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

[mcgill]

[He pauses for a moment to think about other skills, then eventually nods. Slippin' Jimmy didn't become Slippin' Jimmy overnight.

...but then there's another pause, because he wants to ask her something and he doesn't quite know how to do it. It's not a question he asks often, and certainly never one he's ever asked a teenager.

So when he finally does open his mouth, the words that come out are kind of quiet:] Will you help me?

[tsunderbolt]

[ His tentative demeanor doesn't go unnoticed, for sure—and it's probably not all that easy asking this out of some kid like her (if there's one thing Mikoto knows, it's pride). But for all the stubborn, childish, brattiness she's got, she isn't above lending a helping hand.

So, she nods. ]

I don't mind. [ With a short, playful chuckle, Mikoto lightly makes a pound at her chest with her free hand. ] 'Sides, you wouldn't find anyone else better suited for the job than me!

[mcgill]

[Jimmy smiles, but that smile only shows about half the relief he's feeling. Must! Not let! Teenage girl! Know he's counting on her help!]

Cool.

[so hip]

I dunno about you, but my schedule's pretty open. Want to meet up in a few days?

[tsunderbolt]

The only thing I've got going on is looking around.

[ Figuring this city out and all. Unlike a lot of others, getting used to one's powers isn't an issue for her, so Mikoto's focus is on plenty of other things. ]

So, I could free some time up.

[mcgill]

Yeah? Are you new too?

[tsunderbolt]

That's right. I've only been around for a day or so. It hasn't been very long at all.

[mcgill]

[Another teenager that has more chill than he does. Awesome.]

Can I ask you kind of a weird question?

[tsunderbolt]

—Hm? [ a beat. ] Sure, what is it?

[mcgill]

I'm assuming you're under 18. If I'm wrong, I apologize. But — have you been assigned some kind of legal guardian?

[tsunderbolt]

Um, no, I'm fourteen, but— [ It does strike her as something of a weird question. ] ... Do they do that here?

[mcgill]

I dunno, which is why I'm asking.

[It seems awfully irresponsible to not have a system in place for that sort of thing, but who's Jimmy to criticize? Armin's hyper-competent; maybe Mikoto is, too.]

I was a lawyer back home. Legal matters like this tend to catch my attention.

[tsunderbolt]

[ Also one hell of a rule breaker with a tendency to land herself into trouble. She definitely needs an adult. ]

Oooh... Well, I think I'll be okay. Those government guys set us all up with housing and jobs and that sorta stuff, right? I think they said I'm supposed to be attending school, too.

[ All this settling in stuff leaves a bad taste in her mouth, though. She'd really rather be home. ]

[mcgill]

School's good, but I think it's almost out. It's nearly summer here, isn't it?

[Also, what are the child labor laws in this place like?]

Maybe look into getting a tutor so you don't fall behind this summer and can start fresh in September. [A pause.] ...if you're still here, I mean. And if that's how the school calendar works...

[He trails off, frowning. There's so much he has to look into.]

Do you have any friends from home hangin' around here?

[tsunderbolt]

Is it? Maybe I'll have to look into how the calendar works here—I hear it's pretty different from how it works back home.

[ Speaking of home... ]

About that... I don't think so. I haven't heard from any of them, so I'm guessing not.

[mcgill]

Ah. Sorry to hear that.

[He chews his lip for a moment. Damn this icky feeling of wanting to be a nice person! It's so inconvenient!!]

So — I don't know this place very well yet, but... there's a saying: you scratch my back, I scratch yours. You help me out with my powers, and if you need... I dunno, legal expertise or — or guidance or whatever, you can give me a call. If you want.

[tsunderbolt]

[ Ah, guidance. There's a subtle pinch in her expression, but she isn't about to outright and openly blow him off, either. So with another gentle laugh, Mikoto gestures dismissively. ]

Well, I think I'm too young to involve myself with things like that. I'm sure you'll end up pretty busy sooner or later, so I won't bother you too much.

[mcgill]

[He gets it. In fact, he thinks he sounded a little like Chuck just then, so he puts the brakes on that line of conversation real fast.

Instead, he just nods, then shifts gears back to where they were.]

Is there anything special I should bring or wear when we meet up?

[tsunderbolt]

[ She shakes her head. ]

Nah, you shouldn't need anything else. Just show up and you're good.

[mcgill]

Okay.

[Then, earnestly:] It was nice to meet you.

[tsunderbolt]

[ ... Crap, that's right! ]

Ahh—I never did give my name in return, did I? Sorry 'bout that... My name's Mikoto Misaka—it's nice to meet you, as well!