Well, hey-- if it makes you feel any better, according to a majority of people I meet, I've got a PhD in stupid.

(Because, hey: being compared to a crazy scientist dude isn't a life failure or anything, right?)

Which practically (he releases a snorting and self-sure burst of laughter) means that I've got amazing ideas. Sooo, by proxy... you see where the ball is rolling here?

Mmmm-well, it's all a matter of semantics, really. I mean, they were both really dangerous ideas.

And this little... "situation" here doesn't strike me as being all that life threatening. So, not so stupid, if you think about it, man.

Irritating's sucky, sure, but totally livable...

Dude, I gotta say, nice picture though. (Two thumbs up.) Super photogenic. All mine? My nose is all out of whack, and kind of bothers me. Least my hair's always in top shape.

And really, the name's not horrible either. It's like one of those badass names they give war heroes. "Ol' man Strikah!" (The amount of cringe is just oozing out of his horrible Aussie imitation accent.) My name's just kind of, been there, done that.

(Newt nods along with Herc's whole "i'm not that old" spiel, even though he's figuring the guy's got to be in his late 40's, maybe early 50's.)

Popular? (There's a weird hybrid of a cough and a laugh that escapes at hearing that.) I mean, well, sure, us eggheads have our weird fans too. No big surprise there, but c'mon, you're a Ranger, dude. You guys are the big dogs, the rock stars. People love you!

Kind of hard to believe Gottlieb wanted much to do with a place like this, huh? Yeah, that was weird to see. (He's still trying to wrap his head around that one, but hey, if Hermann wants to live a little, who's he to stop him?) Kind of convinced myself he was allergic to human beings. Guess not.

As for myself, this is prime real estate, baby. You've got your freaks, your geeks, your gods, your beasts... like, c'mon! It's pretty damn awesome! (There's one hell of an enthusiastic grin to accompany that.) This kind of thing is my drug!

How about you? Meet any cool folks yet?

Well, I really shouldn't be making promises I can't keep... (After a second, he realizes that he should really change his tone, especially in the midst of the Marshall.) Uhhh, but, no really, I'm totally on it. Yeah, I'm swearing off all of those impulsive, risk-taking kind of antics. No problems there, sir. Don't have to worry.

(Herc may not be Marshall Pentecost, but damn if the man isn't just as intimidating. Newt re-adjusts his glasses, just to look a little more professional.)

Trust me, I'm not half as exciting as some of the people you'll see out there. There's really nothing to be worried about.

Well, except the touching. Got a few people who think I'm their boyfriend all of a sudden. Kinda weird.

Haha, yeah, because. Gross. (Even though Newt's extremely guilty of watching more than a few weird hentai in his days.) Not to mention toxic. Very toxic.

I mean, don't get me wrong, I love the ladies, I'd just like to get to know who I'm dealing with first. Is that so much to ask for?

Dude, why am I even talking about this? (He groans.) Talk about a need for change of subject.

Nah, man, I just thinking of kind of going with the flow, seeing where things take me. I mean, if I eventually end up in a game, that'd be pretty sweet, but I'm not gonna keep my fingers crossed or anything.

(There's a bit of a foolish grin there.)

Then again, it wouldn't hurt to tread some new territory, test the waters. Maybe I could save the world again. Who knows, really?

Cocky? I'm not... cocky. Just invested in life, thank you.

(Newt looks as if he's got a rebuttal... but he doesn't and gestures surrender, even nodding in agreement.)

Hey, whoa, I never explicitly said I agreed.

(He crosses his arms.)

But yeah, I can be an idiot, I have my moments. Arguably MANY moments. But that's, like I said, arguable.

Hannibal Chau? Hannibal Chau was an asshole! He tried to kill me!

(Newt fumes with a stern finger pointed at Herc.)

I'm glad he's gone. Poetic justice, man.

Wha-- his shoe? Why would I want his shoe? Ew, no.

Who the hell... no. Screw that. Far's I know, that thing's still at the scene.

That is exactly why I didn't even think about taking that dude's shoe.

(He shivers at the thought of it.)

Yeah, no need for any more of that guy perusing around in my life. Taking that shoe would have been a death sentence.

... You don't say? (Watch that eyebrow arch waay up, because whaaaat?)

I mean, I really really have caused a lot of trouble, especially for you.