Incredible Hulk  Vol.3 #34
? ?

Cover:

Story: 

Credits: Bruce Jones (Writer)

Featured Characters: Hulk II/Mister Green (Bruce Banner)

Supporting Characters: Mister Blue (bts, over the internet)

Villains: Unnamed gang members,Gang leader

Other Characters: Jerome, Jerome’s mother, Hotel clerk, FOX News Anchor (on television), Trucker, Ricky Myers (in photograph on television), Travis Myers, Ricky’s ‘father’ (mentioned on television), Mrs. Myers, Ricky’s ‘mother’ (mentioned on television), Richard Lenders (mentioned in a newspaper article)

Comments: Hulk uses the alias ‘Mister Jones’ in this issue, possibly out of affection for the friendship he had with Rick Jones. (in reality perhaps as a "welcome" to new writer Bruce Jones who starts as regular writer with this issue)

Synopsis: It’s nighttime in St. Louis, as Banner walks across the street. Walking with his coat pulled up around his face and his hat pulled low down on his head, local gang members harass him as they ‘compliment’ him on his “ill pants”. He turns around to stare the gang leader in the eyes before entering a hotel. As he walks in the hotel, an unshaven obese clerk is watching a Fox News broadcast, which is playing footage of the destruction of downtown Chicago caused by the Hulk. According to the broadcast, the only reported death is that of nine-year old Ricky Meyers.
As the clerk continues to watch the show and eat his hamburger, he tells Banner that it costs twenty dollars a night to stay there. Banner hands him a fifty telling him one night, to which the clerk replies that he can’t change the bill. Banner then says two nights and starts walking up the stairs to his room. The news broadcast then cuts in that they have tape feed from CNN showing Ricky’s parents, Mister and Mrs. Travis Meyers, at the Mt. Prospect Hospital where their son was pronounced dead.
In his room Banner sets up a mini tv and the news broadcast continues… they state that the present whereabouts of Bruce Banner are still unkown. As the feed switches to angry civillians speaking out against the Hulk, Banner lays the contents of his suitcase out on his bed. Within it was hair dye, nutriton bars, clothes, an extra set of glasses, shaving supplies, a book on yoga, a book on Taming The Inner Wild, and a metronome. Banner then turns off the tv and turns to his laptop. Eating a nutrion bar, he types a message to Mister Blue... asking him if he is there. Noticing a small rat by the post of his bed, he drops some crumbs from his bar and the rat hungrily eats it. He then again types the message to Mister Blue. This time Mister Blue responds and calling him Mister Green, tells him that he can’t talk now. As he is ‘doing the wash’.
Banner is sitting in a yoga position on his bed as his metronome swings back and forth. The sound of the metronome sooths him as his thoughts drift off to a young woman in a bikini. Later on, he is in his robe and is heading off to the bathroom. As he steps into the hall he hears an argument going on between a boy and his mother. The mother is holding a wad of cash in her hand and is telling her son, Jerome, that she doesn’t want it in her house and that they will never be that poor. Throwing the money into the hall as Jerome walks away, she tells Banner that Jerome made honor roll just last year and now look at him. She goes on to say “It’s the block. Full of sharks. No matter how hard you swim… how you gonna get past them sharks?”, Before turning back into her room and shutting the door behind her. Leaving Banner in the hall alone with money strewn around his feet.
In the bathroom, Banner is in the bathtub and watching his mini-tv. He is watching the news broadcast again, as they state that they have some tape of the rampage caused by Hulk caught by an ‘amateur photographer’. Showing Bruce Banner’s driver’s license, they tell the audience that if they see this man, that they should notify the police and not approach him. And that they also believe him to be wearing a beard. As the news anchor finishes off his sentence, Banner is touching his face, obviously deciding to shave off his beard.
Back in his room, a clean-shaven and bald Banner is again sitting in front of his laptop typing a message to Mister Blue. Taped to his computer screen is an article cut out of a paper. The article is about Doctor Richard Lenders’ advances in the link between normal and psychotic brain waves. Mister Blue sends him a message back telling him that his ‘Aunt June is sick’ and he is forced to leave his present location, and he will contact him later. Banner tells him that he’ll wait to hear from him and best wishes to his aunt. Suddenly, a police siren wails out and Banner looks out the window. Looking down on the street, he sees Jerome run and hide behind a bus stop as the cops drive past. Banner smiles.
Banner is laying down his bed, apparently asleep as Jerome up his wallet and his laptop and prepares to leave the room. Banner speaks up, telling Jerome that he is up kind of late for a school night and that he heard him the moment he came in. Jerome says that he can now listen to him leave, and Banner says not with his wallet and his laptop. Jerome asks how Banner intends to stop him, to whom he replies ‘by asking’. Banner says that he means he wouldn’t want to mess with a real live gang member, would he? Jerome asks him if he’s a cop, and Banner asks him if he looks like it. Jerome says he looks like a ‘chump’ because he is a ‘white boy with a shaved head’ and they don’t see that around this neighborhood because of certain connotations. Banner smiles and asks Jerome about why all the ‘gangsta’ stuff. Jerome says that he Banner has seen the neighborhood he lives in and that he has already watched the ‘after school special’, as he gives him his wallet back. Banner says that he’d rather have the laptop back. Again sirens blare out and Banner quickly hides behind a curtain and looks out. Jerome then asks what Banner is hiding from, and he says ‘himself’ and that his name is ‘Jones’. Jerome hands Banner his laptop and tells him that maybe he does need it and climbs out the window.
Again sitting in front of his laptop, Banner asks Mister Blue how the weather is, while a news broadcast states that there still are no leads on his whereabouts. Mister Blue responds and says that the weather is fine and it is looking good for the immediate future. Taking another bite out of his nutrion bar, Banner throws the last of it to the rat underneath his bed. Later on he is sitting on a bench outside as he sees Jerome getting hassled by his fellow ganger members. Banner starts getting up and his eyes start turning greener, as the transformation is emerging. Jerome looks over and sees Banner and one of the gang members calls Banner ‘Moby’ and asks if he has something to say. Turning around to prevent his transformation, Banner says nothing and walks away.
Leaves are falling as Jerome is sitting in a drained pond tossing rocks, Banner walks up and asks him if he’s dissapointed in him. Jerome tells him that its not his problem so not to worry about it. Banner says no it wasn’t his problem, but he has problems of his own… and that, like Jerome’s mother said, when ‘we swim with sharks, there’s going to be blood in the water’ and sooner or later it will be theirs. He tells him that he can always get out of the gang and Jerome walks off saying that there isn’t no out around there.
Back in his hotel room, Banner is talking to Mister Green again. Mister Green says that the weather is still warm and friendly and tells him to stay put and keep low. Looking behind him he sees Jerome climbing in the window. Banner asks what he can do for him as he sees Jerome carrying a gun. They continue talking about the gang and how Jerome was stupid to hook up with them. Jerome tells Banner that he should go back where he came from, Banner replies that he can’t. He says that when he was a kid he made a mistake too, a big mistake… which he has been paying for since. He says that it’s probably to late for himself and that he’s all out of sermons. Jerome drops his gun on Banner’s bed and leaves through the window. Banner watches him leave and then starts his metronome ticking, before stopping it again.
Walking down the street, Banner comes across the gang that has been giving Jerome trouble. The gang leader again calls out to Banner calling him ‘Homer Simpson’ and asks him if he has a problem. Banner starts to continue walking, thinking about the woman he had imagined earlier and then his thoughts move on to Jerome. Turning back he confronts the gang members again and they start to come at him with their knives telling him that he’s going to get his ass kicked. Banner replies that they better make it quick.
61 miles out of Kansas City, Banner stands in clothes he took off the gang members and tries to hitch a ride. A semi stops and picks him up. The trucker notices the black eye that he has and asks him about, Banner tells him that he should see the other guy.
Back in St. Louis, in an alley the gang members that Banner contronted are stripped naked and wrapped up in refuse and metal pipes. The gang leader is trying to moan out the words help and his eyes turn toward a paper with a picture of Banner on it.



