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MV1 #85 January Year 4

starring Doc Samson by James Hooper

 “Good afternoon, Tulsa.  I am Kevin Jackson.  Welcome to KTUL Channel 8’s noon report.  Today we are dispensing with our usual noon time news and weather and replacing it with an exclusive interview with one of the most famous people born and raised in Tulsa Oklahoma.”  My colleague, Toni Lawrence, and I will be interviewing that gamma powered, psychologist to the super hero set, Leonard “Doc” Samson.  We will be back after these commercial messages.”

The red lights went off of all the cameras.  “We are clear.  We have 3 minutes for commercials and station identification.  Dr. Samson, could you please take your place in the ‘hot seat’?”

Leonard Samson, walked across the television studio, his nearly seven foot height placing him head and shoulders above the tallest of the cast and crew of Channel 8’s noon time news report.  He was dressed in a gray suit, tailored to fit his large body.  His bright green hair was tied back and held in place by a silver clasp.  A technician placed a small microphone upon his lapel.

 “Could we have a sound check, please Dr. Samson?” the technician asked.

 “Of course.” Leonard Samson replied.  “How is this?” he said in a perfectly modulated mid-western accent.

 “Did we get a good level Charlie?” the technician yelled across the studio.

 “That was fine.,” the sound technician yelled back.

 “Thanks Doc Samson.  If you will please have a seat here.” the technician indicated a chair.  “It is specially reinforced to handle very heavy people.  We always interview the side show fat people when the circus comes into town.  It should be able to handle your weight.”

 As he sat down, Leonard frowned.  “I don’t weigh that much.”

 “Really?” the technician replied.  “Given your size and the way you handle yourself against the Hulk, I would have thought you weighed over 500, easily.”

 “425.”

 “I see.  Well, that chair is rated at 600, so it should have plenty to spare, unless you ate a large breakfast.”

 “Thanks”, Leonard replied sarcastically.

 Across from him, the two hosts were doing last minute preparations.  Kevin Jackson was dressed in a blue suit and was graying at the temples.  He carried himself in a very professional manned.  Toni Lawrence was a young, perky brunette, dressed in a bright red dress that was cut low enough to show some cleavage.  She was chatting amiably with another young woman who was touching up her make up.

 Kevin leaned over towards Leonard.  “Before we started Dr Samson, I wanted to express my admiration for your work over the years.  I have found your papers on the psychological make up of super heroes and villains very interesting reading.”

 “You keep up with my work?  Isn’t that a bit out of your field?”

 “I minored in psychology in college.  I manage to keep a current subscription to some of the journals.  Given the nature of my business, I do tend to stay on top of those stories that deal with the Heroically and Criminally insane.”

 “Heroically insane?  I see you have been reading Kepller’s work, too.”

 “Yes, I have read his work, too.  I was particularly intrigued with his analysis of the vigilante, The Punisher.  What is your opinion of…”

 “Kevin, 10 seconds to air.” came the producer’s voice off stage.

 “Perhaps we can speak later?” Kevin said with a tight smile.

 “Perhaps.” Leonard answered.

 The stage director counted off the time and the ready light came on one of the cameras.

 “Welcome back KTUL’s exclusive interview with Dr Leonard “Doc” Samson.  I am Kevin Jackson.”

 “And I am Toni Lawrence” she stated in a bubbly voice.

 Kevin gave Toni a sideways look that the camera didn’t see, but Leonard did.  He continued, reading the teleprompter, “Leonard Samson was born 33 years ago, here in Tulsa.  He attended public school in this area.  He was Valedictorian of his graduating class.  He went to the University of Oklahoma.  From there he moved on to Columbia University in New York for his Masters and Doctorate.  Once he graduated, he made a name for himself in the world of Psychology by developing some revolutionary electronic devices that were an enhancement above the standard electroencephalograph and electroshock therapy.  It allowed for better diagnostic testing and treatment of the mentally ill.  During this time he came in contact with General “Thunderbolt” Ross.  He managed to convince the General that he could cure the General’s daughter and the monster known as The Hulk.  He assisted in the capture of the Hulk and analyzed Dr Bruce Banner.  He diagnosed Dr Banner as suffering from an extreme case of multiple personality disorder.  Using a device that he developed, the Cathexis Ray Projector, he managed to cure Dr Banner of his condition and also restore Betty Ross to her original condition.  For some reason, known only to him, he exposed himself to the residual energy present in the Cathexis Ray Projector. The resulting mutation resulted in the form that we see now.  Since then, he has battled the Hulk several times, in an attempt to cure him.  Most recently, he assisted the New York Police Department with a hunt for a serial killer, known as the Patchwork killer.  Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Dr Leonard “Doc” Samson.

