June 4, 1943 - Brooklyn, New York City
"Sometimes I think you enjoy getting your teeth knocked in, Steve," Bucky said as he helped Steve to his feet.
Tommy glanced at the blood trickling from Steve's split lip as he wiped it away with the back of his hand. He could tell that Steve was in pain. Yet, despite the bruises, Steve flashed a crooked smile, replying, "I was about to fight back, Bucky. Just waiting for the right moment."
Tommy quietly observed Steve before his gaze shifted to the dirty pavement. He noticed familiar papers that one would get from the military recruitment center. He watched as Bucky bent down and picked them up.
Seeing Steve immediately try to take them out of Bucky's hands, Tommy knew they were the scrawny guy's as he heard Bucky ask, "How many times has it been now?"
"And you're from Paramus now? You do realize lying to get enlisted is illegal, don't you?" Bucky furrowed his eyebrows at the details on the paper and asked, "Seriously, New Jersey?"
Steve patted the dust off his sleeves and glanced at the insignia on Bucky's uniform. The scrawny guy noticed the iconic insignia right off Bucky's shoulder and asked, "You got a promotion?"
"Infantry 107, Sergeant James Barnes." Bucky flashed a smile. "Though I just made my return, I'll be deployed back to England in a few days."
Steve went quiet after that. Tommy didn't know why, but the scrawny guy seemed to feel pressured by the news. 'A scrawny guy, yet so eager to get enlisted.'
"Who the hell lies to get into this mess?" John was surprised. "You must've lost your marbles, man. If it were me, I'd be lying to stay out of the war. You've got to be cracked to want in."
"Yeah, well, I happen to know at least one other madman who'd throw himself at the front line without blinking." Tommy heard Bucky's comment ringing in his ears as he quietly picked up another cigarette and let the boys talk. He could feel Arthur and Bucky looking at him silently after the comment, as Bucky continued, "Now that I think about it, I think you both are quite similar in a way."
"Don't let his size fool you," Bucky said. "This skinny guy's been tryin' every trick in the book to enlist. He's itching to get to the front line."
Tommy could see John raising his eyebrows at Steve. He knew the majority of men would rather stay out of wars. Unfortunately for them, it was mandatory. They had no other choice but to swallow their fear and fight.
An oddity like Steve was quite a rare sight. It's either they were out of their minds or desperate to prove something. Either way, Tommy didn't care. It wasn't his problem.
As he lit up another cigarette before taking a long drag, once again the familiar taste of tobacco filled his nostrils, making him relaxed. Tommy looked at Steve's scrawny figure and thought, "This one's definitely out of his mind."
"Hand me one, Tommy."
Tommy looked at Arthur. The guy seemed to be in a sour mood, but he could tell it was a lot better than before as he curled his lips, "This is my last one, Arthur. Get it from John. Not Chesterfield, but you don't care anyway."
"Bloody hell, again?"
Arthur's grumble echoed through the small alleyway as his lips curled up even wider. He had lied. Tommy still had some in his pack. He was just messing with Arthur as he watched the former sergeant go to John to get a cigarette.
"That so?" John said. He gave Arthur the cigarette before approaching Steve. "You're a rare breed, man. Most of us would rather be anywhere but the front."
John reached out for a handshake and said, "Name's John."
"Steve," the scrawny man replied, shaking John's hand.
Steve turned to look at Arthur, who leaned against the wall, lighting up a cigarette. Tommy thought Steve could feel Arthur's sour mood as he said, "That grumpy sod over there is Arthur."
Tommy sensed Steve's surprise at his words. He looked at Steve, who had now turned to him, and asked, "Tell me, Steve."
"Yes, Colonel!"
"No need for all that," Tommy chuckled, seeing Steve straighten his back like a soldier would in front of a superior. He shook his head, "I'm off duty. Just call me by name."
"Understood..." Steve responded hesitantly. The scrawny guy looked at Bucky, who immediately nodded at him in response, before murmuring, "...Thomas."
'Thomas, hmm,' Tommy thought. There weren't many who called him Thomas, as everyone called him Tommy. There was one, but he was long gone. 'That reminds me of my pops.'
"A lot of men... they hate pain. They avoid it. They're scared of fighting, scared of losing themselves in it." He inhaled deeply, the familiar burn of tobacco filling his lungs before he exhaled. "Most of 'em are bigger than you, might even be smarter. But you... someone who can't even meet the basic health requirements for the military—why are you so desperate to get to the front line?"
Tommy knew the military wasn't exactly picky these days, not with the war grinding on and bleeding the world dry. Standards were slipping. As long as a man could run and hold a rifle, he'd be accepted.
But Steve? He'd been rejected multiple times and yet kept trying. That kind of persistence made Tommy curious.
"Men are putting their lives at stake. I don't see why I should do any less than them," Steve answered.
Tommy watched as the scrawny lad—Steve Rogers—snatched the enlistment form from Bucky's hand. That was almost too patriotic for Tommy's taste. He took another slow drag from his cigarette as he thought, 'Still a fool.'
'Dr. Erskine would be more than happy to meet a fool like him,' Tommy exhaled the smoke.
Tommy quietly looked at Steve. Thinking about the project, he didn't think they'd take in a scrawny guy for the serum. He didn't know to what extent the serum would transform a human body. But why would you strengthen someone weak when you can do it to someone strong?
"I'm taking Steve out for a bit of fun tonight," Bucky said, taking a newspaper out of his suit. "Since you're all here, why don't you join us?"
Tossing the newspaper to him, Tommy caught it. He saw the headline with a picture of a Ferris wheel and fireworks as he mumbled, "World Exposition of Tomorrow?"
