"Now, Michelle," Norton began, smiling. "I just have a couple of questions to ask you. Are you married?"
"No," she said, with the same monotone voice she had a moment earlier. When his subjects were in the hypnotic trance, they would always talk like that.
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"My work is more important to me than having a relationship."
"Have you ever had a boyfriend?"
"Yes."
"When was the last time?"
"In college, over fifteen years ago."
"And you dumped him?"
"No. He dumped me. For another girl."
"Could you describe the other girl?"
"Big breasts, blond hair; she was a sorority girl."
"And you weren't?" Norton asked.
"No. I was focused on school, not partying."
"And what was your major?"
"Business."
"Of course, since you're a CEO."
She didn't say anything. He didn't ask a question.
"Do you have any family?"
"No. My parents died ten years ago. And I'm an only-child."
"Were you close to them?"
"Yes."
"You must have been very sad when they died, right?"
"Yes."
"Do you drink ... alcohol, I mean?"
"Sometimes I drink wine."
"So you don't drink booze?"
"I don't."
"What about drugs? Have you ever used drugs?"
"No."
"Not even to experiment with?"
"No."
"What about cigarettes? Do you smoke?"
"No."
"Have you ever committed a crime? Even a small one?"
"No."
"So ... you're focused on your job, you have no sexual relationship happening, you don't drink, you don't smoke, you don't use drugs, you don't like partying, you obey the law ... and you dress in the most plain and boring outfits." It wasn't a question. Norton was just spelling it all out.
But he was pleased. There was quite a lot of material here that he could work with. He could change any one of these memories or thoughts and she wouldn't be the wiser. He could change her into a completely different woman.
"Now, Michelle. Listen to me."
Michelle was sitting on the sofa, sitting up rigidly, eyes in a zombie stare, awaiting what he had to tell her.
Norton smiled and said ...