 “Good afternoon Dr. Samson.  Thank you for your time and this interview.”

 “Good afternoon.  Thank you for having me on the show today.”

 “Hi Doc!  I can call you Doc or Doc Samson, right?” chimed in Toni.

 “Hello Toni.  You can call me Doc or Doc Samson, but I prefer Leonard.”

 “Okay, Doc.”, Toni answered.  Kevin’s eyes tightened and his brow wrinkled

 “Obviously there is some sort of conflict here,” Leonard thought to himself.

 “Dr Samson,” Kevin started, “why have you decided to return home?  Is it perhaps work related?”

 “Nothing as exciting as that, Kevin.  I am home for two reasons: My graduating class from JFK high school is having their 15-year reunion this weekend.  In addition I have been asked to present a paper as part of a psychology lecture series they are giving.  There will be the usual dinners, awkward parties mindless talk, and that will just be at the University.” Leonard said with a wry smile on his lips.

 “I guess that you will get the most changed award, huh Doc?”  Toni chimed in, with a little giggle.  “7 feet tall and green hair must be a real change from your days in high school?”

 “Let me just say, that I spent more time with the AV squad than the football team.”

 “Yes,” Kevin said breaking in.  “Dr Samson, you hold an unusual place in the world of super heroes.  You seem to hold yourself apart from the rest of the community.  Why?”

 “I don’t really consider myself a super hero.  I am a licensed and practicing Psychoanalyst.  I believe that to be my place in life.  I feel that I perform more good in that role.   If there are situations in which my other abilities are more useful, I won’t hesitate to use them, but I don’t go out of my way to seek out “evil” and vanquish it as some of the others do.  If innocents are in harms way or the Hulk were rampaging down the street, I would take action.  If I were in New York and heard that Stilt Man was robbing a bank across town, I wouldn’t go out and attempt to take him into custody.  There are those who are better trained and equipped to handle those emergencies: The police, Avengers, Fantastic Four, etc.    In addition to those reasons, I have also been making a detailed study of the super-hero mind.  What makes those that are called heroes act the whey that they do?   Because of this study, I need to maintain a professional detachment from my subjects and potential patients.

 “Very interesting.  What made you step in front of the Cathexis Ray Projector?”

 “Scientific curiosity, I suppose.”

 “Doc, you mentioned “other” abilities.  What did that Cathexis Ray thingy do to you?” Toni asked.

 “The Cathexis ray projector bathed me in the residual radiation that first turned Dr Banner into the Hulk.  In most people, the amount of radiation would be deadly.  In those lucky few, such as myself, the radiation has a more beneficial effect: The radiation had a mutagenic effect.  My entire body has been enhanced.  I have a great deal of strength and resistance to injury, though not to the degree the Hulk does.  I am bulletproof.  My reflexes have been enhanced.  I can jump almost 1000 feet at a time.  Oh, and my hair turned green.”

 “All of it?” Tony asked, giving him an appraising look.  “Has everything been enhanced?”

 Leonard shifted uncomfortably in his seat.  “I am not sure exactly what you mean”.  He wasn’t sure if he liked the way Toni was looking at him.  She obviously had more than the interview on her mind.  He now understood how a mouse felt when a cat was stalking it.

 Kevin came to his rescue. “That is very fascinating, Dr Samson.  For your entire public life, you have been linked to the Hulk.  You have battled him several times and have attempted to cure him on more than one occasion.  You have not been very successful.  How do you feel about this?”

