"Well, Anthony, from now on you will know it is very wrong to use insider information, and it will never occur for you to do so. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"And as for your escapades with other women. They are over. You are completely and totally dedicated to your wife. You will have thoughts of no other women," instructed Miranda. "Except, of course, for me. Concerning me, you will feel an intense gratitude and desire to please 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 please me. Her voice was now echoing in his mind, reinforcing her suggestion and planting it ever deeper into his subconscious mind.
"Now what do you desire?" asked Miranda
"To please you," answered Anthony automatically.
"Perfect," said Miranda. "Now you may awaken, remembering nothing of your our conversation, but the suggestions I have given you will remain in force."
Mobley blinked a few times and then became aware of his surroundings.
"Thank you for the wonderful evening, 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, her skirt well above her knee and open-toed high heels encased her lovely feet. He felt his heart skip a beat. Mobley couldn't even manage to speak.
Mobley just stared as Miranda started 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 intense desire and need to please Miranda came over Anthony as he rushed to the bar. He couldn't get his wallet out fast enough to pay for Miranda's drink.
As she left Miranda used a special way of walking that she had perfected. It almost seemed as she gliding, and she swayed her hips in a most alluring manner. As she maneuvered throughout the tables and barstools, the bar got progressively quieter and quieter, as all eyes, 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 bar back to her building. She owned the penthouse. She had acquired it from a real estate mogul who was legendary for his tough negotiating style. He ended up selling it to Miranda at a substantial discount.
She smiled as the doorman held the door for her. He adored her. All men adored her. They had to.
She had dealt with Mobley, now it was time to handle some non-white collar crime. In her tastefully decorated apartment that overlooked the city, Miranda quickly changed into her crime-fighting outfit, a shiny purple-black cat suit with black boots. She continued to wear the crystal pendant. Miranda stopped and admired herself in a full-length mirror. The transformation was spectacular. While Miranda was drop dead gorgeous, dressed as Soforina, Southern California’s most hypnotic crime fighter, she showed off more curves than the Pacific Coast Highway. She slipped out the back entrance and began her patrol.
Soforina walked only a few blocks before she found trouble. A couple of thugs were breaking into a parked car.
"Did you lose your keys, fellas?" Miranda asked.
The two turned their attention from the car to Miranda.
"What’s it to you, lady? Hey, Billy look at the babe? I think I want to party with her!"
He charged Miranda. She simply stepped aside 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 beautiful and her pendant so sparkling.
"That’s right…just relax and listen to my voice…. nothing to do but listen to my voice…helpless and unable to resist my voice…feels so good to just relax….no need to move….just listen to my voice…listen to my voice…listen to my voice."
Billy was mesmerized.
Miranda walked up to Billy and laughed at the now motionless would-be thief.
"Billy, look into my eyes," Miranda cooed. And he did.
"You can’t move you are frozen to this spot. 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 your friend." Miranda walked over to the other crook that was on the ground holding his knee and howling in pain.
"Well, my impetuous young man. How are you feeling?" Miranda said as she towered over the grimacing crook.
"I think my knee is broken you stupid bi—"
"Freeze," commanded Miranda. "Now then Jerry," 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 my voice…unable t resist my voice...your mind and body belong to me…your mind and body belong to me…you are now mine."
"I am yours," said Jerry.
"Very Good. Now then, Jerry, you are going to treat all women with respect and decency. Let me repeat that: From now on you will treat all women with respect and decency. To do otherwise will make you physically. Is this clear?
"Yes."
"And you’re also going to confess to all your crimes. You are quite stuck an unable to move until the police come for you..
"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 me for 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 adore you," cried Billy.
"Come back please," I can’t live without you yelled Jerry, as Soforina disappeared into the night.
High above on a rooftop, two shadowy figures had observed the activity below. The shorter one, a man, held a video camera.
"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 was already in her office. She had exercised an hour, skimmed The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Investor’s Business Daily as well many of her competitor’s websites. Even though her offices were on the West Coast, she really didn’t need to be in this early, but then again she hadn’t built themarket.com into the number one financial site on the Internet by not pushing herself.