Incredible Hulk  Vol.3 #35
? ?

Cover:

Story: 

Credits: Bruce Jones (Writer)

Featured Characters: Hulk

Supporting Characters: Mister Blue (bts, over the internet)

Other Characters: Autistic girl, Autistic girl’s mother, Wanda (waitress at Wanda’s Diner & Rest Stop), Other unnamed patrons of the Diner, Three unnamed ‘men-in-black’, Juli Wang, news anchor (on television)

Comments: This issue is part of this month's "'Nuff said" silent issues from Marvel Comics

Synopsis:  Banner is waving goodbye to the trucker that has dropped him off at a restaurant called Wanda’s Diner & Rest Stop. A child watches at he walks in and sits down at a booth. Banner smiles at her as she continues to stare. He then looks up toward a TV that is on top of a pastry freezer and sees the news anchor, Juli Wang, talking about Ricky Myers and footage of coroners wheeling his dead body away. Walking in front of the TV, the waitress (Wanda) takes his order. The girl continues to stare at Banner. He notices and waves at her until realizing that she does not comprehend. Looking down on at the books on her table, Banner realizes that she is autistic. He then takes out his laptop and drinks some of his coffee, while sending Mister Blue a message. The autistic girl’s stare then turns outside to an all-black car pulling up.
Mister Blue replies to Banner that there is a possible storm headed in his detection, and to revise his ‘vacation plans.’ In effect telling him to get out of there. Outside, three men in black suits get out of the car and proceed to walk into the diner, walking past a mangy brown dog as they do so. The men sit down at the counter and order coffee, as the TV shows a picture of Bruce Banner. Banner then places money on the table and walks to the restroom. Watching him as he leaves, the men start to follow him. Walking into the restroom, the men realize that the window has been broken and Banner has escaped. The men then run out of the diner, guns in hand and into a field. Back in the restroom, Banner comes out of a small crawl space by the toilet. Exiting through the front, the autistic girl watches him as he walks by. Walking outside, Banner tosses a piece of food to the mangy dog and starts to walk into the field. Smiling, as he thinks he got away, he is suddenly struck in the arm by a tranquilizer dart. The men in black found him. Losing consciousness, he still sees the autistic girl's eyes staring at him as he blacks out.
In the black car, Banner drifts in and out of consciousness. He has been captured by the men-in-black and notices one of them talking to someone on the phone before losing his concept of reality. His dream-thoughts turn to the field that he was walking through when he was shot. He sees the autistic girl and the mangy dog from the diner. He follows them and ends up at a beach. The woman he was imagining earlier walks up and has Banner’s metranome in her hands. The autistic girl then points toward a yellow slug-like monster swimming up on shore. The little girl starts to push against it and Banner starts to also. Coming out of his drug-induced dream, Banner changes into the Hulk and smashes out of the car that is holding him and knocks his captors out in the process. Hulk looks around and sees that the men who held him captive are all unconscious and noticing Banner’s glasses, picks them up.
Banner is walking through a field again and is wearing one of the ‘men-in-black’s’ suits. Entering the diner, the autistic girl again sees him as he sits down at a booth. With her coat on the little girl stands up to leave with her mother as she accidentally drops her book. Banner picks it up and hands it to her mother. The autistic girl and her mother then continue to walk out as the little girl turns and smiles at him, to which Banner smiles back. After finishing his lunch, Banner walks out of the diner and gives the mangy dog some the fries that were in his doggie bag. He goes and stands on the side of the road and sticks his thumb out.

Incredible Hulk  Vol.3 #36
? ?

Cover:

Story: 

Credits: Bruce Jones (Writer)

Featured Characters: Hulk

Supporting Characters: Doc Samson, Sandra Verdugo

Villains: Jink Slater, Unnamed agents of Secret Conspiracy

Other Characters: Ricky Myers (as picture on TV), Jane Skinner, a reporter for Fox News, Prison warden, Prison guard, nnamed witness at Sandra Verdugo’s execution, Coroner and his attendant, Unnamed pickup truck driver, (on video screen) Mahmud Abbouthalima, Nosaiair (all Jihad), Eighteen unnamed DEA agents, Unnamed FBI agents, Chan Lai, world champion hapkido expert

Comments: Sandra Verdugo’s prison number was #21835. The reason for why she drew a picture of Ricky Myers will be revealed in the next few issues.

