Chapter 1

"C'mon, Kirk. It'll be fun."Karen Gibbons gave her younger brother a playful shove then poked him inthe ribs trying to get him to lighten up. Kirk tried to suppress a smileand gave her a `knock it off' glare in return, but she could see that hewas definitely coming around.Karen was sitting at a corner table at Denny's, enjoying a late nightcoffee with her brother and her friend Claudette and Claudette's daughterSandy after a movie at the Cinema 4 theater downtown. It was late, andKaren could tell that her brother was getting tired and wanted to go home,but she was still enjoying herself with the company of her best friends andwasn't quite ready to leave. They had gone to the restaurant after themovie, a usual ritual when the four of them got together, and they had beenhaving fun sipping coffee and chatting for what seemed hours now-"Are you scared, Kirk?"Claudette smiled in a sly knowing way as she lit a cigarette, blowing smokeacross the table at Kirk. Karen saw it and had to smile as well. Claudettewas directing her attention on her brother, but Karen could see that shewas keeping everyone at the table involved with a slight glance. Claudetteknew how to work a crowd, certainly. She was a psychiatrist at the HardenMental Institute outside of town and it was a part of her job to get to theroot of a person's problems and inhibitions- to know how and what theythought. She used everything at her disposal, from her brains to her looksto the very way that she held herself in conversation. Claudette Martin wasnot beautiful by any means, mind, but she carried herself well. She wasalmost forty, and her hair was lightly streaked with gray but well styledand always in place. She wore little make-up, but always just enough itseemed. She was a bit average to put it mildly, but she wore clothes toaccentuate her breasts and ass and legs, tonight a pair of tight blackslacks, leather low-heeled pumps and a gray turtleneck sweater. Withoutlooking Karen knew that Claudette had her legs crossed under the table andwas casually swinging her foot brushing the toe of her shoe against Kirk'spant leg. Just a bit of flirting, but Karen knew that it was making herbrother uncomfortable as he shifted slightly on the plastic seat of thebooth."He looks scared," Sandy chuckled, tapping a cigarette of her own on theFormica tabletop. "He's startin' to sweat." They all laughed as Kirkshifted in his seat again and flushed red. Karen reached across the tableand touched Sandy on the arm, smiling widely at her little joke, eventhough it was the truth. Sandy Martin smiled back and winked, and Karenfelt her own skin warm in her cheeks.Sandy was five years younger than she was at her own twenty-nine, but shestill had a certain charm that occasionally got her hot. She was gorgeouscertainly, with black curly hair and her mother's dark, Mediterraneancomplexion. She was in good shape too, which only made her more appealing,tall and fit with dreamy dark eyes. They had dated once not so long ago,despite the difference in their ages. It was on a lark really, and had noteven started as a date per se. Karen and Claudette had been planning adouble date actually with two doctors that Claudette knew from thearea. Karen's date had cancelled at the last minute however, being on call,and Claudette had suggested that Sandy sit in on the foursome rather thanKaren spend the night alone at home. It had only been dinner and maybedancing originally, and Karen figured that she could call it an early nightafter hanging out with Sandy for awhile. It had not worked out that way.Sandy Martin had been totally into Karen and a fun date besides. She was amarvelous dancer, and he had an endless line of stories from her time atcollege in New York City. She had been charming and sincere, and maybeKaren had had just a bit too much to drink, but one thing had led toanother and the short date had turned into a long night on the town endingat her apartment. She had taken her best friend's daughter to her bed andshe had been incredible! Sandy had known just what she wanted it seemed,just what she had needed, and Karen had returned in kind. It had been thebest sex she had ever had, and she still remembered the night warmly. Thathad not been Karen's first lesbian encounter, and Karen did not think ofherself as being gay, but bi with Sandy was definitely a possibility.Sandy knew how to lick her, every inch of her.If only she was not so young. Too, she had no real job yet, having justgraduated and taking a bit of a vacation after school. She was living withher mother for a time now, weighing her options, though potentially she hadthe world at her feet. She was intelligent and had received top marks atNYU Law School. She could have gotten a job with any law firm in Manhattan,but for some reason she chose to return home for a decidedly lesser careerin their hometown. It was hardly New York with barely thirty thousandpeople, but that was just another point in her favor that she would give upthe stardom for her home. She was a decent, real woman...Just so young...Karen sighed, taking a cigarette that Sandy offered and leaning forward forher to light it. She heard her brother cough, saw him wave his hands aboutto dispel the smoke as there were now three people at the tablesmoking. His face was twisted in disgust, and he looked as though he wasabout to start whining. She wished that her lazy, lay-about brother weremore like Sandy Martin!She looked at her brother seated beside her in the booth and rolled hereyes at the annoyed scowl that he was giving her. Kirk was a little dweebsometimes, and she often wondered if maybe he had been adopted. They lookednothing alike really, beyond the shape of their noses that was similar andthe sandy color of their hair. Where Karen was tall and curvy- at leastthree inches taller than her little brother's five-foot-seven- he was shortand skinny. Karen worked out, her muscles toned and her legs long andstrong from running. Kirk was slim and almost frail, his body practicallystraight as a board and almost girlish- like a twelve-year-old. Karen wasnot well endowed, like Claudette, but she was mammoth compared to herstick-like brother. She looked at him now and had to suppress anothersmile. With his long hair and slim face he almost looked like a littlegirl. Hell, with a bit of make-up-"I'm not scared!"Karen blinked to hear her brother's voice choking out a denial. He almostsqueaked, rasping at the smoke billowing about him and she had togiggle. Sandy and Claudette laughed as well and simply blew more smoke inhis direction, adding to his discomfort. Kirk glared, waving at the smokebut said nothing, taking it. Wimp!"Then why won't you do it, Kirk?" Claudette smiled, raising her eyebrow atthe younger man. She was almost twenty years older than the youngerGibbons, but Karen had seen the way that her brother glanced sidelong ather friend sometimes. He was eighteen, and at that age when any womanlooked good to a point. Hell, she had caught him stealing glances at her atime or two as well as Sandy, and she knew that Claudette stirred somethingin him. He was still blushing."It's stupid!" he snapped, taking a sip of his coffee. "The movie wasstupid! People can't be hypnotized like that."Karen saw Claudette's smile widen at her brother's denial, but she had toadmit that she probably agreed with him on that. The movie they had seenhad been a crime thriller, and in the end it had turned out that the killerhad been hypnotized by his wife and best friend to get him put away in jailso that they could inherit his fortune. The movie had been all right, butthe plot had had a few holes in it. Karen had always heard that no onecould be hypnotized to do anything against their true nature- and mosttimes that included killing. Claudette disagreed, and said that anyonewould do anything while hypnotized if the circumstances were right,including murder. Karen figured that Claudette knew what she was talkingabout as she often used hypnosis in her job. Karen had seen her friend inaction, and wanted to believe her, but