Apologize
Claude sat in the darkness of his living-room, restless eyes bathed by the colorful radiation of his old laptop, the sole remnant of an otherwise empty chat room with no stories to tell. It was way past his bedtime, just like the day before and the day before that, heart clinging to the hope she would appear.
The clock struck three, and he yawned, a sigh whispered to the dusty furniture. “Another day gone to waste. Time to hit the sack, I guess.”
As he slid the mouse to close the browser window, the familiar sound of a virtual door opening echoed in his ears and there she was, the hypnotic angel of his wildest fantasies. Though she couldn’t see him, he instinctively combed his hair with his hands, straightened the denim shirt and sat upright in the sofa. She was the first to type:
Empress_Katarina: Hello. What are you doing here all alone?
Lonely-Claude: Hello, Empress. So glad to see you. I was waiting for you, actually.
Empress_Katarina: You were? How come?
Lonely-Claude: It was something you said last time we talked. You don’t remember?
Empress_Katarina: Can’t say I do, sorry. Please enlighten me.
Lonely-Claude: You said you would hypnotize me if I showed up in chat for three days straight at the same hour. Today is the third day.
Empress_Katarina: I did? That doesn’t sound like me at all. My time is precious, and I don’t hypnotize just about every person I meet online no matter how nice they seem otherwise I would go insane. I think you’re mistaken.
Lonely-Claude: No, I clearly remember…
Empress_Katarina: Are you calling me a liar, Claude?
Lonely-Claude: No, I didn’t say that at all.
Empress_Katarina: It sure felt like and I hate being called a liar. Apologize. Now!
Lonely-Claude: I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…
Empress_Katarina: Going around telling people I hypnotized you when I never did is also a horrible thing to say. You should apologize for that, too.
Lonely-Claude: What? But I didn’t…
Empress-Katarina: Back to calling me a liar again? You clearly don’t learn and now I’m getting bored. I should have never come here. Goodbye.
Lonely-Claude: Please don’t go.
Empress-Katarina: Why should I stay if you treat me as poorly as you do? Do you think that’s fair? No, it’s shitty of you and I don’t like shitty men.
Lonely-Claude: But… God, I’m getting confused.
Empress-Katarina: Confused about what? You called me a liar. Twice. You told everyone you knew I would hypnotize you if you came into the chat for three days in a row when I said no such thing. I’m the one who’s confused about your appalling behavior. You fooled me, Claude. I won’t let it happen again.
Lonely-Claude: I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do to make things right again?
Empress-Katarina: You tell me, you’re the one that fucked up, not me.
Lonely-Claude: You’re right, I did.
Empress-Katarina: At least you admit it. Okay, you’re in luck because I had a change of heart and decided to be benevolent with you this time around.
Lonely-Claude: Thank you.
Empress-Katarina: Don’t thank me yet. I have rules you must abide to.
Lonely-Claude: Okay.
Empress-Katarina: Rule Number 1… never call me a liar again.
Lonely-Claude: I won’t.
Empress-Katarina: Rule Number 2… which is also a statement. Everything I say is true. Don’t question me.
Lonely-Claude: Okay.
Empress-Katarina: Not good enough. Repeat what I wrote.
Lonely-Claude: Everything you say is true. I won’t question you.
Empress-Katarina: Good. And finally, Rule Number 3: You are to come to this chat room every single day at this hour for the next two weeks. If you behave, maybe… maybe I’ll consider hypnotizing you, understood?
Lonely-Claude: Yes, Empress.
Empress-Katarina: In that case, thank me for showing you leniency for your wrongdoings.
Lonely-Claude: Thank you so much, Empress. You’re too kind.
Empress-Katarina: I know. Oh, one last thing. I want you to stay in here for at least half an hour after I leave pondering on what you did wrong. I’ll check the logs later so don’t you dare disobey me.
Lonely-Claude: I shall do as you say. Empress. Thank you once again.
Empress-Katarina: You’re welcome. Bye for now.
The Empress logged out only to log in again, this time invisible to everyone. As expected, he remained online, counting his blessings amidst the confusing thoughts she had placed in his head. His brainwashing into total submission had begun and, as obedient as he already was, it would be fun all the way through.
