GUEST: Susan Habas, The Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, Wilmington, NC

Link to Hannah Block USO Museum & Community Arts Center

In a muddy field in Italy, Steve Rogers, clad in his Captain America costume, stands awkwardly on the makeshift stage, holding his shield. He forces enthusiasm into his voice. “Okay. Uh, I need a volunteer!”

A soldier shouts sarcastically. “I already volunteered! How do you think I got here?” The crowd erupts in derisive laughter, the sound echoing across the rain-soaked camp.

Another soldier shouts from the back, “Bring back the girls!” The troops cheer wildly, their applause thunderous.

Steve shifts, trying to regain control. “I think they only know the one song, but I’ll see what I can do.”

“You do that, sweetheart,” a third soldier calls, eliciting more laughs.

A fourth soldier piles on, “Nice boots, Tinker Bell!”

Steve raises his hands, his expression earnest. “Come on, guys, we’re all on the same team here.”

“Hey, Captain! Sign this!” a fifth soldier yells, dropping his pants to moon Steve. The crowd roars with approval, tomatoes sailing through the air, splattering against Steve’s raised shield.

“Bring back the girls!” they chant.

Steve retreats backstage as the chorus girls return to the stage, their smiles plastered on despite the chaos. A piano tinkles the opening notes of “The Star-Spangled Man.”

The stage manager, claps Steve on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, pal. They’ll warm up to you. Don’t worry.”

The scene cuts to Steve, sitting alone on a crate under a tent in the pouring rain, his notepad open as he draws a sketch of a monkey dressed in a Captain America costume.