she still had her doubts."Yes they can," Claudette countered, her voice sure and steady. "I couldhypnotize you to kill, if the conditions were right.""No way!" Kirk objected, and Karen had to agree. She just could not pictureher skinny little brother hurting anyone, let alone killing them. Still,she was intrigued-"What do you mean by conditions, Claudette?" Karen asked, taking a longdrag from her cigarette and following suit with her friends by blowing thesmoke at her brother."Well, I probably couldn't make you kill anyone outright," Claudette saidsipping at her own coffee, "but I could make you so dedicated that youwould kill to protect me, and maybe even kill someone that you really,really hated. They say that hypnotized people won't go against theirnature, and that's true to a point, but if the opportunity presents itself,well, you would do what you had to do while in a trance because not doingso would affect you even worse.""What do you mean, Mom?" Sandy asked, suddenly interested and sitting alittle straighter."Well, part of my job is to delve into the psyche of the allegedlycriminally insane. I've put more than a few people under; thieves andrapists, wife-beaters, and what I do is implant suggestions that will getthem to change their way of thinking. Just last week in fact I had thechance to prove that point. I was presented with a man that had beat hiswife and put her in the hospital. In hopes of reducing his sentence hevolunteered to be a subject for me, signing all the proper forms andagreeing to be hypnotized into changing his attitude. He was like you,Kirk. He didn't believe, but I soon changed his tune. I put him under-though he was a bit stubborn I'll admit. In the end however, I implantedthe suggestion in his subconscious that if he ever raised his hand againsta woman that he would double over in agonizing pain."After I brought him out I tested my theory and started to belittle him,insulting his manhood and life, and finally slapping him in the end. He hadagreed to everything, remember? Well, as soon as he raised his hand, evento defend himself, he cried out and grabbed his stomach with cramps. Hedropped to his knees in agony, moaning and crying for me to stop whatever Ihad done. The only way for him to ease the pain was to apologize to me- toactually beg my forgiveness. That was another suggestion I had implanted. Ilet him writhe around on the ground, watching him and laughing until hefigured that out for himself. When he finally apologized and actuallybegged for me to forgive him he had been in intense pain for almost aquarter of an hour. He got the idea though.""Damn, Mom," Sandy chuckled, "you're a bitch!" Claudette laughed. Karenglanced at her brother and saw that he was still sweating and looked evenmore uncomfortable after Claudette's story. She wondered if maybe Claudettewas already trying to hypnotize her brother and wondered what she might doto help. It could be fun."C'mon, Kirk..." Karen said again, nudging her brother and rubbing his legwith her foot. She felt him shift again, but knew that he wasconsidering. She changed her tactics. "Let her try. Just show her that youcan't be hypnotized.""Well..." Kirk hesitated, his gaze shifting about the table, then lookingabout the room. They had requested to be placed in a back, corner boothaway from the rest of the patrons, as they tended to get loud attimes. There were only a few people in the restaurant however, the closesta lone truck driver nursing a cup of coffee and reading a newspaper."You won't make me do anything stupid will you? Bark like a dog or clucklike a chicken? None of that shit!"Claudette chuckled, chaining another cigarette to life. "You won't doanything that you don't want to Kirk. Your subconscious will protectyou. See, in the case of the wife beater, he didn't really want to hitwomen. He knew that was wrong so it was easy to set him up against it. Youdon't want to bark like a dog, so your psyche won't let you. You'll only dowhat you think is right and proper."Karen heard Sandy snigger, and wondered what the joke was. What did sheknow? Finally Kirk nodded-"Okay," he sighed, trying to get comfortable. "What do I have to do?"Claudette smiled and started digging into her over-sized leather bag. Sheeventually produced her cigarette lighter and flicked it to life beforesetting it on the table. The flame flickered and wavered in the room's airconditioning, but the fire did not die."Just watch the flame, Kirk, and concentrate on my voice and what Isay. Try to relax." Claudette looked about the room, "It's a bit bright inhere, but if you watch the flame, the pretty flickering flame, it should befine. Watch the flame, Kirk. Watch what I do..."Claudette waved her hand above the Zippo's fire, flicking her fingersthrough the top of the flame making it waver and dance. "Watch the flame,Kirk, and relax. Think happy, calming thoughts. Can you do that for me?"Her voice was low and soothing, and Karen found it hard not to listen;though she did not want to fall under herself. She looked away from thelighter, watching her brother as he licked his lips and stared at thesmall, flickering fire. His blue eyes were wide but intense and Karenthought that he already seemed mesmerized."It's pretty isn't it? Look at the way it dances." Claudette wiggled herfingers in and out of the flame, her long nails shining in the light. Herhands were smooth and soft, her rings sparkling. "It's beautiful. Sorelaxing... You could watch the fire all night, couldn't you Kirk?" sheasked, her voice soft and half singing, but her tone was like speaking to achild, short and simple."Yes..." Karen gasped to hear her brother's soft reply. He sounded halfasleep already. Karen glanced up at Sandy and saw her grinning and wonderedif she was doing so from personal experience. Had Claudette hypnotized herown daughter before?"You love the flame. You love the way that it flickers and dancesabout. You love the way my pretty fingers control the flame. You love theway that it smokes, the way it roils up and about. The smoke makes you calmand relaxed. You love the smell of the smoke. You crave the smell ofcigarettes, and lighters and smoke. It relaxes you. It makes you high, thesmell, the cool flavor of smoke makes you relaxed and high and calm."Claudette glanced aside at Sandy and then at Karen. Sandy took a deep dragfrom her cigarette, pursed her lips and blew the smoke right into Kirk'sface. He did not cough at all, but rather inhaled deeply. Karen quicklyfollowed suit, mimicking Sandy with a long, drawn out breath. Before long,Kirk was enshrouded in a billowing cloud of blue smoke, and Karen could seehis head starting to droop, his eyelids fluttering. Oddly, he was smilingstupidly, like he was drunk."The smoke makes you high and calm," Claudette continued, adding her owncigarette smoke to the growing cloud. "You crave the smoke. You love thefire because it makes you feel good. You want to feel good. Everyone wantsto feel good. You would do anything to feel good. You crave the smoke, BOY,and would do anything for anyone who made you feel so good by smoking, bysharing their smoke with you. The smoke calms you, and you want to becalm... relaxed... It makes you feel almost indebted and subservient, andyou want to do anything for anyone who smokes and makes you feel so good toreturn the favor. Any woman! Any man! The smoke and flame relaxes you..."Kirk's eyelids were drooping though he was struggling to watch theflame. His attention wavered, following Claudette's other hand as she waveda cigarette about, taking a long, slow drag, blowing smoke, and flickingher ash away. Too he watched Sandy and Karen as they joined in. He wassplit three ways, watching the three cigarettes dance about in the air overthe table, circling the flaming Zippo."You feel so good now. Relaxed... Indebted... You love us don't you,because we make you feel so good? Sandy and I, and your sister? We smoke,and we make you feel relaxed. You feel so calm. You could probably just nodoff if we would stop talking. You want to, don't you boy? You're so