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?

Comments

video

[hsalf]

[His eyes widen a little at the sight of the gloves and then the electromagnetism is mentioned. He turns on his side of the feed and adjusts his glasses.]

Hello, Mr. McGill — Jimmy. [He says with a brief motion of his hands, hoping to wave his indifference to formalities.] My name is Dr. Harrison Wells and I work with this...sort of thing, you can say, back in my world.

[He doesn't really want to divulge all the details for privacy's sake, but he hopes the general idea is conveyed.]

Your electromagnetism, is it limited to just electricity or also manipulating objects that emit any sort of electromagnetic waves, along with...well magnetism in general, such as attracting metal objects to you? I want to know to help isolate the problem areas.

[mcgill]

[Jimmy perks up as soon as Harrison says he has experience with "this sort of thing," a hopeful little smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Maybe this man can offer him some more specific guidance.]

Hi, Dr. Wells. I haven't really tested it yet; I've only seen the effects it has on electrical fields so far, and it wasn't... uh, I wouldn't say it was "manipulation," 'cause I didn't do it on purpose. I can check and see about the metal, though, since I'm pretty sure that's gonna be part of this deal eventually. I can't do much right now — my powers are pretty weak, as far as superpowers go.

[hsalf]

[He listens quietly, nodding in acknowledgement when Jimmy mentions he hasn't purposefully used his power, and puts a hand to his chin as the explanation winds down.]

Your powers may not be weak necessarily, only undeveloped. From what I've seen before, sometimes these powers take time to mature and grow. No different than how one learns to walk before they run — if you practice your control will improve as well. [He throws that in since it seems obvious how much this unsettles Jimmy, but that's a natural reaction.] Jimmy, I know you're unnerved about this, but I hope I can assure you that you are not alone here.

[mcgill]

[And Jimmy actually listens to this guy, really listens, because he finally feels like he's talking to someone who gets it. The fact that he's not fidgeting or even moving by the time Harrison finishes says a lot — mostly, that this was helpful.

He nods.]

Thanks. That all makes sense, I just — [Jimmy takes a quick breath, laughing quietly.] This power, it's ironic. But that's a story for another day. What'd you do back home, that this isn't totally nuts to you?

[hsalf]

[An ironic power. Seems some things don't quite change between worlds. He crosses his arms and lets out a breath.]

I worked as a physicist, and director of my own research lab. One of the largest in America in its prime. [He pauses and clenches his jaw for a moment.] An accident caused by one of my machines — it created a genetic mutation in an untold number of people, gifting them with these extraordinary powers.

So if I seem something of an expert, it's only out of necessity.

whoops sorry about that html

[mcgill]

Whoa.

[That's crazy. This is all crazy.]

What other powers were there?

np

[hsalf]

Ironic ones. [He says with a small smirk and a shrug, hoping the humor isn't too ill-timed.] A man who became affected in the middle of a thunder storm developed powers to control the weather. Another man working on cloning vital organs gained the power to clone copies of himself. A woman with a criminal record could teleport to any place she could visibly see. That's just a short list of known cases.

[mcgill]

[It's okay. It earns him a half-grin, at least.]

Were you affected?

[hsalf]

[He shakes his head.]

No, fortunately not. When that accident happened I was inside the building and it went outwards, into the atmosphere. However I hold myself accountable for my actions — I was working to locate known cases and help them best I can, along with a team of my best employees. Though most of them didn't want help, if you can imagine. People like having superpowers.

[And like causing a lot of havoc with them.]

[mcgill]

[Okay, now Jimmy's laughing. It's not meant to be at Harrison's expense, but... it kind of it.]

Fortunately not, and yet here you are now. With a power, I assume.

[hsalf]

[He's confused by the laugh at first, but then smiles thinly when he gets the joke at his expense and nods.]

Yes, indeed. I have the ability to divide my thought process, allowing me to focus on multiple independent thoughts simultaneously. Like a computer almost. It's a unique experience, much like yours or anyone else's first time with powers is. Learning process.

[mcgill]

Man, that sounds useful.

[But also headache-inducing.]

[hsalf]

Yes, but a bit of a strain to use. So far I can only juggle two continuous thoughts at once, but not for long. I plan to test and train it to go further though. [He cants his head to the side.] I give you a — fair suggestion, to do the same. As much as they might seem strange now, it's a part of who you are. At least, while you're here.

[mcgill]

[Jimmy's silent for a moment, thinking. He feels like he has simultaneously occurring thoughts all the time, so he's having trouble understanding how Harrison's power is any different than what he deals with every day. But Harrison's other point — that's more important.

Eventually, Jimmy nods.]

Yeah, you're right.

[hsalf]

[He gives Jimmy a small smile for the response, glad he doesn't seem as nerve-wracked as before. When life forcibly shoves lemons into your hands, sometimes the only option is to make it into lemonade.]

My first suggestion for learning control is to lose the gloves. Adjust yourself to not having them on as often, if you don't want to jump into the deep end straight away. I imagine they'll look a bit silly in public.

[mcgill]

[Yeah, and sometimes your entire life is one big bushel of lemons. Jimmy just needed a few moments to freak out, but he's better now. Ish. He's comforted by the fact that he's not entirely alone, at least.

He looks down at his hands, frowning.]

There goes my conversation piece. How am I supposed to make friends now?

[(He's kidding.)]

[hsalf]

Oh, I'm sure you'll have more to talk about without them getting in the way. [He says with jest in his tone.] You don't need to do it today, not even this week, but unless you're planning to put together a superhero costume to fit them—

[He trails off with a small smile edging on a smirk, not feeling the need to say more to get the point across.]

[mcgill]

[Haha what?? A superhero costume? No. That's ridiculous. Jimmy would never.

He laughs, dismissing the costume thing with a wave of his hand.]

Okay, okay. Point taken.

[hsalf]

I thought as much. [He shrugs his shoulders gently.] I hope you grow more comfortable soon. If you want any further help, you can feel free to contact me in private?

[mcgill]

Yeah, me too. Thanks, Doc. I appreciate it.

[Harrison should expect a phone call at some point soon. Jimmy needs all the help he can get.]