Hold the Light

07

WORLD EXPOSITION OF TOMORROW

"I don't see what the problem is," Bucky said. "You're the last eligible man in New York. You know, there's three and a half million women here."

"Well, I'd settle for just one," Steve replied.

"Good thing I took care of that."

Daniel glanced at him with a raised brow. "Buck, what did you do?"

Bucky waved to the dates, Connie and Bonnie, he'd lined up.

"Hey, Bucky!" Connie greeted.

"What did you tell her about me?" Steve asked.

"Only the good stuff," Bucky replied.

Music played and the expo announcer said, "Welcome to the Modern Marvels Pavilion and the World of Tomorrow. A greater world. A better world."

"Oh, my God!" Connie cried. "It's starting!"

Lottie grinned and took Daniel's hand as said excitedly, "Oh, I can't wait!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Howard Stark!" Mandy introduced.

Howard entered the stage and kissed the announcer.

A woman yelled, "I love you, Howard!"

Howard addressed the audience at the World Exposition fair. "Ladies and gentlemen, what if I told you that in just a few short years, your automobile won't even have to touch the ground at all." The female assistants took the wheels off the car on stage. "Yes. Thanks, Mandy." He addressed the audience again. "With Stark robotic reversion technology, you'll be able to do just that."

Howard turned on the switch of his machine and the car started to hover off the ground.

"Holy cow," Bucky muttered.

Lottie's eyes widened as she brought her hands to her face and she whispered, "Oh my goodness."

Daniel chuckled as he squeezed Lottie's hand. "I'll say."

The robots making the car hover suddenly malfunctioned and the car fell back on stage.

"I did say a few years, didn't I?" Howard said, causing everyone to laugh.

Steve disappeared, and Bucky, Lottie and Daniel noticed.

"Hey, Steve, what do you say we treat these girls..." Bucky began.

"He left," Daniel said. "And I think I know exactly where."

"Let's go."

RECRUITMENT CENTER

A woman said to her male company, pulling him away from a mirror making him look like a soldier, "Come on, soldier."

Steve stepped in front of the mirror but was too short to fill out the face.

"Come on," Bucky said. "You're kind of missing the point of a triple date. We're taking the girls dancing."

"You three go ahead," Steve told him. "I'll catch up with you all."

"You're really gonna do this again?"

"Well, it's a fair. I'm gonna try my luck."

"As who?" Daniel said. "Steve from Ohio? They'll catch you. Or worse, they'll actually take you."

"Look, I know you don't think I can do this."

Lottie frowned. "This isn't a back alley, Steve. It's war!"

"I know it's a war. You don't have to tell me."

"Why are you so keen to fight?" Bucky asked. "There are so many important jobs."