Synopsis: The time is 11:31 and a woman with the number #21835 is sitting in her cell drawing a picture. Her cell has many pictures up on the wall and also has a bookshelf and a television. On the television a news broadcast tells people in the Johnson, Hayes and Jackson counties to be on the lookout for Bruce Banner. And that they have footage on the Chicago incident with the Hulk that cost Ricky Myers his life. The woman continues to draw her picture, which turns out to be a picture of the little boy, Ricky Myers. The warden of the prison comes up to the bars of cell and calling her Sandra Verdugo, asks if she has any last requests. Not responding she drops the picture she was drawing, smiles and walks up to the bars, grabs the warden by the tie and kisses him on the lips. One of the prison guards pushes her back with a baton as she still smiling, says ‘Oh… did you mean MY wish, warden?’ The warden, wiping his mouth off, again asks if she requires anything. She makes an attempt at humor by asking if he had a key to her cell before a loud KARUNCH! emanates from the television in her room. She turns and looks at it, as the warden also stares at the television wide eyed… it is a picture of the Hulk smashing through a wall.
At a different location, Doc Samson is also watching the footage on the Hulk as his phone rings. He picks it up and they ask him if he is watching the footage. To which he responds yes. He goes on to say that he knows who they are and asks when the last time the Hulk killed anybody let alone a kid… He is interrupted mid-sentence and responds to what they said by saying “When? I’ll be there.”
(On a video screen) In Bogoata, Colombia, eighteen DEA agents are storming into a house, guns in hand. The footage then moves forward to show the same DEA agents all dead and smoking. They were all killed by a man named Slater. The footage again changes, this time to a group of three men making a pipe bomb. All are members of the Jihad… one a muslim named Mahmud Abbouthalima, the other an Egyptian immigrant named Nosaiair and a third… Slater. The images on the screen switch to the same place, except afterwards. Abbhouthalima and Nosaiair are both dead, in an explosion caused by the same device that they were making, the other one… Slater is not present.
Two shadowy figures are shown to be watching this footage. As they continue to talk about Slater, the footage on the screen turns to Colorado Mountains. Slater is being chased by FBI agents and jumps fifteen feet across a gap. Afterwards, he shoots the cameraman. One of the men watching the video is quite impressed by this display. The footage moves to Slater fighting the world champion hapkido expert, Chain Lai. Slater defeats him and moves on too breaking wooden boards with his fists. Finished watching, the two shadowy figures agree that Slater is the man for the job. One tells the other to get him a partner. The other says that it is impossible, because Slater only works solo. To which, the other man replies to present him a challenge.
Back at the prison, Sandra Verdugo is being led to the execution room. She is layed down a chair and strapped in. The warden gives the signal and she is given a lethal injection. The entire process taking less than a minute.
In his apartment Slater is talking to one of the shadowy men on a video screen. He is stating that he works solo, to which the man replies that they understand but they need assurance. Slater says they get assurance when they hire him. The man says that they will adjust his fee accordingly and Slater responds that it isn’t about the money. When the man asks him what he meant, Slater says he wouldn’t understand and shuts the video screen off, much to the shadowy man’s protest.
Banner is watching footage of the apparent demise of Ricky Myers caused by him. He rewinds and plays the tape numerous times. And, putting his hands over eyes, prays to god to tell him that he didn’t do that. Laying back on his bed he sees the image of rocks crushing Ricky Myers before turning his attention to his laptop. He has received another message from Mister Blue that warns of people coming after him.
Back at the prison, the deceased Sandra Verdugo is put into a body bag and placed on a gurney. The witnesses to the execution leave as the body is loaded onto the coroner’s truck. Speeding off the truck comes upon a rolled over car and a man motionlessly lying in the middle of the road. The driver quickly stops the truck and rushes to see if the man is all right. The ‘injured’ man then moves and place a gun on the driver’s head and fires, killing him.
Two cars meet within a covered bridge. One car contains Doc Samson and the other a man who wants to commission him to find Banner. Doc Samson tells him that he is a physicist and not a manhunter. The other man says that yes he is a physicist, but a physicist who can press six tons… plus he has tracked Banner in the past. Doc Samson tells the man he doesn’t hunt for money. The man replies that others will… and it is just a matter of who gets there first. Doc Samson says he wouldn’t bet on it, because Banner is always in control and can keep a cool head. The other man asks if Doc Samson would like to tell Ricky Myers’ mother that. Looking away, Doc Samson begins to play with his zippo lighter… the other man asks him if he wants a cigarette. Doc Samson says he quit and that the lighter is a reminder. The man then says that Samson has twenty-four hours to decide and that time is of the essence.
Back in his apartment, Slater is exercising and again talking to one of the shadowy men through a live video feed. The man says that they have agreed to double Slater’s fee, and Slater again tells him that it's not about the money. A knock on the door is heard and a woman comes in dropping off his breakfast. Slater tells her just to leave the tray while the shadowy men still continues to talk about how the mission requires ‘extra manpower’. The woman begins to pour Slater’s coffee and Slater gets mad telling her that he said he would do it and to leave. The woman replies that it won’t take long and Slater grabs her by the arm and tells her to ‘beat it, babe’. The woman starts to say that she’s sorry and then hits him over the back the friend stating that only her friends can call her babe. Slater realizes what is going on and kicks the women in the stomach saying that he works solo. The woman crashes through the bathroom door and lands in the shower. Slater, walking up to the demolished door to check on her gets kicked in the face as she lunges through it.
Making it to his bed, he grabs his gun out of his holster and has just enough time to get it up before he has a gun to his head. Slater and the woman both are pointed their guns at each other’s heads as the shadowy man on the screen tells them that they both have five days to complete their mission. And that whoever takes Banner out first gets a bonus. The screen then shuts off. Holstering their guns, Slater tells the woman (who turns out to be the revived Sandra Verdugo) that they will settle the fight later. Sandra tells him that it’s a date and then asks him if he wants cream or sugar in his coffee.
Banner is walking down the side of a dirt road when a man drives up and asks him if he needs a lift. Banner says yes and the man asks if Banner could drive as he has been driving all day. Banner says yes and walks around to the driver’s side, passing the driver on the way around. Banner suspiciously eyes the driver as he reaches into his jacket pocket, but he pulls out chewing tobacco and Banner smiles. The news on the truck’s radio states that the funeral for Ricky Myers is scheduled later today as the driver of the truck moves the conversation towards the kid. He asks Banner if he thinks they will catch him, Banner says eventually. The driver says that it won’t be too soon for him, because if he knew where the guy that killed Ricky was he’d kill him himself. As he has kids of his own. Banner then quiets down and continues to drive the truck.
At a motor inn, Sandra finishes off her shower and comes out wearing a towel. Slater says that everyone thinks Banner is going west and that is why he’ll go east. Sandra replies that Banner is chess buff and he will go west. Slater says that he doesn’t like it and Sandra states that he isn’t supposed to like it. Slater picks up a bottle and asks Sandra what it is. Excited, Sandra tries to grab the bottle from his hands… telling him not to screw around with it and to give it to her. Slater says he’ll give it back to her when she tells him what it is. Sandra goes on to say that tranquilizers failed against Hulk because sedatives attack the motor system. They worked fine on Banner, but not so good on the Hulk. Slater asks where she stole it from as Sandra grabs it from her hands… she says that it was a gift from a grateful south american employer. Slater says “Gee… I wonder what you paid for it?” as Sandra explains that the tablets inside the bottle attack the pineal gland. They will step up a person’s production of melatonin and one pill will knock out an elephant. Sandra says that the beauty is it that the pills work gradually. Reaching under his pillow Slater is searching for something, as Sandra pulls his knife out of his pants that are hanging on the wall and tosses it at him. It lands right above his head as Slater says he wondered where it went. Sandra asks if that was going to be his contribution to the mission and that she expected something less cliché and Slater says “like your little sleeping aids?” He then asks how she plans to get Banner to swallow the pills. She says by averting his attention at precisely the right moment, while she removes her towel and standing naked says that this is her contribution.

Incredible Hulk  Vol.3 #37
? ?

