This is the first chapter of my Captain America story. I really have no idea where I'm going with it, (in fact, I'm just winging it), so we'll see where it goes... if it even goes any farther. I may just stop. We'll see how bored I get while on vacation.
This is a work of fiction. All characters are owned by Marvel Entertainment Group.
Steve Rogers sat at the desk and sighed in exasperation. As an artist, this was definitely not a good thing. Artists who can't think of what to draw usually wind up hungry. I have no idea what to make for this ad campaign, Steve thought. Why did I ever agree to work for Marvel Comics? I'm going to have to draw myself again...
Weeks earlier, Steve had been hired by Marvel Comics to draw full-page advertisements for various comic titles. Each week Steve needed three different full-page ads for the various Marvel titles, like The Amazing Spider-Man, The X-Men, or The Fantastic Four. Steve was not big on this particular job, especially since he felt he was bringing his work with him to work.
In reality, Steve was no ordinary artist. He was the living legend of World War II, the one and only Captain America! Drawing pictures of himself and his costumed cohorts was not his idea of fun. Sure, he loved art, but he'd rather be drawing images of nature, or perhaps Norman Rockwell-style "slice of life" images. Having to turn tense situations with The Red Skull or Doctor Doom into entertainment for readers was very depressing to Steve. He'd seen too much destruction and death in his years, and the thought of people enjoying it as a literary work did not settle well with him.
Steve reconciled the fact that he was drawing with Marvel for one major reason. He was glad that he was giving his noble friends and allies some respect on the comic-book page. He at least knew that when he was on an assignment from Marvel, that his fellow crime-fighters would be given the respect that they deserve, and not painted out as heartless vigilantes or selfish thrill-seekers.
Not content to sit back and accept money for his work as the Star-Spangled Avenger, Steve was glad to have a job on the side to bring in some spending money. Sure, the government was paying for his apartment, but that was all Steve was willing to let the taxpayers cover. Sure, even Captain America needed a place to stay, but it all stopped there. As a public servant, Steve would feel guilty if he used taxpayers' money for entertainment expenses. His meager salary as an artist would help cover a social life outside of the costume.
Steve's mind was focused on that particular social life this evening. He was taking his girlfriend, Bernadette "Bernie" Rosenthal, to the movies tonight. Steve wasn't too fond of today's pictures, but he knew Bernie liked them, and her happiness was one of his sworn missions in life.
Steve and Bernie met several months earlier when he moved into their apartment building in Brooklyn Heights, New York. The chemistry was conducive and the attraction was instant. Steve and Bernie hit it off in no time.
Living in the building was a dream come true for Steve Rogers as a man, and also for Captain America, the hero and icon. Steve had made some great friends for himself in the building, friends that he wasn't required to wear a mask around. Friends that he didn't have to drag into the pits of Hades to fight Baron Zemo for the hundredth time, risking their lives in addition to his. It was good for Steve Rogers to have friends and acquaintances outside of his Captain America persona.
After finally putting together a full-page spread to advertise a new edition of Marvel Team-Up, which featured Spider-Man and the X-Man Cyclops taking on Count Nefaria, Steve dropped his pencil and got up from the desk. There had been enough drawing for one day. Tonight was a night for recreation and companionship... unless, of course, other forces had plans.