calmnow that you just want to sleep."Kirk tried to answer, but in the end simply nodded, trying to keep his eyesopen and watching the flame and cigarettes. His eyelids were almost closed,and his head was bobbing on his shoulders."You can sleep if you want. You trust us, Kirk, and you know that if youwant to just go to sleep you can. Go ahead, boy. Sleep..."Sleep..."Kirk's head nodded forward, his chin resting on his chest. Karen placed herhand on his chest and pushed him back against the seat, afraid that hewould fall forward and crack his head on the table. His head lolled back ashe started to snore, his mouth hanging open."Wow" Karen gasped, looking at her now-slumbering brother. "Is he out?" sheasked, looking at Claudette as she closed up her lighter and slipped itback into her bag. She knew the answer already, just looking at Kirk."Totally. He's under and ready to do whatever we tell him," she stared atKirk, "aren't you, Kirk?""Yes..."Karen giggled to hear her brother's low, monotone response. His eyes wereclosed but his head bobbed back up as Claudette addressed him."Kirk..." she started, blowing smoke from her cigarette at him, "Boy... Youdon't mind if I call you `boy' do you?""No...""It's just a term of affection, really. It just means I like you. I'vegiven you a pet name. Boy... Say it back.""Boy," Kirk responded, and Karen had to stifle a giggle. He almost soundedlike a little boy."I know you trust me," Claudette continued, "but I want you to respect meas well. You do respect me don't you? I'm a doctor after all, and everyonerespects doctors and lawyers. And I'm older than you, and everyone shouldrespect their elders, even if the age is only a few years or even days.""Yes..."Claudette smiled. "Then I want you to address me as Ma'am to show yourrespect from now on. Even after you wake up you will show me the respectthat I deserve and you will address me as Ma'am. I am better than you areafter all. I'm a doctor, and your elder, and a woman too, and you werebrought up to respect women I know. I'm a woman and I deserve to be spokento with the proper respect. Isn't that right?""Yes... Ma'am...""Good, boy." Claudette smiled, chaining yet another cigarette tolife. Karen saw Sandy do the same, and when she handed her another, she didas well."Very good. But it would be better if you addressed everyone as Ma'am orSir. After all, Karen is your elder and your better as well. She's anoffice manager and commands many people at her job. Her subordinatesrespect her as their boss and as a woman. She deserves to be called Ma'amtoo. And Sandy as well. She is obviously better than you are! She's olderand stronger and better looking. She's a lawyer, obviously yourbetter. From now on you will call her Miss, and Karen and I- any woman thatspeaks to you for that matter- you will answer with a respectful`Ma'am'. Do you understand?""Yes, Ma'am..."Karen felt herself getting damp and warm between her legs to see herbrother answering Claudette so respectfully. She had to bite her lip tokeep from laughing outloud, afraid that she might break the spell that heldher brother in thrall. Claudette simply smiled."Anyone who smokes is your better, and you want to show them the respectthat they deserve too, because they make you feel so good. In fact, youwill do whatever they ask just to please them, they are so much better thanyou. You will feel small and inadequate before people who smoke. They arecool and superior, and you are low and beneath them. When someone issmoking in your presence, you will want to do whatever you can to make themhappy. The sight of their cigarette will be like a phallus to you, and youwill worship whoever smokes before you. You will show them utter respectand answer their questions and do what they say without hesitation. Smokingmakes you hot, and horny, and hard. You will crave release when you seesomeone smoking, but know that you won't get it until you do as theysay. No matter what they say, you will do it. It is your purpose in lifenow to make smokers happy. Do you understand?""Yes, Ma'am!"Karen was surprised at her brother's quickening responses. The moreClaudette spoke it seemed, the deeper Kirk went under. All the whileClaudette and Sandy were blowing smoke about Kirk, and Karen too. She couldsee that he was almost in ecstasy, and a quick glance at his crotch showedthat he was getting hard as well. Claudette glanced at her daughter,nodding slightly and Sandy leaned forward-"Do you respect me, Kirk?" She took a drag on her cigarette, working thebutt in and out of her full lips and Kirk almost seemed to whimper."Yes, Miss...""And what about me, Kirk?" Karen chimed in, almost giddy with the game. "Doyou respect me too?""Yes, Ma'am...""Damn..."Karen leaned back in the booth and took a long drag from her cigarette. Herheart was racing, and she felt warm under her arms and between herlegs. She was sure that there was a damp spot showing in her owncrotch. She glanced across the table at Claudette, but her friend simplysmiled conceitedly and tapped ash into the glass tray on the table."Told you." She smiled even wider, her gaze drifting momentarily to herdaughter. Sandy was staring at Kirk, and Karen could see her wheels turningas she smiled, biting on her lower lip."Makes me wonder what you did to me when you had me under, Mom," she saidsuppressing a giggle. Karen felt a quick tingle shoot down her spine tohear Sandy's sweet chiming laugh.Claudette laughed. "You, my darling daughter, I just gave direction. Iwanted you to excel in school, and you did." Sandy shrugged, but shereturned her mother's contagious smile, a twinkle in her eyes.Karen puffed on her cigarette, taking a long hard look at her entrancedbrother again before turning back to Claudette. "So, I guess you betterwake him up again.""Why?" Claudette asked, looking to the young man. "He's not complaining.""Well, you proved your point. Not that he'll remember when you wake himup.""He'll remember whatever I want him to remember. All of it, or nothing, oranything in between.""Really?" Karen asked, her eyes growing wide. Claudette nodded."It's true, if I just woke him now he'd remember nothing like he'd beenasleep. It'd be like a dream that he couldn't quite recall. If I tell himotherwise though, he'll remember everything, or whatever I tell him. He'slike a sculptor's lump of clay right now. I just have to moldhim. Watch...""Kirk?" Claudette asked, no longer even relying on the cigarette to get theattention she wanted. Karen realized that her brother was totallyenthralled."Boy?" Claudette repeated softly, using his new `pet' name. "Can you hearme?""Yes, Ma'am.""Good. I'm going to wake you soon, but I want you to remember a few thingsfirst. Understand?""Yes, Ma'am.""Good." Claudette turned to Karen; "You need to use positive reinforcementas you're laying suggestions. Like a dog, praise helps them to remember."Claudette turned back to Kirk."Kirk. You respect us, I know. You respect us because we smoke, and we arecooler than you are, better than you. But I want you to know that EVERYONEis better than you are! You will show everyone respect, because you are theleast, the lowest person on the face of the Earth."Karen gasped and reached towards Claudette, but her friend pulled back andshook her head. Sandy reached out and gently grasped Karen's hand,whispering-"Wait..."Karen hesitated, watching, waiting to see what would happen next."You will show respect to everyone! You will respond `Ma'am' or `Sir' toeveryone who says anything to you. Anyone! If a bum on the street asks youfor change you will say `Yes, Sir' and give him all your money. Because heis better than you are! If someone asks you directions you will stop whatyou are doing and lead them where they want to go. If someone asks for helpyou will do all that you can to make them happy, no matter what, whateverthey want – ""No!" Karen leaned forward again. This was going too far! It was too much!Claudette was turning her brother into... into...A slave!Karen licked her lips at the thought. She hesitated, imagining her brotherdoing whatever