 Leonard smiled.  “Are you trying to analyze me Kevin?”  There was polite laughter all around the set.  “I admit that I am a bit frustrated by my inability to completely cure Dr Banner of his condition.  However, his condition is the most extreme case of multiple personality disorder on record.  He will not respond to normal treatments.  I will continue to try to cure him.  If he becomes a menace again, I will have to try to stop him.”

 “Wouldn’t that hurt?” Toni asked with a note of concern.

 “As a matter of fact it does.  When someone as strong as Dr Banner is, hits you, you definitely feel it.  It is a bit of a surprise that I have survived my run-ins with him.  I think I have been too cocky or drunk upon my own power to effectively battle the Hulk.  Once I became accustomed to my power, I think I have been much more effective when fighting the Hulk or anyone else for that matter.  As evidence of that, I point to the fact that I have captured the Hulk on numerous occasions.”

 “Tell me Doc, is there a Mrs. Doc Samson or a girlfriend in your background?” Toni suddenly interjected.  From Kevin’s muted response, this was not on the agenda.

 “I have dated from time to time, but no, I have never married and am not seeing anyone at this time.”

 “The National Enquirer and others have linked you romantically with several super heroines, most notably, the She Hulk.  Any comments?”

 “I have never dated any superheroines.  Jennifer and I have never been romantically involved.  I have the deepest respect for Jennifer.  She is highly intelligent and an excellent lawyer.  She cares very much for the people around her and takes her responsibility as a hero and proponent for mutant rights very seriously.”

 “I guess the fact she could beat you in an arm wrestling match may have something to do with it, too.”

 Leonard smiled, “Well, there is that.”  More polite laughter drifted from around the studio.

 Kevin interrupted.  “You mentioned mutant rights.  You have been linked to the push for the establishment of mutant rights.  Is this true?”

 “Yes as a matter of fact I have.  To paraphrase Dr Martin Luther King, people should be judged for the content of their character, not their DNA sequence.  My situation gives me a unique perspective.  Why should I, who was exposed to radiation after I was born, be considered a hero, while someone who may have been exposed to radiation before they were born, is considered a menace, just because they were born that way.  It is very illogical, but that is I one of the thing humanity is good at.  It is up to myself and others to change people’s minds.”

 “I’ve heard that you have served as an analyst of the government mutant team, X-force.  Do you have any juicy gossip or insider information?”

 “I am sorry Toni.  I am afraid that my responsibility as an analyst, keeps me from disclosing any thing said in the Analyst-patient relationship.  Also, I have National Security issues to consider.  I don’t have any gossip or insider information.

 Kevin interrupted again.  “I am sorry to interrupt, but it seems that we have run out of time.  I would like to thank Dr. Samson for spending time with us today.  We will broadcast highlights from today’s interview at our 6 O’clock report.  This is Kevin Jackson…”

 “And I am Toni Lawrence, saying have a Good Afternoon.”

 The red lights went off on all of the cameras.

 “We are clear, people.  Everyone did a great job.  Thank you for your time, Dr. Samson.  Lets get the video to editing.”  yelled the Stage Manager.

 Leonard Samson rose from the chair and unclipped the microphone.  He hadn’t had a chance to step off of the stage when Toni bounced up to him.

 “You know Doc, if you don’t have an escort to show you around town, I would gladly volunteer my services as a guide.  Perhaps you can give me an exclusive.”  There was a strange look in her eye that unsettled Leonard.

 “Ms Lawrence…” Leonard began.

 “Toni.”

 “Toni”, he started again.  “I am a native of Tulsa.  I really don’t need an escort.  I do appreciate the offer, though.”

 “Are you sure?” she crooned.  Leaning forward she gave Leonard an eye full of her cleavage.  “I could show you a really good time.”

 Kevin came to his rescue.  “Toni!  How many times have I asked you not to use our news program to as your own personal dating service?  It is very unprofessional of you to carry on this way.  He is not one of your cowboys, rodeo clowns, rock stars or circus strong men.  Dr Samson is a world-renowned psychologist and a genuine hero.  Please refrain from…”

 “Listen old man, I told you to lay off me!  I am an adult and can do as I please.”