Cover:

Story: 

Credits: Bruce Jones (Writer)

Featured Characters: Hulk

Supporting Characters: Doc Samson, Sandra Verdugo

Villains: Jink Slater

Other Characters: Rick, Kevin, Randy Connors, Deputy Bob Murphy, of Clairton Police Department, (flashback) Thunderbolt Ross,Betty Banner

Synopsis: A young man is driving while watching the TV that is imbedded by his gearshift. The show is a KMHC news broadcaster talking about young Ricky Myer’s killer, Bruce Banner. They are just about to show an artist’s rendering of what he would look like now when the young man looks up. He is about to run over a man (Banner). Banner jumps out of the way as the young man quickly swerves to try and miss him. The young man jumps out his vehicle to check on Banner and asks him if he’s okay. Banner says that he is okay while the young man is helping him into his vehicle. The man offers to drive Banner to the hospital in Clairton or to the Sheriff’s Office, which is closer. Banner quickly says no and shuts off the man’s TV, which is showing the rendering of what he looks like.
Doc Samson crashes through a window and lands in a lab. Talking to himself he says that maybe this wasn’t such a good idea as there are lots of ‘ghosts here’. An article about the process that changed him is clipped out and posted to the wall. Grabbing two cables, he plugs them together and the computers and lights around him turn on. Behind him a young boy is hiding in the shadows…
Slater is shooting at a picture of Banner, while Sandra wearing only a towel walks up towards him asking him if isn’t a little early for target practice. Slater snidely asks if she is his partner or his wife while shooting another bullet in into the picture. Slater asks if she occasionally where’s something other than a towel, to which she replies that she has done some of her best work in a towel. Slater fires another bullet into the picture, again hitting it in the forehead area. Slater hands her the gun and says that if she hits dead center he will buy breakfast. Sandra curiously says that he is disarming himself and giving her a loaded gun, and he says, “what’s a relationship without trust?” Point the gun to his, Sandra asks him if he knows what she likes about him. Pointing the gun away from his head she pulls the trigger and there is a click… the gun was empty. She finishes her question from before and says that Slater is predictable and walks away. Slater smiles.
Banner is riding with the young man that almost hit him as the man is talking about how the Hulk would never kill a kid. Eating a burger, Banner asks if it is because the Hulk is part of Bruce Banner. The young man says yes and that Banner is part Hulk. Banner is the hulk. And Banner wouldn’t kill a kid either. He believes that there is a cover up. Banner asks who the people behind this conspiracy are and calls the man Rick. Rick says the cops as a patrol car drives up behind him. Banner wonders why they are following them, as they aren’t speeding. Rick says that it is Deputy Murphy and he doesn’t like Rick driving on the Cider Crick Bridge in his van because he thinks it is too heavy. Banner no sooner starts to say that maybe he is right when the bridge starts to give way beneath them….
Doc Samson has found the young boy that was hiding in the lab. He asks him if he is hiding from someone, to which the little kid replies Randy Connors. He wanted to beat the little boy up and then asks Doc Samson if he is the Hulk. Doc Samson asks if he looks like the Hulk… the kid says sort of but the Hulk is supposed to be in St. Louis and he is greener. Doc Samson says that he is not the Hulk and tells him his name, he then asks if him and Randy fight often. The young boy says kind of, Randy is bigger than him and asks if Doc Samson asks if he ever fought someone bigger than him. He says once or twice while remembering one of his battles with the Hulk. He then asks the young boy why he keeps fighting Randy if he keeps losing. The young boy says that Randy called him a coward and beat him up in front of his girlfriend and he bets that Doc Samson never had that happen. He tells the young boy that he’d be surprised while again remembering a battle with the Hulk. The boy then inquisitively asks if he is looking for something on the machines. Doc Samson says that he is looking for someone he used to know pretty well or more importantly his residue…
Slater and Sandra are driving in a car as he asks her what she meant by Banner’s residue. She says she meant his residue of electrons. The laptop she has is an advanced XL-7000 FBI model, it can read fingerprints. From whatever laptop Banner is using they can track him, they can’t find out what he’s sending or doing, but they can still track him. She goes on to say that as long as the light flashes green that means it is locked onto Banner. What if it stops flashing, Slater asks. Sandra replies that it won’t, the tracer can transmit through lead the only thing that it can’t transmit through is water. If it is in water then the green transmitter is turned red. Slater smiles as he turns the laptop to Sandra; the light has turned red.
Back at the bridge, the vehicle carrying Rick and Banner has crashed through the bridge. Banner is desperately trying to pull Rick out of the sinking vehicle's window as Deputy Murphy slides down the hill. He joins Banner in trying to free Rick from the wreckage… The creek begins to rise though as there must be a storm in the next county. Deputy Murphy says that they have to think of something---now! As Banner is looking at Rick he is remind of the young boy Ricky Myers. He turns to the Deputy and tells him that he has to get out of there. The Deputy begins to ask why as Banner yells at him—Now!
Doc Samson puts a sample of Banner’s blood in a Chemical Radar Gun. If Banner is within a fifty-mile radius the Radar Gun will find him. He turns back and talks to the boy, Kevin, telling him how he hasn’t been much help with his problem. Kevin looks out the window and sees Randy and his friends approaching and says here comes his beating. Doc Samson tells him that he had a friend who knew the Hulk personally. Kevin takes his eyes away from the window and stares with amazement at Doc Samson. Doc Samson goes on to say that the Hulk said that people always thought that he was a bully. And that always made him mad, because he wasn’t a bully… he just occasionally lost his temper… so instead of losing his temper he’d think of a clock or a pretty girl. Kevin asks him if this story is supposed to be helping his predicament out any. Doc Samson asks him what if he was to concentrate on the Hulk instead of Randy, to focus everything he has on the Hulk until he is the Hulk. Then let Randy take the first shot and then let him have it with all he’s got. Kevin crawls out the window and begins to walk up to Randy, all the time repeating to himself “I am the Hulk”. Doc Samson smiles as he hears this. Kevin continues to walk up to Randy still repeating his phrase and closes his eyes. Randy pushes him in the face and tells him to try fighting with his eyes open next time. Kevin, with nose bleeding, gets up and races toward Randy and punches him in the face… at the second he hits Randy in the face… Doc Samson punches the wall of the lab creating a thundering wham and knocking the kids off their feet. Kevin looks at his fist in astonishment, as Doc Samson smiles.
Still driving, Slater asks Sandra if she felt anything. She says yes, like a small quake. She tells Slater to check the richter reading and he says that according to the computer the quake came from behind them. Back at the bridge, Deputy Murphy is radioing in for aid and tells them of the situation. Halfway through his sentence he looks up and starts to run away as the vehicle that fell through the bridge lands on top of his police car. Sandra looks at her laptop and notices that the screen is flashing green again as Slater tells her to look out. Sandra swerves just in time to miss Deputy Murphy carrying the unconscious Rick. Slater and Sandra crash into the demolished cop car and are flung out of their car. Deputy Murphy rushes up to the car asking Sandra if she is all right, she says yes as the Deputy puts Rick in the car and drives away to get Rick to the hospital. She yells after him and asks him what he is doing until she notices Slater holding his stomach in pain. With a devious look on her face and her gun behind her back, Sandra approaches him. Right before she can do anything, Slater quickly turns around and places his gun to her forehead and tells her not to think about. She walks away and Slater begins to mock her mimicking her earlier words saying, “”Let Me Lead,” she says… “Go west, “ she says”. Sandra angrily tells him to shut up as she picks up and notices the green light flashing on her laptop once again. She looks across the bridge and sees Banner putting on new clothes and begins to walk off into the distance.

