Timeless

01

Steve, after failing to be approved for military service yet again, made his way to the theater and awaited his friends as he watched a short about helping the war effort.

The commercial announcer said, "War continues to ravage Europe. But help is on the way. Every able-bodied young man is lining up to serve his country. Even little Timmy is doing his part collecting scrap metal. Nice work, Timmy!"

"Who cares?" a loud, jerky guy said. "Play the movie already!"

Steve replied quietly, "Hey, you wanna show some respect?"

"Meanwhile, overseas, our brave boys are showing the Axis powers that the price freedom is never too high."

"Let's got! Get on with it! Hey, just start the cartoon!" the loud jerk cried.

"Hey buddy, you wanna shut up?!" Steve shot back.

The guy got up and looked at him. Steve stared at him, realizing he'd made a mistake. But the man was a bully, and he couldn't let that slide.

"Together with Allied forces, we'll face any threat, no matter the size."

The two were soon in an alley. Steve tried punching the guy, but kept getting knocked down.

Steve picked up the top to a trashcan and the guy said, "You just don't know when to give up, do you?"

"I could do this all day," Steve challenged, balling his fists.

---

Mattie and Bucky walked towards the theater and she frowned. "Loud noises. Do you think?"

Bucky listened for a moment and muttered, "Steve, I swear if that's you-"

Bucky and Mattie had found the alley and the former said, "Hey! Pick on someone your own size!" He punched the attacker, then kicked the man as he ran away. He glanced back at Steve. "Sometimes I think you like getting punched."

"I had him on the ropes," Steve replied.

Mattie let out a sigh. "Steve, you really must be careful."

He picked up Steve's enlistment form from the ground. "How many times is this?" He read from the enlistment form. "Oh, you're from Paramus now? You know it's illegal to lie on the enlistment form. And seriously, Jersey?"

Mattie frowned. "Jersey? No one likes Jersey."

Steve ignored their words and asked, "You get your orders?"

"The 107th," Bucky said. "Sergeant James Barnes. Shipping out for England first thing tomorrow. "

Mattie smiled sadly. "It's a great honor." Serving was. Drafting, not so much."

Steve looked between them. "I should be going."

"Come on, man," Bucky pleaded. "It's my last night! Gotta get you cleaned up."

"Why? Where are we going?"

"The future." He handed Steve a newspaper. Steve opened the paper to see an ad for World Exposition Of Tomorrow, 1943.

Mattie smiled. "And oh what a future it'll be."

"Mattie, would you do me the honor of coming with me?"

She nodded. "Yes, I would."

"I'll pick you up at seven."

"I'm looking forward to it."

---

Mattie pinned her hair up and smoothed down her dress. She let out a breath. "You can do this. It's one date. You've seen him numerous times around."

Yet still, something about the steel blue-eyed soldier made her nervous.

A knock sounded on the door and she opened it.

Bucky handed her a bouquet of red roses. "You look stunning, doll."

Mattie smiled. "Thank you." She grabbed a vase, filled it with water, cut a small bit of the stem off, then placed the roses in water. "Shall we?"

Bucky nodded, offering his arm.

Mattie accepted his arm and the two left the apartment.