 Leonard Samson consider walking away that moment, as their voices rose.  It was quite obvious to him that this had been building for some time.  By this time both Kevin and Toni were shrieking at each other.  Some small part of his consciousness was registering the fact that someone was calling his name, but he was concentrating on how to defuse the situation in front of him.

 “Leonard Samson!” The voice cut across his awareness, drawing him away from arguing newscasters.

 He turned toward the direction of the voice, saying a brief prayer for the distraction.  Standing on the other side of the studio was a tall, woman with shoulder length blond hair and striking green eyes.  He walked across the studio towards her.  She appeared to be restless.  Leonard noted that she was very attractive.

 “Did you call me, Miss?”

 “Yes, I did Leonard.”  Her tone conveyed familiarity.

 He took a second closer look at her.  She looked familiar, but he couldn’t quite place the name or the face.  “Have we met before?” he asked.

 A look of irritation crossed her face.  “I would say that we have met before.”

 Leonard looked at her again and still could not place her.  His confusion must have been carried on his face.  The woman became even more irritated, crossed her arms and looked Leonard directly in the eye.

 “Lenny” speaking slowly and annunciating every word.  “It! Is! Me!”

 Something seemed to click in Leonard’s head; a flash of memory: A picture of a young girl with glasses, braces, and knobby knees, the first great love of Leonard Samson’s life.

 “Elizabeth?” he asked incredulously.  His face breaking out in a smile.

 She returned the smiled.  “Yes, it is me.”  He noticed that the smile seemed to brighten up the whole room.

 “I didn’t recognize you.  You have changed so much since high school.”

 “I could say the same for you.,” she said as she looked him up and down.

 Leonard chuckled.  “Please tell me that your change isn’t due to exposure to gamma radiation or chemicals.”

 “No.  I bloomed after high school.  This is all Mother Nature’s doing.”

 “Please give her my compliments.  What are you doing here?  Are you in town for the reunion?”

 “Actually I still live here in Tulsa.  I am also on the reunion committee.  I have known that you were coming back to Tulsa for some time, now.”

 “So, did you come down here to see me?” he said as a small piece of his soul flared to life for the first time in nearly 15 years.

 “As a matter of fact, yes.  However, it may not be for the reasons that you think.”  The spark fluttered in the face of that statement.  “I am here to ask if you would have time to pay a visit to your old high school and visit with the students.  Would you?”

 Leonard noticed a change in her tone.  “The school sent a member of the reunion committee to ask me to attend?  Why didn’t they send a member of the faculty?”

 “They did.  I teach English at JFK high.  Dr Mazyck thought I was the best choice for asking you.  He thought I would have a better chance for getting your cooperation.”

 “Dr Mazyck is still the principal?  He was old when we were students.  Of course I would be glad to pay a visit.”  He pulled out an electronic organizer.  “I have tomorrow morning free. I could stop by about 9.”

 Elizabeth seemed to brighten at that idea.  “That would be fine.  Now that I have taken care of my professional obligations I have only one thing to say to you: Would you join me for dinner tonight?”

 Leonard was taken back by the sudden change in her demeanor.  “You were not this forward when we were in high school together.”

 Elizabeth Summers smiled slyly at him.  “That is not the only thing that has changed about me Leonard.  Are you staying at the Marriott?”

 “Uh, no.  I am staying at the Doubletree.  The University is paying for it.”

 “Well then, what about the Seven West Café at 7?
 
 “Sounds good to me.  7 it will be.”

 “See you there.”  Elizabeth turned around a walked a few steps.  She looked back.  “Lenny, it is really good to see you.”

 Leonard felt his heart skip a beat.  “It is good to see you, too, Elizabeth.”  He watched her walk out of the studio.  It was then that he noticed he had been sweating.  Leonard Samson couldn’t remember the last time he perspired, that didn’t include going toe-to-toe with the Hulk.  Part of him thought that was safer.

 He left the studio and climbed into the limousine provided him by the University.  The limo was driven by a middle age man by the name of Henry.  He was talkative, but Leonard didn’t hear what the driver was saying.  He was lost in his own memories of Elizabeth Summers.  They had dated on and off for several years, but had been very serious during their senior year.  After the prom, she had grown distant.  It was something Leonard couldn’t understand.  He had neither the training, experience, nor wisdom to communicate effectively with the young woman.  She disappeared shortly after graduation.  Her parents had been very vague about her whereabouts.  He soon became immersed in his own studies and his life had taken a path away Elizabeth Summers.  After his senior year in under-graduate, he had rarely thought of her.  His train of thought was suddenly derailed by the sound of screeching tires and a sudden crash that threw him across the back seat of the car.  The car tipped up on the passenger side.

