"You see Laura- May I call you Laura?" Dr. DeGonia asked, but continued before Laura could respond. "You see Laura, you're about to become a very important part of scientific progress today."
"You kidnapped me to perform some sort of experiment?!" Laura asked, appalled.
"Don't worry, you're in no physical danger," DeGonia assured. "What I'm testing is purely within the area of the psyche. You see, the human mind is a wonderful thing, a tool so powerful we still don't fully understand it. What you and I will be doing over the next few days is plumbing the depths in a way some of my colleagues in the scientific community might find unethical."
"You want to tamper with my mind? You sick, ungodly man!" Laura spat.
DeGonia ignored the jab. "To answer you question, yes. specifically I plan to perform an experiment on the part of human brain that stores the information of memories. Our ability to memorize is a remarkable thing really, the basis of all our learning, all our experiences. But what most people don't realize is how malleable the human memory is. In a study, researchers were able to convince subjects into remembering a false memory of their childhood, particularly if their parents were the ones telling the story. Just think, being told an experience, and your mind fabricates it for you! Those defining moments, those building blocks to ourselves, able to be falsified by the creativity of our mind!"
"You're planning to give me false memories?" Laura asked.
"Something like that, Laura. You see, another thing people don't realize is how vulnerable our brain is to outside influences. It shouldn't be surprising, really: a series of electric and chemical impulses can be easily altered. People prove that often enough with the consumption of alcohol or other psychoactive substances. But it goes beyond that. In another experiment, scientists fired a harmless electromagnet into subject's skulls, and managed to dampen their entire sense of conscience. Suddenly perfectly normal human being concluded that those actions society typically deemed as immoral or barbaric to be perfectly reasonable, especially if it was profitable. Of course, I'm somewhat exaggerating the effects, and the effect only lasted as long as the magnet was actively at work on their mind, but you get the notion."
"And you've found a magnet which can effect my memory," Laura said, terrified.
DeGonia smiled. "Something like that, yes. I've found a way to put your memory in a state of complete flux, to be able with simple suggestions rewrite your past, your defining experiences. You'll be my fourth subject: The first three have all been moderate to complete successes, but we're going to push the envelop with you, Laura."
"You can't do this! This isn't right!" Laura cried out.
DeGonia smiled, as a humming noise began on either side of Laura. "Right has nothing to do with my ability to do it, Laura. I'll leave you be to allow the electromagnetic flow to properly effect your brain. Someone will arrive shortly to ask you a question or two."
And with that DeGonia left, shutting the light off as he went, leaving Laura alone in the dark with the terrifying humming noise all around her.