she asked without the back talk, without any hesitation. Andnot just her, by what Claudette was saying, he would now obey everyone;their parents, her friends and neighbors, even a stranger on thestreet. She felt her panties getting damp as she thought about it, andheard Sandy chuckling-"Yeah, you like that don't you?" Sandy whispered as she leaned in acrossthe table. She was smiling, and Karen did her best not to smile as well."It's not right... " she said, but she could hear that her voice lackedconviction."No, it's not." Sandy shrugged, flipping her hair back over hershoulder. "But it'll be fun.""Do you understand?" Claudette continued, ignoring the conversation goingon across the table. Kirk was staring blankly at Claudette, his cockpressing into his jeans Karen saw. She had reinforced that helping othersand serving others would excite him, and apparently just listening to hersay that was getting him more and more erect."Yes, Ma'am.""Good. I'm going to wake you in a moment, but when you wake up I want youto remember that I was able to hypnotize you, and that will make youhumble, knowing that I was right and you were wrong. You'll remember everycommand I've given you, but not in your conscious mind. You will do allI've said, willingly and slavishly, but you will not balk. It might seemwrong, and it may be embarrassing, even humiliating, but not doing it willbe even worse. No matter what you are told to do- no matter how degrading-you will do it, and though it might make you wonder, you will hurt if youtry not to carry out your orders. You will feel pain, and be miserableuntil you comply."Do you understand?""Yes, Ma'am.""Good. Now remember your triggers, and when I count to three you will wakeup, knowing that I hypnotized you and extremely sorry that you doubted myabilities even though you do not remember anything that happened while youwere out..."One..."Two..."Three!"Karen watched with excitement as Kirk Gibbons blinked and looked around thetable between his her and their two friends. They were all staring at himand smiling, Karen especially, wide-eyed and speechless at the look on hisface. When he looked at Claudette she saw a blush of embarrassment colorhis cheeks. She knew that he felt the need to apologize for ever doubtingher abilities as a hypnotist, but was finding it hard to do so."Claudette..." he squeaked, the skin on his arms raising goosebumps as theshame washed through his body. Oddly too, Karen saw him getting hard as hetried to look at Claudette and hold eye contact. He couldn't, and looked atthe smoldering cigarette between her fingers instead."Claudette, Ma'am, I'm sorry. You were right, and easily hypnotized me. Ifeel so low and stupid for doubting you." Claudette laughed lightly, wavingaway his apology with her cigarette."That's okay, Kirk. I get that from better men than you." Kirk felt smallat what she said and hung his head in shame. Karen watched in awe, her eyesgrowing wider to see her brother behaving so meekly and subserviently. Hewas acting like a pussy, and it was all Claudette's idea."No doubts now?" she asked, and Kirk stared at her for a moment."No, Ma'am." Karen felt her brother shiver as he hung his head again. Hecould not seem to look any of them in the eyes. Had Claudette told him thatas well, or was that something that naturally came to mind, something thatwas in his nature? Claudette smiled, directing her attention to Karen witha sly wink."Kirk?" she said, and Karen saw her brother focus on her friend, hanging onher every word. "I seem to have dropped a French fry under the table..."Karen glanced down, wondering. None of them had ordered any food, but therewas a dirty French fry on the filthy tiled floor near Claudette'sfeet. Karen looked back to her friend."Could you get it for me, please?""Yes, Ma'am."Karen watched, dumbfounded as her brother twisted about, trying to gropefor the French fry that was out of his reach under the table. She looked atClaudette, wondering what was next, though she suspected upon seeing herfriend's wicked grin."Go ahead and crawl under the table, Kirk. Get the French fry, there's agood boy."Kirk seemed to shudder at the word `boy', but as Karen watched, withouthesitation her brother slipped down beneath the table onto his hands andknees. Karen scrunched back into her seat, trying to watch and saw herbrother reaching for the French fry beside the toe of Claudette's foot. Healmost had it, but at the last moment her friend shifted her foot andbrought it down atop the old, stale fry, mashing it into the floor."Oops..." Claudette sniggered, "I'm sorry, Kirk. Thanks anyway, but I don'twant it now. You can have it."Karen watched as Claudette recrossed her legs and twisted her foot so thatthe sole of her black pump was facing Kirk squarely. She could see thedirty, mashed French fry smeared on the bottom of her friend's shoe. Kirkstared at it for just a moment, as though considering what to do. His nosewrinkled, no doubt from the smell coming from Claudette's foot dangling soclose to his face, but too she saw a wince of pain wash across hisfeatures. Finally, though slowly, he leaned in and started to lick themashed and filthy fry from the bottom of Claudette's shoe. Claudette andSandy laughed out loud, and Karen could not help but giggle herself,covering her mouth to suppress her own laughter. Her little brother justlooked so pathetic –"Can I get you folks somethin' else?"Karen squeaked, jumping slightly as she looked up to see their Denny'swaitress standing at their table, steaming coffeepot in hand. She was acute woman, younger than Karen, and probably Sandy as well. She was dressedin the typical Denny's uniform of brown and orange skirt and blouse with adarker brown apron and black loafers on her feet. She looked frazzled andtired though, her blonde hair out of place with loose strands escaping herponytail and bags under her deep blue eyes. Claudette and Sandy looked upas well, but neither seemed surprised or worried at her suddenappearance. Karen glanced back beneath the table and saw her brotheroblivious, still scraping mashed potato from the sole of Claudette's shoewith his teeth and tongue."I don't think so." Claudette said, holding her hand over her coffeecup. "Just the check." The waitress smiled, pulling her check pad from herapron pocket and adding up the total. She glanced at the empty space whereKirk had been just moments before."There were four of you right?" she asked, looking at the half empty cup inKirk's empty place at the table."Yeah," Sandy said with a smirk. "He's under the table licking dirt off thebottom of my mother's shoe."Karen moaned, sure that the young woman would run off and call the police,but she did not seem disturbed. Karen imagined she had seen a lot, workingthe late shift at the restaurant. Still, the waitress gave Sandy a queerlook and a twisted smile of doubt as she stepped back and peered under thetable. Karen had to laugh to see the woman's eyes grow wide."Oh my god!" she squealed backing up another step. "He- he reallyis... he's licking your shoes!" Claudette laughed."Yeah. My shoes got a bit dirty and Kirk was nice enough to volunteer toclean them for me. Wasn't that sweet?" Claudette grinned, and Karen saw hertap her brother in the cheek with the side of her shoe. "He'll clean yoursif you like... Jeanie." Claudette read the name from the plastic tag pinnedon the girl's lapel. "Would you like that?""I..."The young woman blinked, and Karen was afraid that she might faint, but shedidn't. Surprisingly she held her ground as Kirk scrambled out from beneaththe table and started to kiss and lick the woman's loafers at Claudette'scommand. The suggestions that Claudette had planted had taken hold, and heseemed to know his new, lower station in life. Still, the waitress gasped."Jesus..." she said, and Karen could see that she was torn between enjoyingthe attention and running away. She stared curiously as Kirk leaned in,lapping at the soft leather of her loafers, breathing deeply what had to bea pungent aroma. Karen could not imagine how bad the younger