[ WP ] A regular person refuses to become a superhero because ... .. ?

George was a New York cab driver. Able to pick up a potential customer ’ s signal among a hectic crowd of hundreds, he was unphased when the man appeared so suddenly next to his car -- seemingly out of nowhere -- and waved to get his attention. 
 
 Slowing the car to a stop, he observed the man. He was dressed in a metallic silver body suit, accented by glowing blue rings circling his arms and legs. George had seen stranger, but he did find it unusual how the man looked at him, as if he was undergoing an examination of sorts. Still, the man wouldn ’ t open the door to his cab, and George, getting impatient, decided to do so himself. 
 
 “ Come on, I don ’ t have all day, you gon na get in or what? ” 
 
 The man responded, in a strained, rigid accent George could not pinpoint. 
 
 “ What is this creature you control? 
 
 “ Is this a joke? It ’ s a taxi. ” 
 
 A look of approval appeared to flicker across the strange man ’ s face, and he entered the car and sat down. 
 
 “ So where are you going? ” 
 
 The man looked at George as if he hadn ’ t heard him. 
 
 “ Taximan, it is your lucky day, for I am Lightman, able to move unseen at a speed as fast as light. With the injuries I have sustained from a war on my home planet, I will not be able to live much longer... unless I can pass my powers on to someone like you! Do you accept? ” 
 
 “ You ’ ve got to be kidding me, is this another one of those stupid scams? A prank? Am I on video right now? ” 
 
 “ I can assure you this is no joke, Taximan. ” 
 
 “ Listen, I appreciate the effort really. You ’ ve made my day, but go promote your movie, or whatever this is, somewhere else. ” 
 
 “ Seriously, I need you to accept, there ’ s not much time. If you don ’ t take these powers I ’ ll disintegrate into nothing more than light particles! Please! ” 
 
 “ I ’ ll let you off here, and my name is George for god ’ s sake. Now get out of my cab. ” 
 
 Lightman reluctantly exited the taxi, preparing to confront what he knew was his rapidly approaching fate. 
 
 George pulled away from the curb of his strange encounter, checking his rear view mirror to get one last glance at “ Lightman. ” But where Lightman had stood seconds before, he could only see a bright flash of light dispersing throughout the street. Tourists and passersby stood entranced by the brilliant spectacle, which was followed by shimmering particles of golden dust falling to the ground like snow. 
 
 George sighed, “ This city gets crazier and crazier everyday. ” 
 
 Turning right onto the next street, he decided to head towards Times Square. The tourists there were always giddy customers, but at least they weren ’ t delusional.
