You slide your glasses up your nose and tuck a loose strand of hair back into your tight bun. You stick your head out your office door and say "Miss Grace, I'll see you when you're ready." The blonde folds up her magazine and follows you in.

She sits on the couch and you in your office chair. "Do you remember where we were last time?" You don't look down at your notes. You already know.

"Isn't it your job to remember?" She crosses one leg over the other. "It's been like a month. I got stuff going on."

"We were going to try a different kind of therapy. How does that sound?"

"Sure. Hook me up." Grace is more interested in her fingernails than you.

"Are you familiar with hypnosis?"

"You could say that." She smiles.

"Would you be willing to try it?"

"I could be convinced."

You produce a opalescent crystal on a long chain. "Get comfortable, please, and look here."

You sway the crystal. Grace watches it politely. "Pretty."

"Very." You agree. "Just watch it swing back and forth for me."

"Back and forth?"

"Back and forth."

"You're good at watching it." Grace teases.

"Don't make jokes. This is for your own good."

"You are, though. I bet you're already letting your thoughts go dim. Your eyes are getting heavy. You're nice and safe with me."

"Miss Grace, please-"

"Please Miss Grace." She corrects

"Please Miss Grace." You repeat. You watch.

She nods. "I love watching you fall back under my spell."

"Under your spell."

"Sleep." Snap!

Your eyes fall shut. You collapse on her. She whispers into your ear. "Good girl." You hear. You like those words.

Snap! "Princess wants you up."

You hold your clipboard in your big, clumsy kitty paws and make sure your pointy ears are on straight. "Nyexcellent session this week, Miss Grace. Same time next month."

"Looking forward to it." She bats the big silver bell on your collar.