Owner	Pose
Doc Samson	"Bruce," the voicemail begins, "it's Leonard Samson. Hear me out. I don't--I know this is an old number. I got it from--well, that doesn't really matter. Maybe you don't check this number any more. But I ... I could use your help, if you're willing to help." There's a sigh. "I think that one of my patients is going to try something dangerous. With gamma. Look, if you're ..." The voice trails off for a long beat. "I'll be at the following address this evening. If you get this and can help, I'd appreciate it." * BEEP * <<End of message.>> That evening, in front of a dilapidated industrial building, Doc Samson creeps toward the entrance, whose security chains have been cut and tossed on the ground nearby. He glances at his watch and looks about. There's a hum from some nearby source, and a faint green light can be seen from deep within the building.
Bruce Banner	There's no reply from the number. Not even a ring back to confirm Bruce heard it. For all intents and purposes, the phone number might as well be disconnected, despite the lack of a warning about such. That evening, a figure has already entered, and is currently walking inside the building, heading for the green light. That figure is Bruce Banner, wearing his modified Unstable Molecule suit. A gift from the Fantastic Four, the blue has been dulled, and where the FF symbol used to be is nothing now. Movement in it is still stiff... sluggish. It's a new suit that Bruce has to break in. To be fair to Bruce, this is the first time he's worn it to a potentially active combat situation.
Doc Samson	The building's layout suggests it was once set up for a variety of laboratories--whether they may have been used by a number of different startups or divisions of a single larger company. Graffiti tags abound as wall decoration. Most of the space is empty now, although there are some older and larger pieces of equipment in assorted states of dissassembly. The green light emanates from a relatively large room, one that seems a cross between lab and hangar. A dozen pieces of industrial machinery have apparently been jury-rigged together, humming loudly with a dish transmitter pointing to a seat in the middle of the room. At a nearby console is a middle-aged man working feverishly to adjust dials and knobs, occasionally referring to output displayed on several monitors. He mutters to himself, working on bits of calculation--calculation that, one might make out with concentration, definitely relates to controlled gamma radiation. Meanwhile, Samson checks his watch one more time and then enters the facility as quietly as he can, creeping through the halls toward the source of the light. Nonetheless, Samson's footsteps make some noise as he accidentally kicks trash and crunches broken glass from some long-since-discarded beakers. He's some distance behind Bruce in terms of pacing, but he's not following the exact same path, either.
Bruce Banner	Potentially unstable. Enough gamma radiation that even The Other Guy might gurp when he tries to absorb it. Some people just never learn... or perhaps they learn all too well. "Sir. Can you step away from the console for a moment? I'd love to speak with you." Comes the voice of Bruce from the entryway as he starts to slowly walk in, his hands to his sides... but palms exposed and visible to the man to show he's unarmed. "I can see what you're doing... and I can tell you from experience. You don't want to try anything like this." The man will probably recognize Bruce if he keeps up with gamma radiation expertise. Bruce is well known to be the top expert in the field. The suit might be new, though.
Doc Samson	The mumbling man, at first, seems to completely disregard Bruce's statement. But, as he turns about in his adjustment work, he pauses in surprise at the sight of Bruce walking towards him. With a tug, the man pulls out his earbuds. "Holy--!" He takes a moment to catch his breath. "You can't know what I'm doing ... wait." The man takes a step forward, squinting. "Are you--are you /him/? Dr. Banner? Oh my God," he says, laughing, "I'm such a huge fan! I can't believe this!" He waves a hand about. "I'm excited that you're here--soon, I'll be just like you. /Just/ like you." Samson creeps toward the lab, back against the wall as he steps closer and closer. Seeing Bruce enter the space, Samson tries to get a glance into the lab without being seen himself. Luckily, the 'scientist' in the space appears to give Bruce his full attention. "Was this just like your setup? No, it couldn't have been, could it?" the man asks excitedly. "But I've got some great ideas that, I think, will unlock the real 'me' deep inside..."
Bruce Banner	"This is not the same setup at all." Bruce informs the man. "I didn't see the gear. I was on a bomb testing range when it happened." He continues to walk forward. "I recognize this equipment though... and I can tell you now, as an expert in the field... this isn't going to work the way you expect it to work." Bruce stops halfway towards the man, making it clear he's not pressuring with his presence. "I'm Bruce Banner, the other side of The Other Guy. Trust me... I know what I'm doing... and this?" Bruce gestures over the room, "This isn't a way to achieve anything."
Doc Samson	"Bomb testing...?" the man asks, looking off into the distance for a moment. "No, that probably wouldn't be remotely as safe. Although maybe there's something to be said for area saturation. Maybe--no, no," he quickly adds, shaking his head. "No. I can't just expose others to the potential effects of gamma." The man pats a nearby console as he takes a step closer to Bruce, listening to the expert's advice. "I know!" he exclaims excitedly. "I only have a rough idea of what will happen. It's like ... it's like a painting or a sculpture. You let the thing emerge, but it can only do so through the artistic act itself." The man sighs and shakes his head. "But maybe that's too alien a position for the scientist to take." At this point, Samson pivots to step into view, his hands also raised like Bruce's had been. "Wilbur," the psychiatrist calls out. "What's going on?" The man grimaces. "Ahhhh, shit. Hi, Doc--Doctor Samson. I'm just, you know, talking to my hero and preparing to realize my dream."
Bruce Banner	"Hero..." Making a half broken man who practically obsesses over removing the Hulk from his life his hero. It's a bit far on the insanity scale for Bruce, and it shown on his face. "I'm no ones hero, Wilbur. I'm a raw nerve that turns into an engine of destruction the moment something exciting happens. It makes my life a living hell that I can't get out of." Samson might be many things, but he's acutely aware of how suicidal Bruce has been and potentially continues to be, with the years of lack of success to separate or remove himself from the Hulk. Remove what is effectively a part of himself that he both loves and hates. "The events that led to The Other Guy coming out were unique in their circumstances... and the rest of the gamma related events have been pure accidents. Trust me when I say there is /no way/ to know what will actually happen if you turn that on."