Miranda had always been an overachiever. The epitome of the scholar-athlete, Miranda had maintained a 4.0 and 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 championship women’s lacrosse team. She also had made editor of the campus paper The Minnesota Daily. Upon graduation she first worked as a business and economics reporter for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, before moving on to the Los Angeles Times. Ambitious and always looking forward she was offered a job in Washington DC, but turned it down. She loved living in California just too much.
At the same time Miranda felt stifled by the bureaucracy of the newspaper. She knew she could do much better. Her own personal investment portfolio was doing tremendously. So one day she walked in to her editor’s office and quit. She struck out on her own and started themarket.com. She foresaw both the Internet boom and bust, making herself and her clients very wealthy along the way. themarket.com was one of the few true Internet success stories. Miranda could have made even more money by taking the firm public, but decided against doing so, not wishing to lose control of her company.
Her staff was the best and brightest business, economic and math majors from all across the country. Sometimes it was difficult going recruiting against big Wall Street firms. She couldn’t pay as much, but then again as expensive as Southern California was it was nothing compared to Manhattan.
There had been this one bright boy from Duke. He had done some amazing work with commodity prices and chaos theory. But before she could talk to him he agreed to work Merrill Lynch.
Miranda personally flew to North Carolina to see him. He agreed to meet with her as a courtesy only. He mind was made up he was going to work for Merrill. Fifteen minutes later he was on the phone to New York. A smiling Miranda watched as he explained that he had changed his mind and was going to themarket.com.
Every morning at 5:30am in the conference room Miranda met with her analysts. Eager to please and to prove themselves, lively debates often ensued. Miranda encouraged this forceful exchange of ideas. This morning was no different. Tom, one of the newer analysts, was making a case for oil service stocks, while Ramon, one of Miranda’s veterans argued against them.
"I’m sorry that I have to cut this discussion short, but I’ve got some reports to look over and before I go I wanted to let you all know that WBC and CableCast are merging. The announcement will 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 crunch the numbers on this and give me a recommendation by oh, let’s say 9am. I want this story and our analysis up no later than 30 minutes after that."
"Yes, Miranda," they said in unison as they scrambled out of the conference room.
Only Mark, Miranda’s second in command and right hand man, stayed behind.
"Wow, Miranda. How do you come up with these scoops? You never cease to amaze me," Mark said in awe.
"Yes I am," purred Miranda. "What’s on tap for today?"
‘You’ve got a luncheon at The Chamber of Commerce, and that writer from GQ called again. He’s still looking for an interview. I can tell him you aren’t interested.
"No, that’s not necessary."
"But, Miranda, I don’t trust him. He’s done some real hatchet pieces in the past."
"Shhhh..." Miranda put her finger to Her lips. "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. He had been her since her days on the college paper. Mark had always been so helpful to her, even before she cast a spell on him. It seemed like a good idea to have a big, strong, and smart man around, so Miranda brought him from Minnesota to California. He was desperately protective of her. He had to be.
"Deep, deep sleep, Mark…Going deeper and deeper into relaxation and trance for me….feels so good to listen to my voice and obey my words…just listen to my voice and obey my words…all my ideas are good ideas and my ideas are your ideas…all my ideas are good ideas and all my ideas are your ideas…"
Mark smiled, filled with joy. He was deep in Miranda’s hypnotic control.
"I can take care of myself Mark. I love the fact that you are so protective of me. You have to be protective of me. You just adore me so much. But when I say, I can take care of myself, you will believe me and you will agree, understand?"
"Yes, Miranda."
"Perfect."
"I’m going to wake you in a moment. You’ll remember nothing of your trance, but more than ever before, all my ideas will seem like good ideas and all my ideas will seem like your ideas. Waking up at 5…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 a big grin.
"Uh, yes. I think so. My mind must have wandered."
"Anyway, I was saying that I want to talk to the GQ writer. I’m not worried about him," Miranda smiled again.
Mark was silent for a moment. Like he was considering something.
"I agree, Miranda. Seems like a good idea."
"Wonderful," said Miranda. "I’m going to work in my office for awhile and then I’m going to the Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. Make sure I’m not disturbed."
"Yes, Miranda."
