Autumn's Inception

six.

Chapter Six

"The key to inception is knowing how your subject thinks."

"I get what your saying Dr. Keen, but I've never met Eli in my life. How will I know his thought process?"

Apparently, along with accepting this job came with weeks of training with Dr. Keen.

He chuckled a bit "Autumn, its simple, study him."

"How? I know facts about him, I read the manila folder you gave me, but that doesn't mean I know how he thinks."

"No, I don't mean that kind of studying. To put it lightly, I want you to observe him."

"You mean, follow him?"

"Yes and no. I want you to be in his presence without him knowing and watch him. Does he stare off into space? Pause before he speaks? Tap on the table?"

"And how will that help?"

"It will give you a better grasp on him, enter his life without him really knowing."

"Okay, but how will I know where he is?"

"His mother will inform us, but you have to make sure he doesn't see you before he's supposed to."

"And if he does?"

"We'll have to compromise, but that's not our goal. Get in and go unseen."

"Okay."

He smiled and picked up his clipboard.

"Dr. Keen?"

He looked up and gestured for me to continue.

"What are the steps to fully achieve inception?"

"Well, it depends on the person but the set process is simple really. Study them, engage with them, drop little hints leading to the big idea, so that when the big idea is revealed they think it was theirs to begin with. Then make sure they go through with it, assure them that it's the right decision. Then stay for the end plan."

"The end plan?"

"See the outcome. If its successful or a failure and once you do that, it's time for the goodbye phase."

"The Goodbye Phase?"

"Yes. You must leave his life before he finds out and it jeopardizes his future."

"Does there have to be a goodbye phase?"

He sighed and nodded his head "I'm afraid so."

He went back to his clipboard as I sat there in awe.

It was more clear then ever that Eli was a subject and that was that. No attachment or real friendship should occur.

That was the Inception Plan.