Chapter 44: Captain America
_
A chorus of female voices echoed throughout the place.
“Who is brave and strong enough to save America?”
“Not everyone can storm the beaches and attack the enemy!”
“But we can all cheer and shout for support!”
“Who swears to fight day and night to defend the truth?”
“E-Series Defense Bonds, every purchase adds a bullet to the soldier’s gun barrel!”
“Who spreads propaganda for the country door-to-door? Holding the national flag, traveling across the country from east to west? He shoulders all responsibility with the Stars and Stripes on his shoulder!”
***
Unlike the last fundraising event limited to the upper class, this time, the joint labor-military organization’s bond promotion covers the entire population, so it’s naturally not taking place in some mansion but at the Chicago Grand Theater.
This is one of the three largest theaters in the United States, built in 1865, and it’s been more than seventy years since then. It has been rebuilt once and can accommodate four thousand spectators at a time.
And this time, the joint labor-military organization will stay in Chicago for a week.
Josh sat in the VIP box with a stiff smile, watching the muscle man on stage, surrounded by a group of singing and dancing beauties, performing an awkward musical.
But among the audience, only Josh’s smile was somewhat stiff. Most people were very excited, with their eyes shining and applauding loudly.
“What’s wrong, Josh? You don’t seem to like this musical? I think it’s well-written!” Margaret, who was sitting next to him, clapped excitedly and asked.
“Oh, it’s nothing, just not used to this kind of lively occasion.” Josh forced a laugh.
But how could his attitude really deceive Margaret, his close companion? Since receiving the invitation a few days ago, Josh has been absent-minded.
He had been planning to become a city tycoon with the help of the dimensional trading device in what he thought was an ordinary parallel world, only to find out now that he was in the Marvel Universe, which made him extremely nervous.
But he couldn’t say anything about it. What could he say? That he thought this was an ordinary world but was now panicking because he realized it was the Marvel Universe? No way!
But in fact, it was partially Josh’s fault. He didn’t read newspapers much in his previous life as an urban man of the internet age. After crossing over to this era, he read newspapers daily, mainly local Chicago newspapers. Hence, it wasn’t surprising that he missed the news about Howard Stark.
He also found news about Howard Stark and Captain America afterward. Their appearances were exactly the same as in the movies. The size of Stark Industries also matched the situation in the movies.
If it was based on the comic book version, as far as Josh could recall, Stark Industries was founded by Howard’s father, and it had already grown before World War I.
But according to the information he collected, Howard Stark was born in 1917 in a civilian area of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, where his father was just a fruit vendor, and his mother worked in a clothing factory.
Howard Stark only graduated from college in 1934 and started from scratch.
Stark Industries was only established in 1939 and began to develop by relying on military and British orders.
Although the development speed was extremely fast, it had only been four years so far, and it was still far from being a giant.
In terms of industrial scale, not to mention compared with old giants like Rockefeller, it was far inferior to the Vanderbilt family.
So its popularity was high on the East Coast, but in the Midwest and West, its popularity was relatively low.
In this time when information was not as widely spread as in the internet era, Josh, who had only been in this world for a few months, had not paid attention to Stark Industries, which was quite normal.
And although he was initially scared when he found out he was in the Marvel Universe, after a few days of calm, Josh had turned the corner.
So what if it’s the Marvel Universe? The real high-risk era is mainly in the main plot of Future Avengers. Going forward, although Hydra is causing trouble, it’s usually relatively secretive. Overall, the danger level isn’t that high.
And when it comes to the real main storyline of the Avengers… what decade is it again?
The Battle of New York was in 2012, which will be almost seventy years from now.
Thanos’ snap was in 2018, even later.
He couldn’t even be sure if he could make it to that time…
But he had the Multiverse Trading System, which made it highly unlikely that he wouldn’t make it to that time.
“Mr. Josh, why don’t you take a photo with our Captain America? You’ve purchased another million dollars in bonds this time; we need the whole country to know about your contribution!” After Captain America’s show ended, Senator Brandt of New York, the United Labor Army organizer sitting nearby, smiled and invited Josh.
This time, Josh couldn’t possibly be the one who contributed the most to purchasing bonds.
But Senator Brandt didn’t mind because a million dollars was still a huge amount and most of those who subscribed to amounts more than Josh’s were old veteran corporations.
So even if the subscription amount was less, no one would think Josh’s sincerity was lacking.
Even Senator Brandt was still planning to use Josh as a model for modern American teenagers and as a form of publicity.
“That’s what I should do, and I’m happy to take a photo with Captain America. But during the photo, could Mr. Captain take off his mask and take a few more shots with me? I think it would be more meaningful, and I’d like to have a few photos as souvenirs.” Josh smiled and responded to the senator’s invitation.
When he heard the invitation, Josh suddenly thought it would be very meaningful if he could take a photo with the Captain America of this era because the currently popular Captain America would have to sleep under the North Pole in less than two years.
“Oh, of course, that’s a very reasonable request!” The senator was slightly surprised by Josh’s request, but it wasn’t a big deal.
Captain America initially wore a mask during performances to protect his identity as a super soldier from German targeting, and later it became a symbol of Captain America.
If it were an ordinary person who said they wanted to take a photo with Captain America without a mask, the senator would naturally not agree.
But the senator would naturally not refuse such a small request for Josh, a model of anti-French XX youth and a major donor.
So Josh easily stood next to Captain America without a mask.
“Hello, Captain. When I got closer, I realized you were taller than I imagined. I wish I had your athletic body when I have your age.” Josh smiled and looked at Captain America in front of him, complimenting him.