woman's feetmust smell. Her shoes looked old and worn, and Jeanie looked to be on thelast legs of her shift. She musty have been walking around in god knowswhat in her loafers for hours. Still, Kirk licked frantically, tryingdesperately to please as the woman pulled her foot back, making himinadvertently crawl after her. Claudette and Sandy laughed, and soon enoughKaren found herself joining in. Before long though, the woman kicked athim, thumping Kirk in the nose and cheek to make him back off."That's enough! Stop it! Jesus! What is he, some sicko freak?" The waitressstared at Kirk as he stopped licking but stayed prostrate, bowing at herfeet. "I- I have to get back to work." The waitress blushed, ripping thecheck from her pad and tossing it to the table before hurrying off. Karenlooked down at her brother still snuffling about the floor like a pig inheat. It was disgusting... exciting!"Make him stop!" Karen snapped, looking up at Claudette, and her friendsimply shrugged."Okay, Karen. Calm down." She turned, smiling at the young man down on thefloor on his hands and knees."Kirk?" Karen saw her brother stiffen at her friend's voice, though hestayed on all fours. "That's enough, boy. Come back to us."Slowly Kirk stood and turned, sliding back into the booth. His face wasfilthy from the dirt of the floor and the shoes he had tongued clean, aswell as beet red from embarrassment, apparently. If he remembered what hehad just done, he said nothing and simply hung his head in shame. Karencould not help but feel excited by what she had just witnessed, but in turnshe also felt a shock of pity for her brother. What had they done to him?"Pay the bill, Kirk," Sandy said as she stood and helped his mother intoher light blazer. Karen watched as Kirk took out his wallet and droppedalmost eighty dollars onto the tabletop. Quite a tip for almost three hoursand a few cups of coffee, not to mention a shoe shine. Karen scooped upthree twenties as she grabbed her purse and left the booth, following herfriends, Kirk following a few steps behind. She planned to return the moneyto her brother later.  Really she did.***The drive home was quiet for the most part, most of the way. Karen glancednervously at her brother from the driver's seat, but he said nothing andsimply kept his head bowed. He seemed tired and embarrassed, and shewondered just how much of what had happened at the restaurant he actuallyremembered.Claudette had assured her that Kirk would be fine as they said their goodbyes in the Denny's parking lot. It had been dark and deserted, a chillybreeze rustling the papers and dust about the blacktop while they allhuddled together and talked. Well, Karen, Claudette and Sandy spoke; Kirkhad simply stood to one side, almost at attention as though awaitingorders. It had bothered Karen to see him that way, but she still felt hotover it as well. The power and control was exciting her, but she had to puta stop to it."I want you to change him back," she had said, and Claudette and Sandysimply chuckled. "It's not right!""He's fine, Karen. Really." Claudette took a slow drag off of anothercigarette and grinned to see Kirk lick his lips. "He's just more helpfulnow. More respectful. How many times have you told me what a brat he was?Now he'll do whatever you say, no questions asked.""But," Karen hesitated, looking at Kirk. He seemed to be almost squirmingas the cigarette smoke drifted past him. He was sweating. "He's not like mybrother now. He's like some robot or something. I don't like it!""Sure you do." Sandy said, stepping up beside Kirk and putting an armaround his shoulders. "I was watching you, Karen. You were lovin' it. Youalmost came when he was lickin' my mom's shoes, and the waitress'. Youwanted him to do yours.""No..." Karen denied it, but she could hear her voice waver. Was Sandyright? Did she really want her brother to be a robot? Her robot?"Look, Karen," Claudette said, "Let it go for awhile. A few days maybe,then see what you want. You'll see that he's still your brother, just minusthe snotty bad habits. He'll show you respect, and do whatever you say. Lethim do some chores or something. You'll both love it. You'll see.""I don't know..." Karen hesitated, but found herself digging through herpurse for her car keys. Apparently it was decided. She supposed a few dayswould not hurt."There won't be any permanent damage will there? You'll be able to changehim back after even a few days?"Claudette chuckled. "I could take him out after a few years, Karen. Justput him back under and remove the suggestions." Claudette raised anexpectant eyebrow, waiting for Karen's response, knowing that there was nodoubt."Okay." Karen sighed in final agreement as she found her keys. "Just for afew days then.""'Til next weekend?" Sandy suggested. "We can get together again and youcan decide. I bet I know what you'll say though."Karen smirked, climbing into her car as Sandy held the door for her. "Idoubt that. But one week then. Then we'll get together." Sandy closed thedoor and Karen rolled down the window as her brother had gotten into thepassenger's side."Go with it Karen," Sandy said with a smile. "You might even enjoy it."Karen started the car."I'll try, but I doubt I'll like it."They had said good bye and now Karen was regretting her decision. Kirklooked so pathetic sitting there quietly, his head bowed. He looked nothinglike a real man now, even less than before. He looked as low as she knewthat he had been told to feel. She had to do something. She had to try andget him back to normal before she got him home. God, what would theirmother think?Their father had died when Kirk was just five years old. Kirk barelyremembered him, and ever since their mother had managed both parentalroles. And done a fairly good job of it, Karen had to admit. Neither of theGibbons kids had turned out badly, though Kirk had yet to get motivated atchoosing a career or college now that he was out of school. He had taken apart-time job at a local Safeway for some summer spending money, but hadbeen laid off just the week before due to slow times. She suspected thatthe eighty dollars he had tossed on the table was all the money he had leftuntil he found something else. Their mother would let him slide of course,so long as he helped out around the house while she was at work. She waspretty easy going that way. She would definitely freak though if Kirksuddenly dropped to his knees and started to kiss her feet.Karen chuckled at the image that popped into her head. There mother Janicewas almost fifty, but still really good looking in a motherly kind ofway. Her hair was grayish brown, but she stayed active and was healthy.Karen slowed the car at a stoplight and turned to her brother. He was stillstaring at the floor at his feet. She cleared her throat –"Kirk?"Her brother turned his head and their eyes met for a split second before hequickly averted his gaze, staring down again."Yes, Ma'am?" he whispered, and Karen sagged. She liked the respectful toneof his voice, but it just was not right somehow. It felt weird."Kirk," she continued, her own voice wavering. She was nervous, andunconsciously digging through her purse for a cigarette. Before she evenrealized what she was doing she had one between her lips and lit. She sawher brother inhaling deeply as the pale blue smoke drifted past him. Maybethat was the key. He would do anything for a smoker, Claudette had toldhim. Maybe he would act normally again if she told him while blowing smokein his face.The blare of a horn from behind jerked her from her train of thought. Thetraffic light had turned green, so Karen rolled the car slowly forward andtowards the curb where she put it in park. After the car behind sped past,she turned to her brother again."Kirk, when I get you home I want you to act normally," she said. She tooka long drag off of her Newport and slowly blew the smoke into her brother'sface. His stupid smile grew, and she knew that he was becoming high, andhopefully more suggestive. "I want you to be like you were beforetonight. I want you to be my normal