 Doc Samson stood up in the back seat.  Pushing against the driver’s side door, it popped loose from its hinges with a shriek of metal.  Bending as much as the cramped confines would let him, he leapt out of the back of the limo and landed a few feet away.  He was facing away.  He turned around to see the limo up on its side with a petroleum carrier crossing the “T”.  Doc Samson could see smoke billowing out from the other side of the wrecked vehicles.  He sprinted to the side of the limo.  With gamma-powered strength he dug his fingers into the roof of the car and peeled the roof back.  He could see Henry lying on the “bottom” of the car.  The airbags were not effective against this side impact.  He was covered with blood from cuts to his head, face and neck.  His left arm was hanging at an awkward angle.  Doc Samson leaned down and gingerly removed Henry from the burning wreckage, protecting his head and neck.  He carried him over to the sidewalk.  Henry was whispering feebly.

 “He must have run the red light.  I didn’t see him coming.”

 “That is okay.  Rest yourself.”  Doc Samson could hear the sirens in the distance.  He turned to the crowd.  “Is the driver of the truck all right.”

 “I’m right here.  Man, the brakes locked up on me, and I couldn’t stop in time.  I am so sorry.” the driver said shakily.  He appeared to be physically all right.  “We’ve got another problem.  I am carrying over 5000 gallons of high-octane jet fuel.  The accident punctured the limo’s gas tank.  The whole thing is liable to go up any second now.”

 “What!  Keep an eye on him.”  Doc Samson sprinted over to the wreckage.  Flames were already licking from the semi truck around the diesel fuel tanks.  Doc looked around for alternatives.  “How much does your whole rig weigh?”, he shouted at the driver.

 “About 18 tons or so.”

 “How far is it to the Arkansas River.”

 “About two blocks in that direction.” the driver pointed.

 “Move everyone out of here.”

 Doc Samson moved in to the wrecked semi.  He felt the flames catch onto his clothing, but they didn’t effect his tough skin.  He slowly lifted the semi, trying to find the proper balance point.  “If I am wrong about this, this whole thing will break open and explode here.” he thought.  Finding what he hoped was the right point, he lifted the rig and its explosive contents.  Flexing his legs, he leaped into the air in the direction of the Arkansas River.  Usually he had a few seconds to enjoy his “flight”.  This time he was trying to control it as much as possible and estimate his landing point in the river.   The extra weight threw off his usual pin point accuracy.  The flames had engulfed the diesel tanks and he could feel the tank start to expand in response to the heat. His clothes were now on fire, too.  As he came down from his leap, he leaned the mass of burning wreckage as close to the center of the river as he could.  He noted that there wasn’t any boat traffic in the area.  He could see the people on the Riverwalk pointing and gawking at the unusual sight of a flaming petroleum-laden semi falling from the sky.

 With a great crash and rush of steam the entire wreckage, along with one flaming man-shaped figure fell from the sky, and into the Arkansas River.  The wreckage sank slowly, total immersion causing the flames to die down.  By a stroke of luck, crashing into the river had not caused the tank to leak.  For several moments the scene was quiet.  In a fountain of water a shape burst from the water and landed on the nearby shore.  There was thunderous applause from the crowd for their hometown hero.  Doc Samson took a moment to enjoy the crowd’s adulation and then noticed that they were no longer clapping but staring and pointing.  Many of the women and some of the men on shore seemed to be staring at him and sizing him up.  It was then that Leonard Samson realized that the flames from the burning semi had burned his clothes off.  Gathering as much dignity as he could, Leonard Samson turned and calmly walked into the water until he was waist deep.

 “I really need to talk to Reed about getting some clothes made of unstable molecules”, Leonard said to no one in particular.  In the distance Leonard could hear the wail of approaching sirens.

Fini