Chapter 1: Root Cause Analysis

“I’m going to set you up with a mentor.”

Bodie was disappointed. He was feeling strangely refreshed and alert at the end of his session with Dr. Samenschlag, although he noticed his knees were a little sore and there was a strange taste in his mouth. But this news was not what he had wanted to hear. He had hoped the doctor would clear him to be considered for a senior management position at work, but after exhaustive questioning and a session of hypnosis, the doctor had flatly declared that he wasn’t ready for that much responsibility.

While the doctor got on the phone to make arrangements, Bodie brooded a bit. He knew he was young for the role, but he was very ambitious, having a deep-seated need to prove himself. The Bramlette family, both his parents, were over-achievers who had commanded not only high salaries, but also large ranks of employees. An only child, Bodie had always been too self-willed to work for the grades his parents expected of him in high school and in college, so now he was anxious to earn their respect with rapid career advancement.

“Hi, John. Sammy here. I have a client, Bodie Bramlette, who is in need of mentoring. Can we set up an appointment?” Samenschlag glanced at Bodie as he listened to the voice on the other end of the phone.

Bodie, for all his post-hypnotic euphoria, was still a little intimidated by the therapist. He recalled how his first impression had brought out all his insecurities and his instinctive defensiveness. He had wanted so badly to be authoritative. He had tried hard to exude manly confidence as would befit the seeker of a senior management position, but he had clearly failed.

“Sure, three o’clock tomorrow should work,” Sammenschlag responded into the receiver. He raised an eyebrow inquisitively toward Bodie, who nodded. “All right. I’ll send over the paperwork this afternoon. Thank you, John.” He wrote the date and time on the back of a business card and passed it across the desk to Bodie. Bodie flipped it over and read, “John Thomas Sterling III, Executive Consultant,” with an address nearby.

“Um, thanks,” said Bodie, trying to sound grateful.

“You’re welcome, Bodie.” The doctor smiled his professional smile. “I think you and John will get along famously.” He rose and ushered Bodie to the door. “Don’t worry about preparing for your meeting tomorrow. John and I have worked together on dozens of cases; he’ll have read your materials and will know exactly how to help you.”

It never occurred to Bodie as he headed into work the next morning that his eager anticipation of meeting John Sterling might have been suggested by Dr. Samenschlag under hypnosis. As was typical for him, he spent most of the workday figuring angles to get credit for successful initiatives he was only tangentially involved with and, since it was Friday, padding his weekly report. When the time came to leave for his appointment, he went with soaring spirits.

But, when confronted by his new mentor, Bodie immediately collapsed into a bundle of insecurities. John Sterling was a god among men. Exceedingly handsome, with a full head of silver hair and the physique and bearing of an athlete in championship form, he also gave the impression of acute intelligence and keen judgement. Bodie’s bluster almost left him then. And after only two minutes of conversation, Bodie realized that Sterling could see right through him.

“What I’m going to teach you, son,” John continued, “is the concept of servant leadership. You have absolutely no idea what it means to lead, do you?” he asked, not unkindly, but in a way that struck Bodie as brutally frank. And, even as he felt the sting of it, Bodie sensed a deeply caring, almost loving concern. He was grateful for that and felt a welling of affection for the older man that gradually bordered on adoration. This reaction was all the more stunning for the fact that it was infused with a strong sexual element completely alien to Bodie, who had never harbored homosexual feelings at all. Nevertheless, these feelings seemed completely natural as they swept over him, swelling his throbbing dick, being the product of Dr. Samenschlag’s hypnotic programming.

Sterling had just used two of the trigger-words the doctor had implanted in Bodie’s mind, “son” and “servant.” The verb “To Serve” and its derivatives along with the words “Son,” Boy,” “Alpha,” and “Beta” were post-hypnotic signals that the doctor had designed to elicit feelings of submissiveness, sexual arousal, and the desire to please the speaker.

Sterling could see that Bodie was reacting as expected. He continued, “You see, don’t you, Boy, that you are not yet suited for a leadership role.” He smiled gently. “You lack the Alpha male qualities altogether, and you have no understanding of your own Beta personality.”

Bodie’s cock was fully erect now and he could no longer deny that he was having strong sexual feelings toward this captivating man. But, novel as feelings like this for a man might be, they didn’t even register as a bit odd to him, such was the skill of Sigmund Samenschlag.

“Beta personality?” Bodie asked, blushing and looking shyly into John’s eyes, “I don’t understand.”

Sterling smiled reassuringly. “It’s not that complicated, Son.” Bodie was already becoming quite malleable, John thought as he continued, “An Alpha male is a natural leader. In wild animals, it’s the Alpha male who protects the group and mates with the females. In humans, Alphas are the men people naturally turn to for decisions and direction. Betas are followers, usually in supportive roles to their Alpha leaders. Their natural role is to Serve. Betas are often highly valued for their Service in organizing and carrying out the Alpha’s directives.” He smiled at Bodie inquisitively. “Does that make sense?”

“Y-yes...” Bodie sounded a little bit strained; Sterling’s repeated use of all the trigger words was taking a toll on his ability to organize his thoughts. Feelings of desire, and a growing need to earn Mr. Sterling’s affection, were churning his mind, tangled up with images, images of submissiveness, distinctly sexual images. Visions of himself in a homoerotic posture. These feelings, pre-ordained by the doctor’s programming, along with vivid dream-like images of himself sucking cock (a suppressed memory) tumbled chaotically through his mind, and robbed him of reason.

“Don’t get me wrong,” Sterling continued, “a Beta Boy like you can certainly become an effective leader, Bodie, but it doesn’t come naturally. This is where the concept of Service, of Servant leadership, comes in.” Bodie was just barely able to follow John’s discourse, if only because the recurring triggers kept his attention.