Miranda smiled at him as he left the room.
Ron Carter, prominent local attorney, and Vince Laccavara, bank president, sat at a table at The Chamber of Commerce. They dreaded these luncheons, but it was part of the game. If you weren’t a member and didn’t attend, you would soon find your business drying up.
"Ron, Vince. How wonderful to see you?"
They both turned to see the smiling face of Miranda. They instinctively smiled back. Ron stood and kissed her hand.
"Miranda, you must simply join us," said Ron.
"Well, I don’t know," Miranda said playfully. "I see, George from the Mayor’s office across the way." She gave a little wave.
"Please, Miranda," said Vince in a worried 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 nice for you to notice," replied Miranda. Of course, they couldn’t help but notice.
Miranda, her beauty, her nails, her eyes and her jewelry continued to be the topic of conversation. Ron and Vince fawned over her ignoring their lunch and the first speaker.
As the Master of Ceremonies thanked the first speaker, men in black jumpsuits sporting red hearts on their chests started rolling out TVs on carts around the room.
"While we’re preparing for our next speaker, let me remind you of the upcoming functions," said the MC and he proceeded to read off a list of events.
Ron and Vince ignored the MC; they were captivated by Miranda.
Once the TVs were in place one of the men gave a signal to the MC.
"Well, I see we’re ready for our main speaker. Regina Hart is Chairwoman and Founder of the Hart Foundation, a philanthropic organization based in San Francisco. Ladies and gentlemen, Ms. Regina Hart." The attendees politely applauded, as a tall blonde in a slinky red dress stepped to the dais.
"Good Afternoon, Gentlemen," Regina said as she locked her emerald green eyes on the video camera. Her beautiful face, green eyes and red lips were displayed on the monitors all about the room.
"My name is Regina Hart and I have come here because I have something important to say. Something very important that I am sure you will want to hear. Listen closely to my words."
"Just listen to my words…it’s so easy to do…just relax…you have no worries…no cares…just listen to the sound of my voice…"
It was quickly apparent to Miranda what Regina Hart was up to. Her words. Her cadence. The repetition. She was attempting to hypnotize her audience. And it was working. The men in the room were transfixed, staring into Regina’s green eyes. Even Vince and Ron, who moments ago were fawning over Miranda, were now watching Regina. She was trying to put the whole room under her spell and succeeding.
Miranda had to act quickly before they succumbed to Regina’s trance. She interposed herself between Ron and Vince and the monitor."
"Boys, look into my eyes…deeply into my eyes…listen to me and carry out my commands. Ron, go and knock over all the TV monitors. Vince, go unplug the microphone.
Ron complied and started knocking the monitors off the stands. The loud crashes making Regina’s voice difficult to hear. She tried raising her voice, but Vince unplugged the microphone and Regina Hart fell silent. Visibly angry, and unable to be heard, she signaled to her crew to leave and she stormed off the dais.
"Roll the video from the luncheon," The Queen 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 room upsetting the monitor carts, and dismantling the sound system.
"Reverse it slowly."
The men walked backwards in slow motion to a table. A red head was seated. She was saying something to them.
"Freeze it. Now run the video from the night before on the other screen."
Jack complied.
Soforina was on the street with the two thieves.
"Stop the tape."
The tape kept rolling. Regina looked at Jack. He was staring at the video screen. Regina grabbed the controller 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 so good to lose yourself in my eyes and listen to my voice. Only my eyes and my voice... you’re going deeper and deeper into my control. Now, Jack, my pet, who is your Queen?
"You are."
"Very good," Regina smiled. "And Soforina"
"Who?"
"Very good, now that things are the 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 so good at noticing females. What can you tell me about them?"
Jack stared for a moment. "They are the same woman," he said triumphantly.
"Exactly, so. According to the luncheon records, that woman is Miranda McCollins. She’s about to have an unexpected visitor."
"Yes, My Queen. I am ready to serve. Tell me what I should do to her."
"Sorry, Jack. Not you. Go and get me Two."
"Two, but he’s the least exper-"
"Silence," Regina commanded as she waved her hand.
Jack stopped talking.