Doc Samson	"Yes!" Wilbur says, stomping a fist on the console. "You get it! You're an engine of destruction--of change, of getting. shit. done!" He offers a wide grin. "That's what I want, too! But--like you just noted--there's no guarantee I'll be a roiling mass of chaotic power. Maybe I'll be, I don't know, a gamma-enhanced helping-person or something. I'll be the /me/ that's inside!" Samson clears his throat. "Wilbur, you should listen to Bruce. He's being kind enough to share his truth with you. You--" "I /am/ listening!" Wilbur barks, and then he shakes his head and raises a hand. "Sorry. I'm sorry." He looks at Bruce. "I'm sorry, Dr. Banner. Bruce. Whichever you prefer. It's just ... I know this is the right path for me. It's the only thing that's keeping me going. I'm ready for the risks." Wilbur looks back at Samson. "I'm an adult. I'm making this choice. Maybe I'll regret it, but--but maybe not." Samson takes a deep breath. "I understand, Wilbur. No one's saying you can't. But we are saying you shouldn't. Bruce knows from experience. I know from experience. It's not all it's cracked up to be."
Bruce Banner	"No, you're taking our /facts/ and substituting them with your own delusions. I've seen it countless times. As a person. As a scientist." Bruce suddenly grips his hands in sheer frustration. He grits his teeth, "NONE OF YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE. YOU PRETEND YOU 'UNDERSTAND' SO YOU CAN JUSTIFY YOUR SELF DESTRUCTION." Bruce yells at Wilbur, before he points an accusing finger at him. "NO MORE!" Suddenly, and without warning, Bruce heads for the main gamma generator that the man is using for this attempt... and starts to dismantle it by brute force. He'd been studying the machine for the entire time he was in here. Time to break it before the man does something he'll regret.
Doc Samson	Much of the machinery is clearly patched together with rewired jacks and tape for a one-time use, so the dismantling process is easier than even Bruce might have expected--like tearing wet cardboard. "No!" Wilbur cries, leaping to try and get between Bruce and the equipment. Samson dives in, hooking an arm around the man's waist to spin him away from Banner. "Wilbur, this is for your own good. You've had a chance to share your perspective--and this is something that Bruce needs to do." He stares at the man and says more quietly: "You don't want to make him any angrier than he already is." It takes a moment, and then Wilbur seems to comprehend what's happening. His face blanches, and he mouths a long expletive. Some of the equipment doesn't even seem to be in working condition, whether from rust or having been partially gutted at some point in the past, or just because Wilbur's hotwiring ruined it. All the same, it comes apart.
Bruce Banner	Too late. Wilbur manages to push Bruce into the side of the machine, so his back is turned towards them. They don't see the green eyes. The first sign of the change is the growling, "I won't stand by while yet another soul destroys themselves!" A moment later, the green skin comes in, the discoloration coming in all at once as the pink disappears. Within seconds, he's gained a foot. Another moment, another foot... His arms grow double. Triple. His legs do the same. Wilbur can easily tell that the Hulk is coming out. Miraculously, that blue suit Bruce wears? It stretches with him.
Doc Samson	Wilbur's mouthed expletive suddenly grows audible as all the air in his lungs rushes out. "....uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuccckkkkkkk." Samson turns to view the change and grimaces. "This is what I was talking about, Wilbur. I think it's time for you to get on home. Can you do that?" Wilbur stares at the becoming-Hulk until Samson shakes his shoulder. "Buh? Uh. Yes. Yes, I can. I'm gone." And he sprints toward the nearest exit. Samson puts his hands up, palms out, and tries to position himself between the fleeing Wilbur and the emerging Hulk. "Bruce? Bruce, I know you want to do the right thing. You've helped. Believe it or not, you have. We should celebrate that victory ... Bruce?"
Bruce Banner	"Puny Banner isn't here right now. Green Hair can leave a message for him after Hulk SMASHES." Hulk growls, his hands pound together as he examines the room... before he reaches under the generator, and begins to forcibly tear it apart. "Hulk will make sure this never works." Hulk states as he slowly but surely works his way /through/ the machine, smashing the insides as he goes.
Doc Samson	Wilbur races off into the night, not even bothering to stop and get in his car. He huffs and heaves, eyes forward as he leaves the facility behind him. Samson, meanwhile, nods and keeps some distance from the Hulk. "Sure thing. That sounds like it would be productive. No one can try to make this particular bad choice if the equipment doesn't work, right?" He pauses and then continues. "Does it feel good to smash things in a helpful way, Hulk?"
Bruce Banner	At this point, Hulk even listening. That, or he's too far into the destruction to care what Samson is saying. Eventually, he comes out the other side... and he proceeds to start to smash the rest of the bigger equipment. Within a minute, he's finished. "Green Hair can stop talking now." Hulk informs him. "Hulk is done here." Hulk starts to walk over to one of the weaker looking roof sections...
Doc Samson	Furrowing his brow, Samson begins to respond, but the Hulk's trajectory toward the roof leads his expression to change to one of surprise. "I--oh. Ah." Backing up further from the Hulk, the psychiatrist also begins to make his way toward the exit. "Tell Banner I said 'thank you' for the help. And the same to you, Hulk. Thanks." And then he makes his way out of the building.
Bruce Banner	*CRACK!* That's the sound of the roof collapsing in on itself as the Hulk leaps out into the sky, far away from here. For once, fully suited.