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[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

LATE...

[yatagarasu]

[And sure enough, this man's appearance is enough to catch Kay's attention. Mr. Goodman? Or was he someone else...

No, this had to be him. Younger. There were little things about him, bits and pieces that fit the Saul Goodman she knew. And when he speaks, everything clicks into place, and the picture in Kay's mind is complete.

...and then he introduces himself as Jimmy McGill. What. But...he's Saul Goodman! Did he have another name before? Or was he posing as someone else? So many questions crowd each other out but Kay quashes them all with a single sobering jolt back to reality: Saul, or whatever he's calling himself, or whichever is his real name, does not remember being here. And why would he, if he were younger? Still, she missed him enough to reply.]

...Sorry, there's no way of waking up. This is all real.

[mcgill]

I had a feeling.

[He laughs a little, but it's a humorless laugh. At this point, he just sounds tired.]

I stubbed my toe a little while ago, so when that didn't wake me up...

[yatagarasu]

Ouch. [She flinches in sympathy.] I'd wake up after one of those.

On the bright side...your superpowers aren't a dream?

[mcgill]

That's the silver lining and the cloud. I have no experience with superpowers outside of fiction. In my world, they're not real.

[Although he used to have dreams he could fly.

Damn, why can't he fly?]

[yatagarasu]

I didn't, either. You get the hang of it, don't worry. [She looks optimistic.

...but yes, flying would be so cool.]

[mcgill]

Yeah, that's what I've heard about half a dozen times so far.

[Which is not to say that he's ungrateful for the optimism!

He manages a little smile.]

It's starting to feel like I have my own personal cheering squad. I can dig it.

[yatagarasu]

Should I start stocking up on pompoms? [Kay gives him a mischievous grin. Well, looks like she could hit it off with him again, even if they do have to start over again.] Making up cheers?

[She raises her arms and starts doing an impromptu, totally asymmetrical and random cheer routine.]

J-I-M-M-Y! Goooo Jimmy!

[mcgill]

[DID THAT REALLY JUST HAPPEN.

Jimmy ducks his head and laughs.]

Wow. First time for everything.

[yatagarasu]

[Expect more antics like this in the future, Jimmy.]

You're gonna have a lot of firsts while you're here.

[mcgill]

[Something tells him he definitely should.

Not that it'll help him get used to it, but...]

Yeah, I'm gettin' that vibe. How long have you been here?

[yatagarasu]

Over a year. [She says it with an air of nonchalance. It's just something she tells anyone who asks, no big deal.] I was sent home for only a day or something, but that was it.

[mcgill]

[He's heard that kind of response a lot. It gives him the heebie jeebies, but it also kind of gives him hope.]

Glitch in the system?

[yatagarasu]

Probably. [Kay shrugs.] Unfortunately some people get sent home...then come back. Sometimes from the past or the future.

[mcgill]

Yeah, um.

[He pauses, shifting around in his seat.]

I heard I was here before. So that's... a thing.

[yatagarasu]

[Hoo boy. The point of no return. Kay nods solemnly.]

Actually...they're right. I knew you while you were here, too.

[mcgill]

I hear I was a pretty popular guy.

[A crooked little smirk appears on his face. It almost seems like he's cracking a joke, like he can't really wrap his head around the idea of being popular and liked.]

[yatagarasu]

[That smirk reminds Kay of Saul...and she gives Jimmy (yeah, he's Jimmy now) a sad, wistful smile.]

You were.

[mcgill]

[So here's the thing: People keep giving him that look. And when people give him that look, he wants to know why they're giving him that look. That's not the kind of look he's used to getting from... well, anyone, really, and it does something funny to the contents of his chest.]

Were we —

[Don't say "friends." Abigail made that boundary clear.]

Close?

[yatagarasu]

["Close"? That's one way of putting it. Kay made bento box lunches for him, discussed crazy things with him, and was his assistant in his lawyer escapades. But somehow that wasn't the right, accurate word for it.]

I was your assistant.

[mcgill]

Oh!

[He sounds part pleasantly surprised, part confused. It's so strange, this whole idea that he was successful enough to have garnered the reputation he had — and that he needed an assistant to handle it all.

Or, uh.

Will need. Whatever.]

Sorry if the name thing's confusing to you. I know it's been kind of an issue for some people. [Then, in a stage whisper:] Like me.

[yatagarasu]

[She shakes her head, a nonchalant gesture at first glance, but the glint in her eyes is melancholy, nostalgic, as if seeing a past memory flash before her while talking to Jimmy.]

It's okay. I don't mind calling you Jimmy. [Kay really doesn't.]

[mcgill]

Okay. I won't mind if you slip up.

[Goodness knows he would, if he were in Kay's shoes. He studies her expression carefully, then adds:] I'm a judge again, by the way. Just... not one with a TV show.

[yatagarasu]

That's still something. [The smile returns to her face, slowly, more restrained.] You could work on getting your TV show back.

[mcgill]

Nah, that's not really my thing. Not yet, anyway. But hey, if I ever need an assistant... I know who to call now, right?

[Maybe?]

[yatagarasu]

Yup! [She winks.] Kay Faraday, Great Thief Yatagarasu and Ace Assistant, at your service!