little brother again.""Yes, Ma'am..." he whispered, his voice slurred.This was going to be harder than she thought...It had taken Karen almost thirty minutes to talk her brother back, but eventhen she was not sure if he was totally reverted. For the longest time hehad kept addressing her as Ma'am, even after she told him not to. It wasonly when she told him that that did not make her happy that it stopped,and it was then that she knew the key.She was not Claudette, and had no idea what she was doing really, but shehad to try. The best bet was simply to imitate what Claudette had done andsaid; speaking slowly down at him, reinforcing her words over and over andkeeping him in his cigarette-smoke high. After awhile he seemed to stoplooking at the floor, and before long he sat a little bit straighter.Finally, when she thought she had it right, Karen lit a last cigarette andblew the smoke at her brother. She bit her lip as he seemed to stiffen fora moment, his eyes glazing over, but then he reached up and knuckled hiseye. He turned to her, scowling."Don't blow smoke in my face!" he snapped. "You know I hate that!"He rubbed at his eyes and Karen had to smile. That was the Kirk sheknew. That was her brother."Sorry..." she apologized and stubbed the cigarette out in the car'sashtray. Kirk rolled down the window all the way as she put the car backinto drive and rolled back into the street. He was breathing deeply, headhigh and ignoring her."Could you close the window, Kirk? It's a little chilly.""In a minute."Karen stifled a giggle.  Her brother was back.Kirk woke with a shudder at the strange sound. He sat bolt upright,instantly regretting it as his head started to spin. He felt tired and weakand wondered just what he had drank the night before. He felt as though hehad a hangover, but he couldn't remember having a single drop of alcohol.In fact, he could not remember much of anything from the night before. Herecalled he and his sister meeting up with her friend Claudette and herstuck up daughter, Sandy at the theater. He remembered the stupid moviethey had seen, and how much he had hated it. It had seemed farfetched andunbelievable at the time. But later at Denny's...It seemed as though Claudette had changed his opinions of hypnosis whilethey had been at the restaurant, though he could not really recall what shehad said to change his mind. The evening after the movie was a blur to himnow, just little snatches of imagery springing forth in his mind. His headwas fuzzy though, and the images were strange and in no realorder. Cigarettes and smells, feet and a lot of smoke...It was odd."Kirk!"He heard his mother's voice as she knocked on his bedroom door again. Thatwas what had woke him up, too early apparently. His head was swimming andhis mouth felt dirty for some reason. He couldn't imagine how his breathmust smell."Kirk... time to get up. It's after ten, son..."Kirk Gibbons heard the knob of the door rattle as his mother pushed it opena crack and peered inside. She was still dressed in her long, pink fleecehousecoat with her shoulder length hair pulled back into a loose tail. Shehad probably been up for an hour or two but had not taken the time to getdressed yet. Kirk could smell coffee though, and something else that hadburned on the stove. He smelled smoke."Breakfast's on the table, so get out of bed and come eat before it getscold.""Yes, Ma'am."Kirk saw his mother blink, and then smile widely. She looked pretty,smiling like that."Ma'am? My goodness..." she chuckled, a slight blush rising in hercheek. "So respectful. What a good boy."Kirk stiffened and stared at his mother for a moment. She was not justpretty, she was beautiful. So much better than him. He was ugly compared toher. Ugly and small. He had to look away, down."Hurry up now!" she said, a happy order, and pulled the door closedagain. Kirk could hear her padding away from his room and quickly climbedout of bed to comply. He felt stiff, and he swayed for just a moment as hishead struggled to clear. He did not want to keep his mother waiting, but hedid not want to look more the fool to her by staggering out into herpresence.He glanced in the mirror and saw his image reflected, frowning. He wasugly, a skinny little boy with barely any shape to his flat, girlishbody. Even his hair, a dirty, dishwater brown was straggly and dull. Henoted that he had a raging hard on however, poking up a tent in his skimpybikini briefs that he normally wore to bed. It was bulging, but he knew howtiny it actually was; barely four inches at most. That was why he wore thetiny shorts, to make it seem bigger. Staring at it now, at his reflectionhe just seemed tiny and insignificant, and he almost seemed to be dwindlingin the mirror. He felt like a bug. A worm...His mother was waiting though, and he had to hurry. He reached for hisclothes piled on his desk chair, but hesitated. His mother had not told himto dress, just to hurry. It seemed wrong to be going out to breakfast inhis underwear, but his mother knew best. She was a woman after all, and hismother! She was better than him...Janice Gibbons was sitting at the kitchen table reading the morning paperby the time she finally heard her son's bedroom door open and close. Shesighed, taking a sip of coffee as she wished that Kirk would not stay outso late at night. It was the weekend she knew, and he was an adult, but shewanted him at home if he was going to be living here indefinitely. Herhouse, thus, her rules.Kirk was a good boy, a good son, but he just always seemed to have a chipon his shoulder. He could not hold a job, and she feared now that he was nolonger even trying to find one. She supposed that he was resentful as hissister had done so much better for herself. Karen had a good job and a bigapartment across town. Her own car too, and money to burn it seemed.She supposed that Kirk was jealous to a point, and probably feelinginadequate as well. There had always been a sort of rivalry between thesiblings, and it seemed- at least for the moment- Karen had finally won.As a result however, Kirk was snappish and snotty at times and almostalways in a foul mood. No job, living at home with Mommy, no car, nogirlfriend, no self esteem...Janice sighed. It would probably make her crazy as well. Maybe she shouldhave Gerald talk to him again when he got home next weekend. It neverseemed to help, but –Janice put on a smile and looked up as her son's shadow fell across thetable. Her smile quickly fell away however, as she felt her mouth go slackand her eyes grow wide. She gasped, trying to speak but the words choked inher throat.Kirk was standing beside the table dressed only in the tiny bikini briefsthat she knew he wore to bed at night. They left little to the imagination,and though she had seen her son naked before, it had been many years.She looked the young man up and down in astonishment. She could not imaginewhat had spurred him to come to the table almost naked. She tried not tolook, but her eyes naturally drifted to her son's crotch. She felt herselfblush as she stared. She knew that her son was not well endowed, but whathe had between his legs was standing at full attention and poking outagainst the soft fabric of his briefs. It was tiny actually, barely fourinches, but in his current state of undress, hard to miss.Janice looked away, trying her best not to stare. She looked at her son'sface, but found him staring at the floor, breathing heavily. His skin wassplotchy red, and he could not seem to meet her gaze. He was just asembarrassed as she was apparently. Why had he done this then?Janice was shaking as she tried to regain her composure. She reached for acigarette and heard the slightest moan from her son as she lit it. He wasstaring intently at the cigarette in her mouth now as she waved her matchout. She exhaled and saw Kirk quiver as he breathed in the smoke. He hatedcigarette smoke..."Kirk..." she finally managed to squeak out after a few long, calmingdrags. Kirk was swaying now she noted, looking almost high as he sniffedthe air deeply. He had a stupid, sheepish grin on his face and his hard onwas still raging."Kirk," she began again, more firmly, "what's going on? Why didn't you getdressed?" He seemed to think for a moment."I'm sorry, Ma'am..." he whispered. His voice seemed sad, almost hurt. "Youdidn't tell me to get dressed. You said to hurry."Janice blinked. That was true, she supposed. But still..."But Kirk," she scolded, "you don't come to the table in yourunderwear. It's not right. I'm your mother for God's sake!"Kirk hung his head with a frown. