mega || m. murdock

chapter one

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September 18th, 1971

"EIGHTH TIME'S THE CHARM RUTHIE," MARJORIE REASSURED HER DAUGHTER, WHO WAS PULLING ON A GRAY BLAZER ACROSS THE HALL.

"That doesn't make me feel better," Ruth sighed. "The saying is the third time's the charm."

"Hon—"

"I don't get it," Ruth went on. "Seven jobs, just," she gestured with her hand. "Fallen through. You know, every single one of those positions was offered to a man, instead of me. I am a good lawyer! I wouldn't have made it out of school if I wasn't!"

"No one thinks you aren't a good lawyer, Ruth," Marjorie said. It was true— Ruth was a wonderful lawyer, and the top of her graduating class. But, "The job market is always a little more competitive with these types of jobs. The right job will find you. You've just got to be patient."

Ruth huffed, buttoning her blazer at the mirror on the wall before turning to her mom. "How do I look?" She asked. Gray blazer, gray skirt to match, black pumps.

"You look great, hon," Marjorie promised. "I'm so proud of you. Your future is so bright. You just have to—"

"Patience," Ruth said. "I know." She took a breath, leaning down to pick up the briefcase her mother had gifted her for her graduation. There weren't any legal case files in it, of course, since she had yet to land a position, but she did have her resume, her diploma, and a few other documents she would need should she land the job today. She adjusted her hair in the mirror, taking one final breath. "OK. Wish me luck."

"Good luck, angel. You've got this," her mother said. "I'll be here when you get back."

Ruth shared a brief smile with her mother, before walking out the door and setting foot for the train she would take from her hometown of Brooklyn, to Manhattan, where the law firm she was applying for was located.

This particular law firm, despite her hesitations from seven previous rejections, Ruth had a little extra hope for. She hadn't applied for this firm. In a fit of hopelessness, she left some business cards on a bulletin post on the street where her last job interview took place. She assumed, when this law firm reached out, that they had seen her business card, and thought she could be a potential new employee. She was grateful. She was desperate.

Ruth loved law, because she loved history. Her whole life, she'd been taught to research her own history, and as she grew older, that turned into researching all kinds of history— including, the history of the United States. She was among one of the first generations of women to even be allowed to attend university, and that alone was the first thing that prompted her into pursuing law, of all things. She wanted to make progress for her country.

She was just like her father in that way. At least, that's what Marjorie had told her.

Ruth never got to know her father. She knew who he was, of course— everyone did. Captain America was a household name by the 40s. But he had no idea that she existed.

Marjorie Snyder was 21 years old when she was first picked as a dancer for the USO's Captain America tour, back in 1943. It was a wonderful opportunity, and she loved it— she loved Captain America even more. Marjorie and Steve's affair was short, but it was everything to her— and everything didn't come without consequences. This consequence, was Ruth.