Steven Banner was a mortal, the son of Edward Banner, an American diplomat in Paris. He was spoiled, jaded, and a drug addict. When he stole his father's consulate issue car, he became the target of Willie Kingsley's con job, and ran the Immortal down, temporarily killing him. A mention of police by Willie's wife and partner, Molly, did not encourage him to pay hush money as was the plan, but instead he instantly looked for a way out with the least inconvenience to himself.