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."He almost seemed ready to cry. She had not been that harsh, but he wastrembling and his skin was blotching pink. He was ashamed."It's okay, Kirk," she said, trying to keep her voice calm. There wasobviously something wrong. She had to just go with it, and find outwhat. "What's done is done. Just don't do it again. You gave me quite astart.""Yes, Ma'am. I'm sorry."Janice stared at her son again for a moment. He still had not made a moveto sit and eat. It was as though he was waiting for her to give himpermission. She had never heard him sound so apologetic, even when he haddone something really bad. He had broken one of her favorite vases when hewas younger, and it had taken all of his will to say he was sorry then,after denying it for a day or two. She had spanked him and grounded him inthe past, but could not remember him ever being so...So...Wimpish... submissive..."Kirk," she said again, looking squarely at his face. He could not meet hergaze but kept staring at the floor. "Are you feeling all right? Are youhungry? The oatmeal's a little burnt, but it's still good. You need toeat.""Yes, Ma'am.""Well then sit down and eat." Janice smiled, trying to take it all instride. Maybe it was some joke. A lost bet or something that Karen put himup to. She smirked, shaking her head. That had to be it. Well, she couldplay along then."Unless you're planning on eating it off of the floor like a dog." Janicelaughed, "The way you're acting this morning, I wouldn't put it past – "Janice gasped as her son picked up the bowl of oatmeal and dropped to hishands and knees at her feet. Her eyes grew wide as he bent low, putting hisface into the bowl and started licking and snuffling like a famished pig.Or a dog...He was acting just like a dog just as she had suggested. It had been a jokeof course. She had not imagined that he would actually want to eat his foodon his hands and knees at her feet, yet there he was. It wasridiculous... horrible!Yet for some reason Janice could not take her eyes from her son. He waslicking, crawling about and following the bowl as he pushed it about on thefloor trying to get at the food with his tongue. His bikini-clad butt washigh in the air, wagging almost, wiggling about like he had a tail. It wasalmost obscene, but Janice stared transfixed, unable to tear her gaze away.This was more than some joke. Kirk had to be humiliated beyond belief, andshe could see reddish patches all over his skin that betrayed thattruth. Still, he did not stop. Why was he doing this? What had come overhim that would make him act so strangely, and before his very mother?Still Janice watched, fascinated with how hard he was trying to clean thebowl. Almost as though he was trying to please her by eating every bite. Hewas nosing the bowl forward, closer and closer to her feet while shewatched, trying to get at more of it. The bowl suddenly tipped as it bumpedinto the edge of her feet and Kirk gasped as a sloppy glop of the oatmealspilled out onto her feet and toes. He glanced up apologetically, andJanice almost gasped. Was that fear in his eyes?She started to reach for a napkin to wipe her foot clean when her sonshocked her even further. She finally did gasp as, with a whimper of shame,Kirk leaned forward and started to lick her foot clean of the mess that hehad made.His tongue was hot and slick, almost slimy, and Janice's first instinct wasto giggle as it tickled to feel his licking. She held it in though, hermouth twitching from smile to tight-lipped frown as she watched her sonlick her foot, lick her toes. It tickled, and Janice felt it all the way upher leg. She shivered and more. She felt a warmth suddenly between herlegs."Oh god..."Her eyes grew wide as she realized that her son's ministrations weregetting her excited. She felt an old, half-forgotten tingle in her loinsthat had been absent for years. She loved her sometimes, on again off againboyfriend, Gerald of course, but it had been a long time since he had laststimulated her, or even excited her in the slightest way. She thought thatshe was just getting too old, but now she was feeling warm and damp betweenher legs. Her skin was tingling, and it just got worse the more she staredat her groveling son."Oh... god..."It was too much! It was wrong! Her son was getting her hot, and she wasletting him!"No!"Janice kicked him away with her foot, smacking Kirk right in the nose. Heyelped and whimpered- just like a dog- but he did stop at her command,scrabbling back on all fours a few short steps. He stayed on his hands andknees however, and she noticed that he kept his head down to the floor. Hisbody was shaking too, almost as though he was trying to keep from crying.Janice collapsed back into her chair, breathing hard and totallydumbfounded. She had absolutely no idea what was going on or what to doabout it. There was nothing in mothering to prepare her for this. Janicetook deep breaths as she thought, watching her son as he bowed down beforeher. She didn't know what to say.In the end, she reached for a cigarette...It was almost noon before Karen finally pulled her car into the driveway ofher mother's house. She rolled the car to a stop beside her mother's Volvoand gunned the engine a bit before shutting down. It had been rattlingagain, and she feared that it was on its last legs. She glanced enviouslyto the side at her mother's still fairly new car and sighed. It seemed shewould never be so well off.Still, she was glad to see the other car in the driveway. That meant thather mother was at home, and more importantly that Kirk was as well. KarenGibbons thought that she had talked her brother down from the `fun' of theprevious night, but she still had some reservations. She had not beencertain that she had been able to undo what Claudette had mischievouslydone to Kirk, and as a result she had hardly slept at all that night.Karen dropped her keys into her purse and sidled out of the car. Sheimmediately felt the heat of the day and was glad that she had opted forshorts and a tanktop, as there were already droplets of sweat formingbetween her breasts and under her arms. She hoped to be able to sit out inher mother's backyard for awhile today and get a jumpstart on her tan. Shehad a few loads of laundry to do, and it would be the perfect opportunity.Karen folded the driver's seat forward and hefted the first of her threebig bags out of the car's back seat. It was the smallest, but even it washeavy, and she was just so tired. One was enough for now, she would comeback for the other two later. Or she could ask Kirk to get them.Karen smiled, closing the car door and hefting her bag towards the frontdoor. The night before, Kirk would have begged to fetch her bags for her,and probably would have done it on his hands and knees. She sighed. Thatwas wrong of course, but the image of it still made her kind of excited."Mom! It's just me!" Karen called out as she stepped into the entryway. Shewas always happy to come home. She liked being out on her own of course,but her mother's house was always so cheerful it would always be home toher.Karen glanced about the living room, dropping her laundry bag to the flooras she closed the door behind her. As always, the room was spotless andsmelled fresh. The carpet was a plush shag of green underfoot, and thefurniture; the long couch and easy chairs were dark burnt orange and lookedtoo inviting. There were end tables arranged just so and potted plants hereand there making everything warm and alive. Too her right she could see thekitchen