"You live to obey me, jack. Now go and fetch me Two and also locate Miranda McCollins address.
He bowed. "Yes, My Queen." And he left the room.
Regina stared at the screen with hatred. "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 to her penthouse shortly before 10pm. She found her door was ajar. She entered quietly. 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 and the luncheon. He was trying to open her wall safe.
"Can I help you? Soforina asked.
The burglar turned to face her. He was startled.
"Just look into my eyes."
He raised a knife.
"Just relax and listen to my voice."
He took one step towards her.
"Just relax and give in."
He stopped moving.
"That’s right just relax and listen to my voice…relax and listen…relax and listen…it so easy…it feels so good to relax and listen…look into my eyes…listen to my voice and go deeper and deeper under my spell…go deeper and deeper under my spell."
The man was lost in her eyes, her voice. He could not move.
"Tell me your name, "Soforina commanded.
"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 wear her symbol and serve only her."
"Look deeper into my eyes, fall deeper into my spell…Deeper and deeper….Only my voice…Under my spell…Obeying me only…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 back what is your name?
"Calvin."
"Very good, Calvin. Now to whom do you belong?"
"I belong to you."
Soforina smiled.
"Good now tell me where I can find Regina Hart…"
Calvin (The Two of Hearts) led Soforina to Central City’s waterfront district. He was now thoroughly under Soforina’s control and had no qualms about betraying his former Queen. He led her to a warehouse and he showed her the way in.
"How many are there?" asked Soforina.
"There's Three thru Ten. Plus Jack. He’s her favorite."
Miranda look annoyed.
"Where are they?"
"If they aren’t training, then they are probably playing cards. This way."
Calvin led her down a corridor to a door. She opened it slowly. She could see the men playing cards at a table across the room.
She entered the room.
"Do you boys mind if a girl plays?"
The men looked up
"Grab her."
They ran at her. Miranda side stepped two who crashed into a box.
"Look into my eyes," She said to the rest. They stopped.
"Deeper and deeper…." They were falling under her spell.
Suddenly Miranda heard a hissing sound. Gas. She covered her mouth and ran for the door. It was locked. She coughed. She was losing consciousness.
Soforina slowly awoke. At first she 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 was in a solitary white cell with a metal door and a TV screen suspended in one corner.
The screen flashed on and the beautiful face of Regina Hart appeared.
"Awake from our nap, Soforina, or should I call you Miranda McCollins?" The Queen asked triumphantly.
Soforina tried not to appear startled at the mention of her name.
"Oh, I know you have been able to hide your identity from the fools of this city for a long time, but it is obvious to anyone with half a brain who you really are," The Queen continued.
"And what do you plan to do with this information, Regina?" asked Soforina.
"Please call me Queen Regina. My Queen, or Your Highness, for I am the Queen of Hearts," she said regally. "After I 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 that is 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 like scrambled cable, and your voice isn’t much better. A battle between us might prove very interesting, but know this Miranda, after days of captivity, deprived of food, water and sleep, constantly subjected to my voice and my charms, you will weaken and eventually you will be mine. Maybe, I’ll even use this." And she held up Soforina’s crystal pendant. The light reflected off of it in a hundreds of spinning and swirling sparkles.
Miranda instinctively grabbed around her neck for the missing jewel.
The queen laughed again. "My subjects are so messy, and I have no one to clean up after them. Imagine that Miranda. Imagine being my maid," The Queen said seductively. "Just relax and imagine…"
"In your dreams," said a defiant Soforina.
"Soon enough you’ll kneel before me," said the annoyed Queen. "Anyway, I must go now. My soon to be adoring public awaits." And the screen went blank.
Soforina stared at her surroundings. The room was empty, except for an air vent
on the ceiling. But that was too high, and even if she was able to reach it, appeared to be too small to crawl through. She inspected the door. It had no handle and it appeared to be soundproof. Even if it was not, she was sure that the Queen of Hearts was not so foolish to have her minions anywhere within the range of her voice.
Soforina was really beginning to worry. She had seen the Queen of Hearts' power and she was sure that no one in the 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 her subjects.
