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

text;

[nohalfway]

trade you

[ How come everyone else has the super bad ass powers and she's stuck with the injury-stealing? ]

[mcgill]

What's up for trade?

[nohalfway]

you can steal peoples broken arms and bruises!
this is a one time exclusive offer so
tick tock

[mcgill]

Iiiiiiiii think I'm gonna pass, actually. That sucks.

[nohalfway]

no shit
yours is actually pretty cool im jealous

[mcgill]

It's also very dangerous. Or has the potential to be, at least.

[nohalfway]

so does mine
so does anyones really
not that it matters
but i get what youre saying, its not all its cracked up to be

[mcgill]

It must take a special kind of person to deal with the kind of power you have. Have you used it yet?

[nohalfway]

once
took a friends bruise one time to see if it was bullshit or not
it wasnt
part of my powers involves fast healing so its not too big a deal but
yeah my imagination says otherwise

[mcgill]

At least you have something to counteract it. So theoretically, if you took a bullet wound from someone who was dying, you wouldn't die?

[nohalfway]

thats not a scary fucking thought. not at all

[ Almost gives her the shivers because she has no idea. ]

uh
im not sure
i guess it depends
it took like two hours for the bruise to totally go away
so i dont know how long a bullet wound would take

[mcgill]

[At some point, Jimmy's going to find out he was talking to a kid, and he's going to feel awful.]

Sorry. This power thing is pretty new to me. We don't have these in real life where I come from.

[nohalfway]

[ Aww, poor Jimmy. It's okay, there's no use filtering yourself around this particular child. ]

we didnt where i come from either
so where do you come from?

[mcgill]

A very normal and boring version of Albuquerque.

[nohalfway]

pfff
sounds great actually
nothings wrong with boring

[mcgill]

Maybe in comparison to this...

[nohalfway]

[ Ellie decided a long time ago she was tired of playing "who has it worse". Giving out the details of where she came from is tiring as hell. ]

if it makes you feel any better
it shouldnt be too tough for you to get used to
other than the powers this place is pretty normal
besides,
i bet you can turn on the tv without a remote now if you tried hard enough

[mcgill]

Hey, that's a good point.

[This power has a lot of practical applications, Jimmy knows. He just hasn't really thought them through yet.]

So your experience here, it's been OK?

[nohalfway]

hasnt been terrible
in comparison to what it could be? yeah this place is fucking paradise with powers thrown in

[mcgill]

I guess that's comforting.

[nohalfway]

ellie, by the way
im not exactly welcome wagon master but i can try

[mcgill]

Trying definitely counts for something. Good talk, Ellie.