table and television, beyond that the door to her old bedroom, nowKirk's. To her left was the hallway to her mom's room and what was now theworkroom since Karen had moved and her brother took her old room. That wayled to the bathroom and the cellar door as well. There was a bar top cutaway into the wall dividing the living room and the kitchen straight ahead,and beyond that Karen could see the backyard with a few trees blooming inthe distance. Karen sighed remembering all the happy times that she had hadgrowing up here. It had not all been fun and games, but the good timescertainly outweighed the bad."Mom?" she called out again, surprised that her mother had not come togreet her yet. The television was on, so she was about somewhere. Maybe outback or...Janice Gibbons came walking down the hall from the bathroom, one handpatting at her hair. She was dressed in white shorts and a dark blue shelltee shirt with leather flat casuals to match. She looked clean and fresh,her hair combed and just a bit of make-up on. She looked up as she enteredthe living room, almost gasping in shock to see Karen standing there."Oh!" she squeaked, and Karen noticed her mother's eyes quickly dart aboutthe room, finally resting on the view to the kitchen. "Karen. I- I didn'thear you come in.""Just got here, Mom." Karen stepped up and gave her mother a short kiss onthe cheek. Karen could feel the tenseness in her mother even from the shortcontact. She wondered briefly what was the matter, but there was a gnawingin her stomach that made her suspect that she already knew. "I thought I'ddo some laundry, if that's okay?"Karen stepped away, looking about the house once more and felt her motherright on her heels."Of course..."Karen turned to find her mother right behind her, but her gaze was fixed onthe opening to the kitchen again. Karen followed her mother's gaze but sawnothing."Mom... Where's Kirk?""He's..."Karen Gibbons heard the hesitation in her mother's voice and saw the olderwoman lick her lips. She was nervous... worried."Oh, god..."Karen turned on her heel and dashed across the carpet towards thekitchen. The sound of her Dr. Scholl's slapping on the soles of her feetseemed to echo the hammering of her heartbeat and the rush of blood andadrenaline in her ears. She heard her mother right behind her."Karen! Wait!"Karen rounded the corner and froze. She felt the blood drain from her faceand her head started to spin. She was gasping for breath suddenly, andreally thought that she might faint.Kirk was in the kitchen, just as she thought he would be. He was not,however, in any condition that she might have expected. He was almost nakedsave for a skimpy, satiny pair of bikini briefs that left little to theimagination. His skin was pale and smooth, almost hairless, and from theback with his long hair he could have been mistaken for a girl. He was onhis hands and knees, his tight ass waving in the air as he scrubbed at thetiles on the kitchen floor. Karen saw that he was using a toothbrush."Oh... my... god... "Karen stared in shock, watching as her brother toiled away, scrubbing hardat some imaginary dirt or grime on the floor. He looked pathetic, naked onhis hands and knees, little more than a drudge! A slave!Karen sensed her mother right behind her, her breathing heavy in thesuddenly eerie silence. The only other sound was the low murmur of thetelevision and the scrape of the toothbrush on the tiled floor. She roundedon her mother, and saw the older woman staring at Kirk, her face a sad mixof worry and astonishment."Mom!" Karen shouted, trying to control herself. "How could you?" Hermother's face was ashen and she actually moved back a step at Karen'soutburst. She looked more shocked that her daughter had yelled at her thanthat she had her son on his knees scrubbing floors."Karen..." she said in a shaky but soothing tone, "Calm down. It's not whatyou think.""Not what I think? Well, what is it then?" Karen turned back to her brotherand saw that he seemed to be scrubbing all the harder. She blinked,surprised that he had not even stopped to see what all the shouting wasabout."I- I don't know, really," her mother continued laying a hand on Karen'sarm to pull her away, "but he wanted to."He wanted too...Karen felt the words sink in even as she felt her mother's gentle tug onher arm leading her away. She backed up and eventually followed, feelingtears welling up. What had they done?They sat together on the couch, side by side. Her mother had not let go ofKaren, and was in fact now grasping her hands. Janice Gibbons still lookeda bit shocked, but she was trying to smile and hold up a good front. Karensniffed."What happened?" Karen did not want to spill everything immediately. Shecould not imagine how angry her mother might get if she told how Claudettehad hypnotized her brother, and how Karen had actually encouraged it. Shenever imagined though that it would get so far out of control."I honestly don't know," her mother started, reaching for acigarette. Karen gasped; remembering that the smoke was a trigger but saidnothing as her mother lit up."I woke him up for breakfast, same as always, and like every other morningit took him awhile to get going. I was already at the table when he cameinto the kitchen, but when I looked up he was, well, dressed like that. Iwas shocked to say the least, and I asked him what he was doing and he justsaid that I hadn't told him to get dressed. I scolded him then, but he juststood there and took it- no back talk or apologies at all. If anything helooked hurt that he'd made me upset. I thought he was going to cry."Janice snorted, half-smiling as she took a long drag from hercigarette. Karen stared at her mother, at first not believing that she wasso calm about it all, until she recalled her own reaction from the nightbefore. She chewed her lower lip, finally reaching for her mother's pack ofcigarettes herself."I finally decided what's done is done. Hell, I've seen him naked before. Itold him to sit and eat, but he just stood there. I joked then, saidsomething about him eating his breakfast from a bowl on the floor like adog."He dropped right down and did just that. I couldn't believe it at first,and just sat there watching him. He was groveling, licking at the bowl andchasing it around at my feet when he tipped it over. He slopped oatmeal onmy foot, and without missing a beat he started to lick it up."Karen's heart was racing as she took a long drag from her cigarette. Hermother looked calm now, her eyes almost sparkling. Karen remembered Kirklicking the French fry off of Claudette's shoe, and then the waitress –"I had to get away. It was too much, so I shoved him back and ran for thebathroom. It was horrible, and I have to admit thrilling. God, it excitedme to feel his tongue on my foot and my toes. I- ""Mom!" Karen stared at her mother and saw her blush. She grinned however,and Karen felt the now familiar tingle between her legs. "Mom, he's yourson!""I know..." Janice Gibbons. "I know, but Jesus, I'm still a woman. Certainthings excite me, and that always has." Karen nodded, smiling slightly inunderstanding. That was something she never knew about her mother."I didn't know what else to do, so I got dressed. I needed the normalcy Isuppose. I'd been in the bathroom almost twenty minutes by then and anotherten after I ran into the bedroom. I didn't know what to expect. I thoughthe'd gone crazy! Finally though I crept back out and made my way back tothe kitchen."He was still there, just as I'd left him, on his knees under the kitchentable. I just stared at him for a few minutes, hoping he'd do something,but he barely moved. He just sort of whimpered. When I finally got thecourage to ask him what was going on he just startedapologizing. Apologizing for getting up late, for spilling his food, forbeing bad in general, on and on... I didn't know what else to do so Iforgave him. He sort of whimpered again and crawled over to my feet,thanking me over and over while sniffing and kissing my feet in my flats."I yelled at him then, told him to stop and we went