She had no way of contacting Mark, the police, or anyone else disposed to help her...except, Calvin, the man she found in her penthouse, the man who had led her into this trap. He had been completely under Her spell. Soforina was sure the Queen had made him on of her subjects again. But Soforina hoped the Queen wasn't so skillful as to remove all of changes Soforina had made to his mind.
Anyone who fell under Soforina spell had subtle changes made to their mind. Small changes in the subconscious, in the way he thinks. Changes that ensured complete obedience and adoration. But she still had to reach his mind.
This would be quite a test for Soforina. Without her crystal pendant, and without the ability to influence her target 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 wall of the cell and down the hall. She found the Queen’s subjects all grouped in a room. She recognized her target at the card table, and began to enter his mind.
She went deeper and deeper into his mind. Deep into his subconscious, where she found her commands that she had placed earlier when he had fallen under her spell.
"Come to me," she whispered. "Come to me," she said again, this time strengthening the feeling. "You must come to your mistress. You need to see your mistress."
Calvin was holding an Ace-High Flush 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 in his cards.
"You must come to me, you must obey, come to your mistress," Soforina repeated over and over.
The need to see her was now growing stronger and stronger within Calvin. He didn’t even hesitate as he walked down the hallway that the Queen had forbidden him and all her other subjects to enter. His heart was pounding as he opened the door and beheld the glorious, beautiful sight of Soforina. He stared deeply into her oh-so-blue eyes.
"Very good, my pet. Now sleep," Soforina said, and Calvin slumped to the floor of the cell.
Soforina quickly walked down the hallway to the room with the Queen's subjects. "Hello boys," she said. "Ready for round two?"
The men closest to her stared to rush forward, but only got a few steps. Miranda was just so beautiful, so lovely to look at. And her deep blue eyes. They all stopped in their tracks, staring intently into her deep blue eyes.
"Which one of you is Jack?"
"I am." said a motionless man.
"Everyone, except Jack, is very tired and will now fall into a deep sleep." They all slumped to the floor.
Soforina approached Jack. He tried to move, but couldn’t.
"Where is the Regina Hart and what is her plan?" demanded Soforina
"Never, she is my Queen, I cannot betray her. She has seen to that."
Soforina focused deeper on his mind. One moment he was looking into beautiful blue eyes and the next he found himself falling...falling...falling... spinning...spinning and falling until he landed in a soft pile of hay. And when he opened his eyes he found himself staring at Soforina. He had never seen a woman so beautiful, so stunning.
She motioned with her finger from him to come towards her, and he responded without even thinking. As he stood before this incredible beautiful woman, he felt waves of love and adoration was over him.
"Kneel." commanded Soforina in a voice that sounded like it was coming from a dream.
Jack kneeled.
"Now to whom do you belong?" she asked.
"I belong to Soforina. I renounce my service to Regina Hart."
"You belong to me. You worship me. You must obey me."
"I belong to you. I worship you. I must obey you."
Soforina laughed. Despite the seriousness of the situation, she couldn’t help but be amused at Jack’s quick and utter submission to her.
"Now, Jack, tell me where Regina Hart is and what is her plan?"
"She is meeting with the men from the luncheon in the corporate boardroom of First City Bank & Trust at 3 o’clock."
"Good. Now Louis, I want you to call the police and confess all your crimes and then you will fall into a deep and natural sleep. Do you understand?
"Yes, my mistress."
Soforina raced out the door to stop Regina Hart.
In the boardroom of First City Bank & Trust seated around the large mahogany table were nineteen of most powerful men in the state: bankers, industrialists, and media moguls. And when Regina Hart walked into the room, every one of them stared in awe. She wore a bright red business suit. Her low cut blouse revealing a crystal heat shaped pendant between her tanned breaks. Her short skirt revealing her perfect thighs. She wore bright red high-heeled boots.
"I want to thank you all for coming hear on such short notice, after yesterday's technical troubles. I really look forward to communicating my message to all of you."
Regina then looked into the mirror on the far wall.
"My goodness," she said in mock distress. "Do I look that bad? If you gentlemen will indulge a girl for just a moment." And with that she removed a compact from her matching red handbag. The most powerful men in the city then stared in intently as Regina carefully applied make up to first her left and then her right cheek. While pretending to look 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 only to retrieve a lipstick holder. She heard a few audible gasps and she turned the base to produce a thick red stick that she began to apply to her lips.
