After encountering a belligerent bigot in a nightclub, Beast dwells on his insecurities and encounters a mysterious, haggard man who seems to embody his self-doubts. A lightning bolt obliterates the empath, and Beast spends days reflecting on the meaning of his vision. He confides in his date, who lures him into a trap set by the Manipulator. Seeking to impress a group of crime lords, Manipulator tricks the captive Beast into blasting himself with a memory cell stimulator, making the Avenger susceptible to mind control. Seeing Beast behaving as Manipulator’s puppet, the criminals pay the villain for the stimulator, but Manipulator immobilizes them and hands them over to two government agents. Manipulator leaves with the money and the agents call the police to retrieve the crime lords. Beast regains his senses and leaves, infused with well-being. The haggard empath returns and approaches the agents.