001 | video

[mcgill]

[The man seated uneasily in front of the camera probably looks familiar to anyone who knew or knew of Saul Goodman, ex-defense attorney and daytime TV judge extraordinaire. He has the same face, mostly, save for the abundance of hair on his head (which is sticking up just slightly, like he's been exposed to a stiff breeze or, in his case, static electricity) and fewer wrinkles around his eyes than anyone who got close enough to him might remember. And his smile, just like Saul's, is playfully crooked — though it's laced with a nervousness that doesn't really fit the image Saul projected whenever he had an audience. This man isn't as confident as his older lookalike, that much is clear, nor is he as brightly dressed. (A white dress shirt and a bland, striped tie are all that's currently visible.)

But he has that same ol' sparkle in his eye, and he straightens up a bit as soon as he's ready to speak, which is a habit anyone would recognize: that sudden shift from casual to professional Saul made any time he approached the bench or a business meeting.

And as for his voice — that's the same, too.

This is almost definitely Saul Goodman, but:]

Hiya. The name's Jimmy McGill. James, technically, but — I prefer Jimmy.

[He lifts his hands into view. Saul's trademark (fake) Rolex and gold pinky ring are missing, but that's because they're obscured by a pair of heavy-duty electrical gloves.]

I've got a little problem on my hands, pun only halfheartedly intended. [A laugh, one quick huff of air. Saul's laugh: Heh.] Seems the powers that be decided I should have the ability to manipulate power itself. Electricity, I mean. More specifically — [A brief pause, a swallow. He tries to play it off; there's no reason this word should bother him.] Electromagnetism. So, since I have no idea how to control an honest-to-God superpower because they're not really real where I come from, this is... uh, it's an issue. Anyone got any tips? Tricks? Ways to wake up, maybe?

[He smiles again, this time thin-lipped and a little desperate. It looks like he's on the verge of panic.]

Please?

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[ video - locked - about a day later ]

[hostage]

[Jimmy McGill. Jesse knows the name, and it's not so hard to put everything together: This is the person Saul told him about, the person he used to be. The poor schmuck.]

...Jimmy. Hey.

[mcgill]

Hey.

[Jimmy squints at his screen, searching for a name.]

Jesse, is it?

[hostage]

Yeah, sorry. I know you don't remember me, so this is gonna be pretty weird.

[mcgill]

[Oh. This again. He runs a hand over his face and laughs tiredly. This isn't funny — it's freaky and it's troubling — but what else is he supposed to do? Anxiety himself into oblivion?]

This whole thing has been pretty weird so far, so I wouldn't worry about adding to the ever-growing pile.

[hostage]

Yeah...

The thing is, I'm from your world. From Albuquerque.

I'm a client of yours. Or... More like, I will be. Someday.

[mcgill]

[Jesse's gonna have to run that by him again.]

Someday... when?

[hostage]

2010.

[mcgill]

That's eight years from now. [He pauses, blinks. It's 2015 now, isn't it?

Jesse must know what he means.]

Weird question: What — uh. What name am I using in 2010?

[hostage]

[Jesse grimaces. It's not a weird question. Just a tough one.]

Why don't we talk about this someplace else? Where you at right now?

[mcgill]

[Jesse's not-answer is still an answer.]

Yeah, sure. I'm in Heropa, residence #016. I'll come to you if that's easier.

[hostage]

[Of all the fucking apartments... Jesse sighs. Not irritated. Just despondent.]

It's fine. I'll be there in a few minutes.

[mcgill]

[Jimmy tilts his head, curious, but he'll let that one go if Jesse's about to head over.]

Okay. Just knock when you get here.

[He'll be waiting in the living room.]

[hostage]

[It takes Jesse a little while to prepare, so it's about fifteen minutes later when he knocks at the door, a duffel bag slung over one shoulder. Fuck him, but this is gonna be a rough day out of a rough week.]

[mcgill]

[Jimmy spends those fifteen minutes pacing around the living room, fidgeting and going over and over all the things Jesse might say to him and what he might say in reply. He already knows what the answer to his earlier question is — now he's just trying to figure out what that means for him and his future.

His energy's at its peak by the time Jesse arrives, so he practically flings the door open in greeting.]

Hi.

[hostage]

[Chill, Jimmy-Saul. Jesse's still drowsy and all that nervous energy is mildly alarming. He stands there for a second, taking in the sight of Jimmy now that they're face-to-face. Eight years, huh? They've been rough ones. Jimmy looks so much younger than Saul.]

Yo.

[Jesse glances past Jimmy into the apartment. He doesn't see anyone else around, but better safe than sorry.]

Skye's not home, is she?

[mcgill]

[And Jimmy gives Jesse a quick once-over. So if this is a future client of his, he's a criminal?

He can see it.

No offense.]

No, it's just me and Armin here.

[hostage]

[Jesse nods. Good. He's inviting himself inside, then.]

We got a lot to talk about.

[mcgill]

Kinda figured.

[He steps aside, gesturing for Jesse to take a seat wherever. Once he does, Jimmy will sit opposite his guest, lean forward, clasp his (gloved) hands together to keep himself from fidgeting, and rest his elbows on his legs.

But in trying to look relaxed, he's really just going to look like a taut rubber band.]

[hostage]

[He settles for the nearest chair and drops the duffel bag at his feet. They'll get to that in a little bit. First...]

Saul Goodman.

[mcgill]

[He also kinda figured that. Jimmy swallows, diverting his gaze for just long enough to count to five and keep himself centered. It's okay. This is okay. It doesn't necessarily mean anything.]

I had a feeling you'd say that.

[hostage]

Everybody else has been calling you that, huh? I might be the only one around here who ever knew your real name. You told me never to tell anybody.

[mcgill]

Not everybody, but I think I confused a lotta people.

[And they confused him, too.]

[hostage]

Yeah.

You're famous. Here and back home. Here, you were on TV. Back home, you're the best criminal lawyer in Albuquerque. So congrats on that.

[mcgill]

[Jimmy suddenly has no idea what to do with his face. Laugh, because that sounds crazy? Frown because this kid is maybe pulling his leg? Smile because he might not be?

????//]

Seriously?

[hostage]

[Does he look like he's joking??? He's depressed as hell right now.]

Seriously.