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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?

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video; I HOPE YOU DON'T MIND IF I SCOOT IN HERE THE LATEST.

[kingpawn]

[ What the fuck is Walt seeing here. Did Saul get a toupee? Or is this some kind of look alike from a different world? Walt had met a couple people here who shared ghostly similar faces but weren't related in any way. And who the hell is Jimmy McGill? ]

....have we met before?

NOT AT ALL

[mcgill]

[By some miracle (the "miracle" being alprazolam he bought off some high school kid), Jimmy is much calmer today than he's been the past few days. Diminished paranoia, no more trying to attack anybody, increased appetite... it's nice, not panicking.

When Walt's name appears on his screen, he immediately recognizes it as the one Jesse brought up in their conversation.

And he doesn't panic.

God bless benzos.]

No, but I know who you think I am. I'm not that guy.

[That's going to become his mantra, isn't it?]

[kingpawn]

You must be getting that a lot then. To know who I'm thinking of...

[ Suspicious, but not overt. A part of him wonders if this is Saul's new identity. Except...the age. The hair. Walt can look at this rationally. If this was Saul before he met him, then that means the secret is safe. That means there's nothing to fear. But just to make sure: ]

So is who I'm thinking of -- who you will one day become?

[mcgill]

[Jimmy doesn't really know who he becomes yet; he just knows that Saul Goodman gets tied up in a lot of dangerous shit.

And that's enough for him.

Firmly:] No. I mean — maybe, I don't know. Maybe if I were back home and not here, things would play out however they did... uh, when they did, but that's not how this particular cookie crumbled. I'm here now. Things are different.

[And he's going to say that until he believes it.]

[kingpawn]

You're right. Things are different.

[ Walt nods. It's easy going enough. Actually it's wonderful. This is the best case scenario for Saul's return. No memories of Jesse or him or what they did. Couldn't be used by Chilton against him. Couldn't turn Hank against him either. ]

And I have to ask -- does the name Freddie Lounds mean anything to you?

[mcgill]

[Eesh. This guy's already giving him the creeps. It's like talking to that Crane fellow, almost.]

No. Anyone I knew here, I don't know now because I haven't met them yet.

[He makes a face. Was that sentence as confusing as it sounded?]

[kingpawn]

[ omg no. Gross. Don't compare him to Crane and his fearboners! ]

She's no longer here from my understanding. She's...she's from the same world as a friend of mine. You two apparently dated. So hopefully she wouldn't be too upset that you forgot her if she were to ever show up again.

[mcgill]

[He did what?

He dated someone?

Jimmy's expression totally betrays what he's feeling: confusion, mostly.]

Oh. Uh, that's good to know. Thanks.

[kingpawn]

Anytime.

[ Because Walt is so helpful. ]

Did you happen to catch the reruns of your show?

[mcgill]

Not yet. I've heard plenty about it, though.

[His tone suggests that he is really, really not sure what to think about any of that.]

[kingpawn]

It could be insightful. To give it a watch. That Jeff Winger guy took your old time slot.

I'm still trying to decide which show is worse.

[mcgill]

[Wow. Rude.]

Hey, what was wrong with my show?

[It was hosted by Saul Goodman. Jimmy can already guess what was "wrong" with it.]

[kingpawn]

Give it a watch and maybe you can tell me.

[ Amused. ]

Maybe you can consider it a preventative measure. Most of us don't get to go back in the past and change the future.

[mcgill]

[Something about that phrase rubs Jimmy the wrong way: "preventative measure." It sounds like something Chuck would say.]

Yeah. I guess I'm lucky.

[Sure doesn't sound like he honestly thinks that, though.]