Ben sat there trying not to stare. His dad was up on stage partially hypnotized into stripping naked. Ben had mixed feelings. He was partly embarrassed for his dad and his family. He was also partly happy to see his dad humiliated in front of everyone.
John, Ben's dad, was one of those perfectionistic dads that expected Ben to always be the best. Although Ben did make the little league team and did get mostly good grades, it was never good enough for his dad. Even on the way to the carnival, it was his dad who caused them to be late by insisting that Ben comb his hair just right and wear nice clothes. Ben didn't see why he had to wear nice clothes to a carnival. It would be hard to play and have fun when his dad expected him to stay clean and neat. Then his dad blamed Ben for making them late.
The hypnotist spoke to Ben's mom, "Ma'am is your husband always this rude?"
Ben's mom didn't say anything. She just squirmed in her seat and hid her face.
John mouthed off some more including using some words that are too vulgar for even me to repeat. The hypnotist said, "That's enough out of you. You won't speak without permission."
Then the hypnotist asked Ben, "So young man, you have a very arrogant father who doesn't know how to behave. Are you going to grow up to be just like him?"
Ben didn't want to answer but he feared what the hypnotist might do so he said, "No sir."
The hypnotist said, "You're dressed too formally for a nine year old. Don't you want to play?"
Ben said, "Yes sir. Daddy made me dress this way."
The hypnotist turned to John and said, "Is that so? You need to lighten up mister. You need to let your son have some fun." Then the hypnotist turned back to Ben, "Does he even let you have a pet?"
Ben said, "No sir."
The hypnotist said, "Well he will now. What name would you give your pet?"
Ben said, "Rex."
The hypnotist turned to John and said, "When your son says Rex, you will strip off your clothes, put on a dog collar and act like his dog. I will let you keep your human mind so you can feel ashamed of yourself but you won't be able to act like a human until your son calls you dad.
The hypnotist told Ben, "Say Rex."
Ben said, "Rex" and his dad immediately dropped to all fours with his tongue hanging out. He bounded over to Ben and started licking his son.
The hypnotist walked over to John and started scratching his head, "Now Rex, speak like a human."
John said, "You fucking creep. Ben, when we get home, I'm getting my belt."
The hypnotist said, "Oh no you won't. You'll be more careful about how you treat your son because anytime he doesn't like what you're doing, he can make you act like a dog. Now shall we take you to the magician so you can look more like a dog as well?"