A/N
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Phineas and Ferb,. All rights go to their respective owners. Also, this was a request by mrdbznarutofan, so credit goes to him for the main plot.
"Hey, Phineas," Isabella walked up to the redheaded boy, sitting underneath the tree in the backyard alone. "What'cha doin?"
"Ferb's not feeling so great today, so I'm thinking of something to do while I wait for him to get better."
"I saw this poster for a hypnotist show in town today. Maybe you'd like to go?"
Phineas held the poster, studying it for a moment, then smiled. "Ferb, I...oh yeah...Isabella, I know what we're going to do, today!"
After splitting the price for each of them to have tickets, Phineas and Isabella were lucky enough to get seats in the front row.
"Welcome one and all to the show of the one and only, Great Hypnodini!" A tall, thin, tan man with a top hat, matching suit, and elegant mustache appeared from a puff of smoke.
The audience 'oohed' and cheered at his entrance.
"Wow, I wonder what kind of trap door or special effects they used to pull that off," Phineas thought aloud.
"Now then, in order for my magic to work, I'll need a volunteer."
Several people in the audience, mostly children, teenagers, and young adults, were already calling out for him to pick one of them.
"Hmm...let's see."
His eyes resting on Isabella, he extended his long arm forward.
"How about YOU, young lady?"
"Huh? Me?"
"Come on, Isabella!" Phineas urged. "It'll be fun!"
"Well...I guess this is a chance for me to get my 'Hypnosis Subject' badge."
"That's the spirit!" Walking up to the stage, Isabella had one arm folded across her stomach shyly.
"What's your name?" Hypnodini asked her.
"I'm Isabella," she smiled, feeling slightly less self-conscious.
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Hypnodini."
"Likewise! Tell me, have you ever been hypnotized before?"
"No, this is my first time." After a small pause she added. "I'm a little excited...and nervous."
"What do you know about hypnosis?" he asked.
"Hmmm." Isabella gave it some thought. "First you move something like a locket in front of their eyes and make them sleepy and relaxed. Then you tell them what to do while they're asleep, and when you snap your fingers, they wake up and they're different."
"Well, that's one way to do it. My way's a little different: it's called 'rapid induction' hypnosis."
"'Rapid induction hypnosis'?" Isabella parroted.
"That's right! Now, all I need you to do is to be willing for me to alter your state. In a moment when your state shifts, just for your safety, I'd like you to be aware that you'll stay standing up, no matter how much you relax. I'll even help you hold your balance. That's okay, right?"
"Yep, I think so."
"Great! We'll be doing comedic suggestions. Any other questions?" he asked.
"...If I don't want to do something, I can just say so, right?"
"Absolutely! But I'd probably have to wake you up first." He turned to the audience. "Now, remember, folks, if you don't wake someone up from hypnosis properly, they may be disoriented, uncomfortable, and in some cases, even get headaches afterwards."
"Oooh…" the audience responded in unison.
Taking Isabella's hand, Hypnodini gently shook it up and down, like a little bit more than a handshake.
"Is that okay? Comfortable enough for you?"
"Mm-hm." Not only was Isabella's arm looser, her general body stance became more visibly relaxed.
"Take a deep breath; in through your nose, out through your mouth."
She did as he instructed.
"Now that you're all loosened up, I'd like you to just focus on me..." they took a moment to lock eyes. "...take another deep breath..." she did, "...and-" suddenly, as if in one movement, he pulled her forward, her face towards the ground, her head resting on his free arm, and his hand resting on her shoulder to keep her from falling over. "-sleep, Isabella." It was so quick and so natural, it was as if they moved as one in that moment.
It was soon met with cheering of awe from its spectators. Isabella barely noticed, she was too busy being stuck in her trance. "Just let yourself go; just let yourself relax into the ground at that point, for that spot." She became even more relaxed as she followed his instructions. "There we go, just loosening, just feeling easier, just letting go." Looking at the audience, he added: "and now we get to the fun part!"
"Oooh…" the audience responded, accompanied by some light applause.
"What would we like to see our friend, Isabella, do, hm? Any suggestions?"
Again several hands went up into the air, Phineas' included.
"Alright, how about you, in the front row wearing the striped shirt?"
Phineas was sure that meant him. "When she wakes up, her feet'll be glued to the floor!" he suggested.
"Good choice!" Hypnodini commended him. HIs voice a bit softer and calmer, he continued, "when you wake up, you'll find that your feet are glued to the floor. "You'll be very confused by this and try to move, but it won't work and that will get frustrating. Until I say, 'release' - and then you'll be able to walk again. "I'm going to count to five. With each number, you will become more awake and alert. Five...four...three...two...one."
Slowly standing up straight, Isabella's blue eyes opened, looking around. "Alright, now how about you try taking a step towards me?" Hypnodini suggested.
Isabella tried to pick up her foot and move towards him, but it just seemed...stuck. "What the-?"
Her reaction, in addition to continuing to try, but failing to move her feet, envoked laughter from the audience. Grunting in frustration, she bent and unbent her knees, as if trying to jump away, but still she found she was stuck.
"What do you say, folks?" Hypnodini turned towards the audience as he spoke. "Think we've messed with her enough?"
His question was met with cheering and applause.
"I'll take that as a 'yes'." Then he looked over at the wiggling, squirming Isabella. "Release!"
"WOAH!" Isabella fell on her stomach at the command.
As the magician helped her up, Isabella found that once again, she was able to move her feet, much to the audience's amazement. "Do more! Do more!" A little boy from the back of the audience called out.
"Whattaya say, Isabella, do you feel up for it?" Hypnodini raised an eyebrow playfully.
Her eyes looking over an encouraging audience, her eyes finally rested on Phineas, giving her a thumbs up. "Sure, I'd be happy to; this is kind of fun!"
Throughout different rounds of hypnosis, Hypnodini made Isabella believe she was invisible, seeing everyone in their underwear, and becoming a tree, he was ready to finish off the show with one last act.
"Sleep." Now it seemed all too natural for Isabella to fall into his arms, awaiting his command. "Here, we're going to do something a bit different: a post-hypnotic suggestion!"
"Oooh…" came the spectators' response.
"When you wake up, whenever someone pokes you in the forehead, you'll go back into a trance. This will last for the rest of the day. When I finish counting to 'five' you'll wake up again. One...two...three...four...five."
Slowly standing up straight again, Isabella hadn't remembered what the new instructions were, so she looked around, as if trying to find an answer. Her thoughts were interrupted by one last round of applause for the two performers, making her both smile and bow along with him.