Incredible Hulk  Vol.3 #38
? ?

Cover:

Story: 

Credits: Bruce Jones (Writer)

Featured Characters: Hulk

Supporting Characters: Doc Samson, Mister Blue (bts, on internet), Sandra Verdugo

Villains: Jink Slater, Unnamed agents of Secret Conspiracy

Other Characters: Deputy Bob Murphy, of Clairton Police Department,Taylor, of Clairton Police Department

Synopsis: Slater and Sandra are standing by a bridge, while Slater is asking Sandra if she has any more bright ideas. As a car drives up, she tells him that their job was to locate Banner and as for their car, here comes another one. Slater asks “and food?” Sandra tells him one thing at a time, as the people that drove up run to ask what happened there and if they are all right. Sandra with her hand on her gun behind her back says they are and compliments the woman on her tube top and asks her what her size is. Later on, Slater and Sandra are driving in the car they stole from the man and woman.. Sandra is wearing the woman’s clothes and Slater is wearing the man’s. Slater is looking at the laptop and tells her to turn left, but she turns right instead. Slater yells at her and asks her what she’s doing; they should be going after Banner because he is all alone. She tells him that Banner is never alone and that there is a diner up the road. And that Banner will walk right to it… Slater asks what if he doesn’t; Sandra says that he will because he is hot and tired, just like them. Banner will stop for a drink and six hours later he will be in a deep untroubled sleep and that is when they will move.
A little while later, Slater and Sandra are sitting at a diner when Banner walks in. Sandra tells Slater not to look up and to just pretend that he is happy to be married to her. Banner sits down as a waitress comes up and takes his order; he orders an ice tea. Slater is fingering his gun saying that there isn’t many people in the diner and maybe the should… before he can finish his sentence, Sandra cuts him off telling him to stick to the plan and put away the gun and try to act like a professional.
Back at the bridge Deputy Murphy and his partner Taylor arrive in a police car. Deputy Murphy wonders where the guy who freed Rick from the creek went and where the couple whose car he borrowed are. Noticing the man that Slater killed he checks his pulse and wonders who he is, as Taylor calls to him. Walking over to Taylor, he finds that the dead body of the woman that Sandra killed. Scratching his head, Deputy Murphy wonders “What the ding-dong blazes happened out here?”
Sandra asks Slater how she looks, to which he replies easy. She stands up pulls her shirt out a little ands says good and that this should be simple. She walks over to Banner and tells him that she lost her purse and that she would kill for a cold drink. Before he can answer, she calls him a lifesaver and asks him what his name is… he says Bruce Smith and asks what he can get her. Sandra says that she could kill for a coke and Banner turns his head and calls on the waitress. As his head is turned, Sandra reaches into her bra and grabs the sleeping pills hidden within her bra, opens up them and dumps them into Banner’s ice tea.
Deputy Murphy is telling Taylor to search around the bodies to see if they can find any ID on them. Suddenly the dead man’s hand reaches up and grabs him by the throat. Taylor is looking at the wreckage and tells the Deputy that he can’t see anything, when Murphy doesn’t reply he turns to see what’s going on… instead he sees the dead girl standing. With blood seeping out of the bullet hole in her forehead, he asks her if she is okay, to which she replies fine.
The waitress brings Sandra her coke and asks her and Banner if they are ready to order. Banner orders a cheeseburger and fries and Sandra says that she’s good. As he’s about to drink from his glass of iced tea when he receives a message from Mister Blue. Banner excuses himself for a second as he reads the message. Mister Blue tells him that his present location is unhealthy and would suggest that he vacate it.
At “Home Base”, a shadowy man is talking to the newly revived dead man and woman who are now driving in a police car and wearing the policemen’s clothing. The undead woman tells him that their quarry is having iced tea in Roadside Café. The shadowy man asks about agents Sandra and Slater. She tells him that they are with the quarry and what his instructions are. He tells them to keep an eye on them, as he is interested in Slater’s next move. The undead woman wipes the blood off her face as she says, “Message received. Out.” Behind them are the naked bodies of Deputy Bob Murphy and Deputy Taylor.
Sandra says “Business?” as Banner is closing his laptop. Banner apologizes and asks what they were talking about. Sandra says they were toasting the weather. Banner again puts the straw to his mouth and almost takes a drink, when a hand is put on his shoulder. It is a red haired, bearded built man wearing shades, a hat and NY Jets shirt. He asks if Banner objects to him having a dance with Sandra. Banner asks Sandra if she knows him and the man answers for her... saying of course she does. She begins to protest, when he asks her if she can’t recognize an old flame. He then tells her to go play a song on the jukebox for them unless Banner has an objection. They both look at Banner and after a moment of silence he says no. While Sandra is picking a song on the jukebox, the man asks Banner if he is just going ‘to sit there like a blob and do nothing’ and that he is ‘Not the Banner I used to know,’ as he pulls down his shades. Banner realizes that the red-haired man is Doc Samson.
The undead man and woman arrive at the café and, after parking the car, walk towards it. Inside Doc Samson tells Banner that his hair is dyed and his beard is a fake. Banner says that he can see that but asks why. Doc Samson explains that the woman that was sitting with Banner used to be a Special Forces agent named Sandra Verdugo and was executed last week for killing her child. Doc Samson then says “Pretty foxy for a dead woman, yes?” He then tells Banner that the man pretending not to notice them is Jink Slater, Sandra’s partner, and that they are both after him. Warm or cold. Banner asks him how he knows this, and he replies that the people that they work for hired him to do the same job… at least he thinks it was them. Banner asks who THEM would be… and Doc Samson says that he is still working on that. The undead man and woman then enter the café and sit down at a table a little way from Slater. Banner asks Doc Samson if he is going to kill him or bring him in. He says that the laptop Slater has already probably figured him out and that the "officers’'" uniforms don’t fit very well… even for rural cops. Banner asks him what he is implying. Doc Samson tells him that, short of a miracle, nothing is going to let either of them leave the diner alive.
Sandra tells Slater that there has been a change of tactics and Slater asks her what she means. She tells him that the guy under the glasses is Doc Samson and Banner isn’t drinking her drugged drink. Slater says terrific and that the cops that just walked in are the ones that they just killed. He says that a lot of people at the café aren’t what they appear to be. Pointing his gun at her from underneath the table he asks her if that includes her. At Home Base a shadowy man tells the other one that he warned him about Slater. The other says that Slater and Sandra are moot and that it is Banner’s reactions that they are interested in right now. Banner asks Doc Samson since when is he afraid of “norms” and that unless they have an atom bomb in their backpack they have a tall order in front of them. Doc Samson tells him that what they’ve got is ten times worse. Banner asks him what the plan is and Doc Samson tells him that he kept his temper admirably during his struggle with Sandra and can he lose it just as easily. Banner tells him that it doesn’t work like that, he can’t just turn it on and off without a reason. Doc Samson tells him “Then let’s give it one…” as he slaps him across the face. Bleeding from his nose, Banner looks shocked as Doc Samson again slaps him across the face, knocking his glasses off.
Slater realizes what Doc Samson is doing and draws his gun, Sandra tells him to sit down because he’ll mess up the plan. Slater tells him that her plan is dead and it is time for his plan as he shoots her in the forehead. Slater than points his gun at Doc Samson and tells him not to move. The undead man and woman then point their guns at Slater and tell him not to move. Doc Samson then tells Banner, who is bleeding on the floor, that is the moment of truth. As Banner’s eyes begin to turn green... he then turns into the Hulk and smashes through the floor. He turns around and punches Doc Samson clear out of the café and into a forest. Landing hard and obviously injured Doc Samson says, “Give ‘em hell, Bruce.” Slater opens fire upon the Hulk and the Hulk throws the jukebox at him knocking him out the window of the café. He then grabs the undead man and woman… The shadowy men at Home Base have just lost their feed… and one of them says that the cameras were too hastily erected…
Doc Samson gets up and starts to walk back to the café as he notices a laptop on the ground. He picks it up and reads the message that was just sent to him by Mister Blue. He is then knocked out by a hit across the head with a fence post. And Sandra, holding the post bleeding from the bullet hole in her forehead, picks up the laptop.