It was an exhibit organized by Stark Industries to showcase their newest inventions and technology. Tommy knew of the event. He made sure of it. Futuristic automobiles, household appliances, and military technology—he remembered almost every tiny detail by now.
"Let's go see the future!"
Bucky was too excited. Tommy knew something was off. Thinking about it again, he looked at Bucky and asked, "Are you both going on a date?"
"A date?"
Steve turned to Bucky, whose smile disappeared as the sergeant took off his cap and grumbled, "Ah, come on, Tommy. You just spoiled the surprise!"
"Bucky, you brought me on a date?"
"Yeah, why not, Steve? Let's have some fun!" Bucky quickly regained his mood and smiled. The sergeant turned toward Arthur and John and invited, "Come on, Arthur! John! I'll ask the girls to bring their friends along. It'll be a good time!"
"Ah, piss off, Bucky. Not in the mood for a bloody date," Arthur took a long drag of his cigarette before walking out of the alleyway, leaving a trail of smoke as John also shook his head.
"Sorry, Barnes. Not feelin' it tonight."
"Suit yourselves. More fun for us, eh, Steve?" Bucky grumbled before turning to Tommy, ignoring John, who quickly followed after Arthur, and asked, "How about you, Colonel?"
Tommy knew John was also not in the mood, knowing he was about to go to war. His eyes were still locked on the newspaper as he thought of his appointment and recalled the main event at the Expo tonight, mumbling, "There'll be a flying car demonstration."
"You know about it?" Bucky's eyes lit up. "Come on, Tommy, you gotta come!"
Tommy looked at those eyes, urging him to come along to 'have fun.' But unfortunately for Bucky, he could only shake his head. He had something better to do as he threw the newspaper back to Bucky, who almost dropped it while catching it. "I've got an appointment with someone important, Bucky. Maybe next time."
"An appointment? What, you off to see Colonel Patton or something?"
Tommy slowly walked out of the alleyway, leaving the two as he heard his boots clacking on the pavement. He stopped at the question and thought of someone behind the expo—the man Chester introduced him to, Howard Stark.
Their appointment was tonight, and the location was the expo. He turned to Bucky and waved his hand, leaving them while saying, "See you later, Bucky."
"For Christ's sake, Tommy! Don't be an old man! Come on, live a little!"
Tommy heard Bucky's complaints as his lips curled up. If they met at the expo later, he wondered what kind of expression Bucky would make. He took another drag of his cigarette, quietly catching up with Arthur and John, who were walking ahead.
He didn't know why Chester wanted him to meet Howard at the expo. He guessed it must have something to do with how busy the genius was with his tech stuff. But Tommy was confident in his ability to impress the genius and get the funds he needed to start his business.
The day passed quickly, and before he knew it, the bright sky had turned dark. New York City was still alive with lights, especially tonight, as Tommy made his way toward the location where he was supposed to meet Howard Stark.
The Expo grounds were huge, and it was obvious it was a popular event. Crowds of people were everywhere, and their chattering filled his eardrums. Tommy felt the urge to light a cigarette, hoping it would calm his nerves in the middle of all this noise.
The tall pavilions and exhibition halls were lit up, way too bright for his taste. Everywhere he looked, there were neon lights flashing. Tommy quietly observed every nook and cranny and mumbled, "He's quite a narcissist."
Just by the way the expo was presented, Tommy could tell Howard Stark wanted the people to know that it was 'his' Expo they were attending as he stared at the biggest pavilion. Inside, he noticed a huge "Stark Industries" sign hung above the stage, and under it sat a car, still in the dark, waiting to be shown off.
As Tommy walked through the crowd, something caught his eye. It was a building that didn't shine as bright as the rest. He saw many men in military uniforms as he mumbled, "Army Recruiting Hall? Well, I guess we're desperate for more men indeed."
"Colonel Shelby?"
A voice suddenly called as he was about to continue his walk. Tommy turned as he saw a familiar face approaching and noticed the thick glasses immediately as he called, "Dr. Erskine. What made you come here?"
"Well, as you can see," Dr. Erskine looked at the Army Recruiting Hall before turning back to him and continued, "we're still in the middle of recruiting soldiers for the project."
"Um, did I tell Colonel Chester I'd be here?" Dr. Erskine furrowed his eyebrows.
Tommy looked into those eyes that held suspicions toward him, and he couldn't hold back a chuckle as he said, "I think you've got it wrong, Dr. Erskine."
He knew Chester had been bothering Dr. Erskine for some time, trying to get Tommy considered as the perfect candidate for the Super Soldier Serum. It was no surprise the doctor was on edge about it. Tommy understood the suspicion, but all he felt was nothing more than disdain.
Before Tommy could explain further, a loud announcement echoed across the Expo: "Welcome to the Modern Marvels Pavilion!"
"And to the world of tomorrow! A greater world! A better world!"
The crowd moved toward the pavilions as the announcer continued. Tommy watched as the main stage lit up, and people cheered loudly for the Expo's main event—a flying car. Beautiful women crowded the stage, earning another cheer from the crowd.
Tommy turned to Dr. Erskine and said, "Looks like the show's starting."
"Ladies and gentlemen! Mr. Howard Stark!"
"I can't miss this," Tommy added, giving Dr. Erskine a quick nod. "Good luck with the recruitment, Doctor."
Tommy left Dr. Erskine behind, who looked after him with confusion. What Dr. Erskine thought of him was not his business; his eyes were already on the stage, where a man with a sharp mustache was stepping into the spotlight to wild cheers.
'Howard Stark.'
Tommy smiled to himself.