Hookers. Suits. Conspiracy. Deception. Voyeurism. Booze. Mind-altering substances. All of these elements make up the tantalizing cocktail that is director Zach Jordan and writer Ramesh Thadani’s clever, new original web series, Operation Midnight Climax.

Although the title sounds like “James Bond meets porn,” it’s actually the name of a real CIA mind-control program from the 1950s. In this top-secret project, CIA safehouses were converted into brothels which, in turn, became laboratories of sorts. While ladies of the evening on the CIA payroll laced their Johns’ drinks with LSD, CIA agents observed these unwitting human guinea pigs over revolutionary surveillance cameras to study the effects of hallucinogenic drugs. Jordan and Thadani were so fascinated by this unconventional operation that they based their web series around it.

Each webisode opens in the grainy style of a classic government propaganda film, while it provides a brief recap of the mission behind Operation Midnight Climax. From there, the story unfolds to offer viewers an alluring glimpse into what might have taken place on any of these long, strange nights.

In the first episode, we meet Reed (Todd Cahoon), the CIA agent with a scandalous past who gets a second chance through his participation in MKULTRA — the official name of Operation Midnight Climax. He seems to have a friendly relationship with the tough-as-nails brothel boss-lady, Millie (Meredith Salenger), and solicits her help in seducing and drugging her lustful clientele. She and her ladies consider the proposition. Slow business coupled with the lure of guaranteed cash make the decision unanimous. And so the operation begins.

The second episode highlights one particular eve where Italian wise guy Victor (Juan “Rambo” Reynoso — also the series producer) gets dosed. Shortly thereafter, he is thrust into an altered state of delusion. The brothel living room is suddenly filled with the living dead, and they’re hungry for his flesh. Paranoia sets in and Victor flips out. Scheming sex kitten June (Stephanie Lemelin) tries to calm him, but he pulls an Ike Turner on her. As the segment ends, CIA agent Reed decides to find out firsthand what it’s like to “feed his head.”

With each webisode, Jordan and Thadani turn you on to Climax’s infinite possibilities. Once your curiosity is aroused, you definitely want more…but it’s not only viewers who are getting stimulated. The iTVfest (Independent Television Festival) was so fired up that they made it one of their Official Selections.

To truly become absorbed into this web series, you must experience your own Climax. Watch it at the iTVfest (Los Angeles Indie TV fest) at Laemmie’s Sunset on July 31st-August 6th in Hollywood, California. Or you can view episodes of Operation Midnight Climax here.