Incredible Hulk  Vol.3 #39
? ?

Cover:

Story: 

Credits: Bruce Jones (Writer)

Featured Characters: Hulk

Supporting Characters: Sandra Verdugo

Villains: Jink Slater, Geeson (of Secret Conspiracy; mentioned), Coleson McIntire, Pitman (all of Home Base)

Other Characters: Deputy Bob Murphy, of Clairton Police Department,Taylor, of Clairton Police Department

Comments: Part of this comic is a parody/tribute to The Monster Of Frankenstein. The media story that was made up was that Ricky Myers was killed when Hulk destroyed a building in Chicago. The hand reaching out of the grave at the end of this story is later revealed to be that of Sandra Verdugo.

Synopsis: (dream state) The Hulk is walking through a forest when he comes through a cleaning. He sees a young boy sitting by a river holding some dandelions. The young boy says his name is Ricky and asks if he is a friend of his mothers. Ricky tells Hulk that his mothers isn’t home right now and asks if he wants to play. Ricky says he can make a boat as he throws the head of one of the dandelions into the water and it floats in the water. Hulk, smiling, throws his dandelions in the water too, but then he looks into his hands and realizes he has no more dandelions. He instead picks up the boy and tosses him into the air. (end dream state)
Slater is slowly walking away from his SUV as he spots Hulk’s energy signature on the laptop. He finds a huge footprint imbedded in the mud and radios in to Home Base, telling them that he has picked up the Hulk’s trail again. He tells them not to interfere and that he is in control now and he will take out the subject alone. The Hulk is walking through a forest when he comes to a cabin with lights on inside of it. He walks up to it and peers through the window, he sees a robed figure drawing on a pad of paper. Hulk smashes through the door and the hooded figure says “Come in, friend. You’re welcome.” He stands up and tells the Hulk to stay a while, rest and have something to eat. Getting a bowl, the hooded figure pours Hulk a bowl of soup and Hulk drinks it. Slater is still tracking the Hulk when he comes across a river. He sees what appears to be a body floating in the river. He uses a branch to drag it towards him and lifts it out to reveal that it is only a piece of driftwood.
While the Hulk finishes off his soup, the hooded figure asks him if he feels better. The hooded figure says “good” and that he wants him to relax, he tells him to watch the metronome that he has just placed in front of him. Pulling that hood from around her head, the hooded figure is revealed as Sandra Verdugo! She walks up to him and tells Hulk that he only hears the gentle sea … the image of the sea behind her appears as she looks exactly like the woman he had dreamed about during his yoga sessions the days before. Sandra asks him if he is awake now and he says yes. Then she asks his name, to which he replies Banner… Bruce Banner. Slater is looking off into the distance using a pair of binoculars when he hears a twig snap behind him. Quickly turning around and drawing his gun, he sees a man dressed all in black. The man, who calls himself McIntire, tells Slater to hold on and that they are on the same team, he’s from Home Base. Slater tells McIntire that he radioed in that he was going to take the subject alone. McIntire tells him that he’s not there to get in his way, he’s just one more guy doing his job, as he fidgets with his lighter… trying to light his cigarette. Slater says that he is there checking up on him, to which McIntire replies not to get paranoid. That it’s standard procedure “Old Man”, somebody to keep him company since he split with Verdugo. Slater asks him if he’s alone, while he is still fidgeting with his lighter cursing at the fact that it is a company lighter and a gift. Slater says “occupational hazard, old man” and shoots him. Back at the cabin, Banner tells Sandra that she is the woman from the diner, the one that Doc Samson warned him about. He asks how she knew about his meditation techniques. She says that she knows EVERYTHING about him, that is an assassin’s job. Banner then asks where her partner is, she says that he is probably closer than either of them wants while pouring him a drink. She tells Banner to relax that it is just scotch. Banner asks if hit has the same stuff in it that she put in his iced tea at the café. She says that she had no guarantee that he would drink that, so she slipped him something before hand, in the form of a spiked ring. When they shook hands right before they sat down. It wasn’t enough to knock him out, she says, just enough to make him walk in his sleep… making him easier to track. Banner says that the drugs gave him nightmares, he says that he dreamt that he drowned a little boy in the woods. She tells him that it his “subconscious masquerading as a horror movie” as she grabs the pad she was drawing on. She asks him if the boy in his dreams looked like this as she shows him the picture. Banner says yes, Ricky Myers… the kid who died in the Chicago building collapse… how did she know. Solemnly, she replies that Ricky is her son.
Slater is going through the pockets of McIntire as he comes across an envelope with the words your eyes only” marked on it. He looks shocked at what he seeing, when he spots a glint of something shiny coming from McIntire’s pocket. He pulls it out and says “what the hell…?”
Sandra tells Banner that she is what they used to call a soldier of fortune. Her fee is high; her national allegiance is indifferent. She’ll work for anyone and any country if the price is right. She says that she is considered invaluable in “certain circles.” She says a year ago she was accused of murdering her own son and to nevermind why or how. She was sentenced in a record trial and put on death row. She thought that was the end of it… until she was approached in her cell by a man named Geeson. He had a proposition for her, his employer needed an expert tracker. She says they were tracking some very big, very dangerous game. Banner replies “the Hulk.” And she confirms it adding in return for her life and that of her “dead” son.
He asks if she escaped and she says no, that she was executed. Her body was intercepted en route to the morgue and she awoke in an empty room, seated before a TV camera. Two voices from an overhead speaker told her was time for her to fulfill her part of the bargain…
