GUEST: Benjamin Clark, Charles Schulz Museum

In the pouring rain at the Italian camp, Peggy Carter approaches Steve Rogers, who sits sketching on a crate.

“Hello, Steve,” says Peggy.

Steve looks up, surprised. “Hi.”

“Hi,” Peggy echoes, a small smile forming.

“What are you doing here?” Steve asks, putting his notepad aside.

“Officially, I’m not here at all,” Peggy replies. “That was quite a performance.”

“Yeah,” Steve admits. “I had to improvise a little bit. The crowds I’m used to are usually more… twelve.”

Peggy nods. “I understand you’re ‘America’s New Hope.’”

“Bond sales take a 10% bump in every state I visit,” Steve says.

“Is that Senator Brandt I hear?” Peggy teases.

“At least he’s got me doing this,” Steve counters. “Phillips would have had me stuck in a lab.”

“And these are your only two options? A lab rat or a dancing monkey?” Peggy nods at the notepad sketches. “You were meant for more than this, you know.” She pauses, noticing his expression. “What?”

Steve gazes into the rain. “You know, for the longest time, I dreamed about coming overseas and being on the front lines…”