"You know, it is very important for a girl to look her best."
The men's breathing was very shallow now, while their hearts were racing. Hearts that would belong to me along with all their worldly possessions thought Regina with glee. As she put her lipstick away, she could see that the men were entranced, oblivious to everything but Regina.
"Well gentlemen now that I have your undivided attention," she laughed. "I want to inform you that I am your Queen, and I rule all your hearts. You will call me Your Highness. You will also----
A blaring ringing suddenly rang out 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 stormed out of the room to find the source of the noise, and as she opened the door she found herself staring into the deep blue eyes of Soforina. Soforina waved her arm 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 to listen to my voice again. Yes my voice relaxing you deeper and deeper allowing you to go into deep hypnosis for me."
Unprepared for Soforina’s induction, Regina could not resist and fell into a deep trance. She followed Soforina mindlessly back into the room; there Soforina erased any remnants of the Queen’s control over the men, and also made sure to leave them very obedient and grateful to her.
Miranda waited until a special police squad equipped for extraordinary criminals arrived to take the Queen of Hearts away.
Back at the Queen of Hearts hideout, the police had responded to Jack’s cal and found the sleeping henchmen. The police searched for evidence. While searching through some lockers, Officer Darcy Cosgrove found a beautiful blue crystal pendant. Normally, Officer Cosgrove would follow procedure and bag the sparkling jewel for evidence, but something in the pendant caught her eye. It’s so beautiful the way it reflects the light... the way it draws the eye towards it... it seems almost irresistible.
"I don’t have any jewelry, as nice as this, " thought Darcy. "It would be nice to wear something this pretty."
And for the first time in her three years on the force, Officer Darcy Cosgrove broke a regulation and pocketed the pendant.
A week later in the Central City courthouse, tempers were heating up.
"Your honor this is outrageous. Not only does depriving my client the right to attend her own trial violate common 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 a point. 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 is precedent. Purple Man v. Reno established the right of the government to exclude individuals with extraordinary abilities from trial if, in the court's opinion that those abilities would impair the jury from reaching the proper verdict."
Raynor arose, "Your honor, Purple Man is not applicable. In that case, the defendant had been dumped in a vat of chemicals giving him a uniquely non-human power to control the minds of others. My client is just a pretty woman who allegedly conspired with others to commit 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 minds of the richest and most powerful men in the city."
Raynor replied. "Your honor, if you rule against me, I will appeal on the grounds that the Ms. Decker is too attractive. Her looks will end up influencing the jury. No way I can try my case if she is prosecuting. Do you see how ridiculous this is?"
"Enough," said the judge. "I'll want your briefs on this tomorrow morning. For now court is adjourned." And he banged his gavel.
The judge retired to his chambers and was pleasantly surprised to find none other than Miranda McCollins waiting for him.
"Miranda, how delightful to see you, but how did you get past security. With all the terror alters, this has been declared a restricted area, you know."
"Oh," she smiled. "I just asked if I 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 his name. "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 have conversations with me, remember. You used to like to listen to my voice," said Miranda seductively. "Remember how good it feels to listen to my voice." Judge Anderson was staring deeply into Miranda’s eyes now. "Remember, how good it felt to relax...and to go into deep hypnosis for me." And with that the judge’s eyes slammed shut.
Miranda continued. "Remember how good it feels to listen my voice... to listen to my words... to obey my voice.... must obey all my words..."
"Yes," the judge managed.
"And there is nothing you would rather do then obey me...it feels so good to obey me...feels so good to obey me completely, doesn't it?"
"Yes."
"Now then, you will rule to let Regina 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 follow all of my commands even when you are not in trance. Can you do this thing for me?
"Yes, Miranda."
"Good now your will fall into a normal 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 a wide grin on her face.
What happens when a powerful hypnotic charm falls into the unsuspecting hands of a mere mortal?
And why is Miranda commanding the judge to set The Queen of Hearts free?
Find out in Chapter 2 "Soforina Goes to Washington!"