Slater is in the sights of a gun while he is looking at the silver piece he took off of McIntire. The man who is sighting him fires and Slater is apparently hit. He walks up and takes the silver piece off of Slater and Slater turns around and shoots him in the head.Banner asks who the people are that want him so bad and where are they from. Sandra says she has no idea and all she wants is her child back. Banner pours himself another glass of vodka while saying, “Which you get—as soon as you deliver me.” He tells her that this miracle of resurrection is hard to swallow. She tells him that he saw Slater shoot her and that he can see the bullet hole in her head. She asks if she looks dead. To which Banner replies “Frankly…”. Sandra interjects and says “Okay, but do I sound dead?” She tells him that they mean to have him whether she does the job or not. Banner asks what it is exactly they want from him. She says they don’t want anything from him but from the Hulk. She says that she’s been able to piece together scraps of it. But if they can bring people back to life, she’d rather not contemplate what their plans for the Hulk are. Banner asks if she’s seen their operation. Sandra says that she’s seen only the “Dark Room”. She was taken blindfolded from their headquarters and put together with Slater. They were part of an elite team, hired to hunt him down. Neither of them was told the location of Home Base. She says that the first night she was out, she was unpacking in the motel and found a “surprise” among her underthings… while showing Banner a disc. Banner notices it and asks who put it there. She says she has no idea but it took her over seventy hours to decipher the encryption.
Slater is rummaging through the clothes of the man he just shot. Where he comes across another envelope and another silver piece. With his head bleeding he says “You’ve gotta be kidding me…”
Sandra puts a disc in Banner’s laptop while she tells him that she had the newest FBI training laptop to track him with, but Slater has it now. She says that they’ll just have to hope that Banner’s laptop is up to the task. She says that there is just one problem before she begins… Banner asks what and she tells him that Slater’s laptop is keyed to the disc. She says that if she’s able to bring the disc up whatever they see Slater will see. And it will double Slater’s ability to track them. Banner tells her to do it that he can handle Slater. She tells him that she admires his confidence even if it is misplaced. Slater is the best killer in the business… next to her. She then opens the disc.
Slater is looking at the two pieces he took off of the dead agents. He then opens his laptop and sees the file opening. He says “Eureka” as the laptop says that it has a location fix established--- area photo to follow… it then shows a picture of the cabin.
Banner and Sandra are looking a file with the picture of one of the men (McIntire) that Slater killed on it, with the silver piece next to his headshot. She tells him that is Coleson… one of the agents that were working for the same people that hired her. She brings up another file with the picture of the other man that Slater killed. His name is Pitman and he is another top agent. She tells Banner that they are close… very close. Banner asks what the funny-looking chrome objects next to them are. She tells him that is their newest weapon. One SO DEADLY, SO SECRET, it couldn’t be entrusted to a single agent… So they made it in separate pieces, placed one part with each of their top agents. She then tells him to watch the screen… the pieces merge and become a gun. Banner asks what it does… she replies that it kills Hulk or so she would imagines… or drops them in their tracks anyway. Banner says that makes her and Slater obsolete. She replies that they were both obsolete from the beginning, it was always about whom could get to Banner first. Slater and her were just added insurance. They lied to them, the same way the lied to the media with the faked footage of Ricky Myer’s death in Chicago. Sandra then points her gun at Banner and tells him that he is going to help her get her son back. That maybe they are keeping him at home base. Maybe he’s being kept elsewhere… but once they have the Hulk her son will become disposable, and she won’t let that happen. Banner says, “So I’m the ransom. Ricky for the Hulk. That the story?” She says not quite while still pointing her gun at him. She says that eight years ago when she was running guns for a small argentine faction she met an american businessman during the rebellion. They had an affair and the result was Ricky. The rebellion was put down in three weeks. She left Argentina before her first trimester. She never told the father about Ricky… and she hadn’t seen him since yesterday. Banner says “Doc Samson.” Banner tells her that Doc Samson was hired by her outfit to track him… that he told him himself at the diner before he… He continues to tell her that Samson is not a fool and he can’t believe that he’d have a son running around somewhere and not know about it. Banner asks her how he knows that she’s not lying… playing on his guilt? Slater then walks in saying “So many questions… so little time” as Sandra and Banner turn and face him. Slater says that he would have given Sandra more credit but after she let him hone in on them so easy… he guesses that Home Base missed a few dead brain cells. He says that the first rule of the hunt is to always have a back up plan and asks her where she left hers. Sandra tells him that in the basement of the cabin is twenty pounds of plastique explosive. Should she press the detonator now? Or would he like a last cigarette? Slater, still pointing his gun at her, says that she’s bluffing because Banner would die in the blast along with them. She says “Banner maybe…” and moves to hit the detonator on the laptop when Slater shoots and hits her through the shoulder. Slater asks Banner if that got his heart racing and tells him to let the “big boy” loose because he has a present for him. Banner just tells him “No.” Slater holding the ‘secret weapon’ says that the gun only works on the Hulk it would rip a little squirt like him apart and they wouldn’t want that… Pointing his other gun at Sandra he says that the funny thing about THIS gun… and then pulls the trigger… it misfires… and Sandra takes the time to press the detonator telling him “Misfire, Slater. You Lose!” Slater’s eyes bulge as he realizes that she hit the button. As the alarm sounds she turns to Banner and tells him to find her son. Banner’s eyes are now full of anger as the cabin explodes…
The sun is setting as Banner finishes digging two graves. He looks back shortly and then walks away. After he is out of sight a hand from one of the graves reaches out…

Incredible Hulk  Vol.3 #40
? ?

Cover:

Story: 

Credits: Bruce Jones (Writer)

Featured Characters: Hulk

Supporting Characters: Sandra Verdugo

Villains: Several unnamed bank robbers, Johnson, Special Agent Pratt (both of Secret Conspiracy)

Other Characters: Sally Riker, of Miser County Police Department, Jerry Danvers, Gleason, Sarah (all of Miser County Police Department), Several unnamed office employees, Several unnamed Ready Mart hostages, Several unnamed police officers, Harry, the gunman, Several unnamed “FBI” agents, (flashback) Several unnamed SWAT team members, Several unnamed bank hostages

Comments: Banner uses the alias Mister Smith in this issue. Special Agent Pratt and his men, as revealed in next issue, are NOT FBI agents but agents of the Secret Conspiracy.

Synopsis: In a trailer a red-haired woman who is dressed in a police uniform is staring into the mirror. A newspaper clipping that reads “Denver Swat Negotiator Resigns. Blamed For Deaths In Bank Hostage Bungle” is hanging beside the mirror.
In an office building a man reads a newspaper about tech stocks at an all-time low. He reaches into his drawer and pulls out a bottle of alcohol. Drinking the last of it he gets up and walks towards the window. While his co-workers continue to do their work.
Banner is waving goodbye to a departing logging trailer. He walks past a sign that reads “Welcome To MiserY Colorado”… the Y is spray painted on with red spray paint.
Back at the woman’s trailer, she grabs a bottle of pills from the medicine cabinet. She empties the entire contents of the bottle into her hands and stares at them.
At the office, the man is rubbing his eyes while he is handed a letter by the courier. He opens it to find out that he has been fired. Sinking down in his chair for a moment, he reaches over and opens his drawer… in which is a gun.
Banner walks into Ready Mart and pours himself a cup of coffee. While he is picking up some food, he hears a man holding up the clerk. The man turns out to be the same one from the office building and tells Banner to come out where he can see him. Banner walks up to him as the man tells him to put his hands up. Just then, a policeman enters the store but the man is quick enough to turn around shoot him before he the cop can get his gun up. The man tells the customers of the store that the next person that moves gets the same, and for no one to act stupid and just stay cool…
As he says this, Banner imagines himself turning into the Hulk. He imagines grabbing the man by the head and then grabbing him by the arms… the man’s gun goes off, however and ends up shooting a young woman.
Back in reality, the man asks Banner if he is deaf as he told him to stay back. Banner not replying just stays where he is, while the officer calls for back up and tells them that he has been shot. The robber graves a young girl and places a gun to her head. He tells the clerk to put all the register cash in a bag… now! Banner, trying to stay calm pictures the young woman in a bikini as he has before.
The police woman is lying on her bed motionless as her phone begins to ring. Slowly moving her arm up she answers it and gives a groggy `…yeah…`Her mood quickly changes as she is informed of the goings-on at Ready Mart. She tells the person on the phone to give her ten minutes as she grabs her Miser County Police Jacket and runs out the door. In the sink are the pills that she had in her hand…
The robber places his attache case and tells the clerk to put the money in it and make it quick. Banner pleads with the man telling him not to do this. The robber, turning to Banner asks if this is his day to be a hero. He places his gun to Banner’s head and asks him if he’s thinking about it… isn’t he? Then he asks what's going on with Banner’s eyes…Banner replies that nothing is going on and that they should just stay frosty and nobody will get hurt.
Outside the Ready Mart several police cars have surrounded the store and an Action 7 News helicopter is in the sky. One of the policemen begins to shout at the Ready Mart through a megaphone telling the robber to come out with his hands in the air because he is completely surrounded. At that moment, the woman police officer arrives and asks another police offer, Jerry, if there is anyone else down in Ready Mart besides the foot cop. Jerry says that he can’t tell because the perp won’t talk. The woman tells the man with the megaphone whose name is Gleason to give the “party phone” to her. He tells her that he thought she was retiring. She says not until the new negotiator gets there. He asks her mocking if she is sure that she can handle it. Yelling at him and making him spill his coffee and donut…she tells him to tell his men to stand down and put away their guns. She begins to talk to a dispatcher on the phone by the name of Sarah… she tells Sarah that she is Sally Riker and to patch her into the Ready Mart counter phone.
Inside the Ready Mart, the counter phone rings and the gunman tells Banner to answer it. Banner picks it up and says “Yes?”, Sally asks if he is the one with gun, to which Banner replies “No.” She then asks him if he is an employee… a customer? Banner says yes and she asks him his name. He says it is Smith. She tells that she is Lieutenant Sally Riker and tells him to let her speak to the “gentleman with the gun.” Banner holding the phone out to the gunman, tells him that they want to speak to him. The gunman tells Banner to tell them to vacate in five minutes or he will start killing hostages. Sally tells Banner that she heard him and tells Banner (calling him Mr. Smith) to listen carefully because she may be able to use him a liasion. She tells him that if at any time he should need to communicate trouble to her without the perp’s knowledge to use the phrase “everything’s cool”. She then tells him to say “That’s right” if he understands. Banner says”that's Right.” Sally says good and to tell the gunman that she has to speak with her superiors before meeting any demands. She also says to tell him that they want to cooperate and she will be back in one minute.
Gleason is looking on as Jerry and Sally are looking at a map of the store. Gleason tells his partner that checking a store map with the rookie, Jerry Danvers won’t help. His partner asks if she was the one that blew the bank heist negotiation awhile back and got some civilians killed. Gleason says that if she blows this one they will hang her by her high heels. Sally’s radio sounds and she picks it up… Banner tells her that the gunman is demanding an answer. Sally begins to say “Tell him--- “ as she stares at her fellow police officers looking on…
(flashback) Several masked men are firing guns inside the Kennebec Federal Reserve Bank as Sally, holding a megaphone, looks on shocked. She sees many civilians getting hit with bullets and falling down…
(present) “Lieutenant Riker?” Banner asks still waiting for the rest of her answer. She then finishes her sentence, she says to tell the gunman that they are close and they just need another minute. The gunman, still holding his gun to the young woman’s head, cocks the barrel in response. Banner tells Sally that he doesn’t think that response is satisfactory. Sally tells him that they would like to trade the wounded cop for the gunman’s demands… She says to wait a second as several all-black cars approach. A black man wearing all black steps out of one of the cars with two others behind him. The man tells Sally to excuse him as she is questioning him on who he is. He responds that he is Special Agent Pratt of the FBI and that they will take it from there. Sally begins to protest but is held back by Pratt’s fellow agents… Pratt then begins talking with Banner, asking him if he is the civilian liasion. Banner tells him yes. Pratt then says “Good Afternoon, Mister Banner.” Startled, Banner asks, “Who… is this?” The gunman gets angry and points his gun to Banner’s head asking him what’s going on and asks who those guys are. He yells at Banner to answer him, and Banner tells him that the say they are FBI. The gunman says why the feds, as it is not federal jurisdiction… it is just a damn convenience store.
Sally is telling Pratt to listen to her; he can’t just switch negotiators in midstream. She had a rapport building… a trust. Looking at her smugly, Pratt says her name and says that the local consensus is that she isn’t too successful in the trust department. Staring angrily at him, she then says that she would at least appreciate the opportunity to make the transfer of authority herself… Looking slightly angry, Pratt hands her the radio and she tells him and his men that she would like some privacy… if that’s within reason. Pratt and his men slowly walk away as Sally talks to Banner and tells him that she is afraid that the FBI is taking over from there. She says that she is sorry and that is wasn’t her doing. Not getting an answer she calls out to Banner again… Banner says that it is confirmed. Sally tells him good luck and responds Banner telling her “Everything’s Cool” as the line goes dead…
Realizing that Banner and the other civilians inside the store are in danger, she desperately tries to get him to talk again… but Pratt tells her that he is sorry but he has changed the frequencies. Standard procedure. Jerry asks Sally what is going on and she tells him that she is not sure but it is more than meets the eye.