“Mr. Kane, you flatter me. You’re still young; you’ll definitely be taller than me in the future!” Steve Rogers looked at Josh before him and listened to his compliments, feeling heartfelt.
After all, just a month ago, he was only about 1.6 meters tall, while Josh, who was already 1.8 meters tall at 16 years old, was his envy.
And even now that he has become a super soldier, he is only 1.88 meters tall, not much taller than Josh.
The only difference is that Josh’s body looks a little thin.
There’s no way around it. Josh actually does exercise, but muscles are not something that can build quickly.
“I thought you didn’t like Captain America, but you looked very happy taking a photo with him.” After taking the photo, Margaret came up to Josh and smiled.
“Margo, would you believe that he will become a truly respected hero by the world?” Josh didn’t directly respond to Margaret’s words but said something that made her feel inexplicable.
But at this moment, a tall figure suddenly squeezed through the crowd and came to Josh’s side.
“Dix? What are you doing here?” Josh was a little surprised to see the big man suddenly appear.
“Boss, something’s happened. Our goods were robbed!” Dix whispered in Josh’s ear.
Josh, who was still happy a moment ago, immediately had a change in expression upon hearing the news.
“Margo, let me take you back first. There’s been a situation at the company.” Josh said to Margaret.
Margaret understood that something must have happened but didn’t ask any more questions. She just obediently nodded and followed Josh out of the theater.
Meanwhile, on stage, Steve Rogers, taking a group photo with others, looked thoughtfully at Josh’s departing figure. It was obvious that he had noticed the situation with Josh just now.
Chapter 44: Captain America
_
A chorus of female voices echoed throughout the place.
“Who is brave and strong enough to save America?”
“Not everyone can storm the beaches and attack the enemy!”
“But we can all cheer and shout for support!”
“Who swears to fight day and night to defend the truth?”
“E-Series Defense Bonds, every purchase adds a bullet to the soldier’s gun barrel!”
“Who spreads propaganda for the country door-to-door? Holding the national flag, traveling across the country from east to west? He shoulders all responsibility with the Stars and Stripes on his shoulder!”
***
Unlike the last fundraising event limited to the upper class, this time, the joint labor-military organization’s bond promotion covers the entire population, so it’s naturally not taking place in some mansion but at the Chicago Grand Theater.
This is one of the three largest theaters in the United States, built in 1865, and it’s been more than seventy years since then. It has been rebuilt once and can accommodate four thousand spectators at a time.
And this time, the joint labor-military organization will stay in Chicago for a week.
Josh sat in the VIP box with a stiff smile, watching the muscle man on stage, surrounded by a group of singing and dancing beauties, performing an awkward musical.
But among the audience, only Josh’s smile was somewhat stiff. Most people were very excited, with their eyes shining and applauding loudly.
“What’s wrong, Josh? You don’t seem to like this musical? I think it’s well-written!” Margaret, who was sitting next to him, clapped excitedly and asked.
“Oh, it’s nothing, just not used to this kind of lively occasion.” Josh forced a laugh.
But how could his attitude really deceive Margaret, his close companion? Since receiving the invitation a few days ago, Josh has been absent-minded.
He had been planning to become a city tycoon with the help of the dimensional trading device in what he thought was an ordinary parallel world, only to find out now that he was in the Marvel Universe, which made him extremely nervous.
But he couldn’t say anything about it. What could he say? That he thought this was an ordinary world but was now panicking because he realized it was the Marvel Universe? No way!
But in fact, it was partially Josh’s fault. He didn’t read newspapers much in his previous life as an urban man of the internet age. After crossing over to this era, he read newspapers daily, mainly local Chicago newspapers. Hence, it wasn’t surprising that he missed the news about Howard Stark.
He also found news about Howard Stark and Captain America afterward. Their appearances were exactly the same as in the movies. The size of Stark Industries also matched the situation in the movies.
If it was based on the comic book version, as far as Josh could recall, Stark Industries was founded by Howard’s father, and it had already grown before World War I.
But according to the information he collected, Howard Stark was born in 1917 in a civilian area of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, where his father was just a fruit vendor, and his mother worked in a clothing factory.
Howard Stark only graduated from college in 1934 and started from scratch.
Stark Industries was only established in 1939 and began to develop by relying on military and British orders.
Although the development speed was extremely fast, it had only been four years so far, and it was still far from being a giant.
In terms of industrial scale, not to mention compared with old giants like Rockefeller, it was far inferior to the Vanderbilt family.
So its popularity was high on the East Coast, but in the Midwest and West, its popularity was relatively low.
In this time when information was not as widely spread as in the internet era, Josh, who had only been in this world for a few months, had not paid attention to Stark Industries, which was quite normal.
And although he was initially scared when he found out he was in the Marvel Universe, after a few days of calm, Josh had turned the corner.
So what if it’s the Marvel Universe? The real high-risk era is mainly in the main plot of Future Avengers. Going forward, although Hydra is causing trouble, it’s usually relatively secretive. Overall, the danger level isn’t that high.
And when it comes to the real main storyline of the Avengers… what decade is it again?
The Battle of New York was in 2012, which will be almost seventy years from now.
Thanos’ snap was in 2018, even later.
He couldn’t even be sure if he could make it to that time…
But he had the Multiverse Trading System, which made it highly unlikely that he wouldn’t make it to that time.
“Mr. Josh, why don’t you take a photo with our Captain America? You’ve purchased another million dollars in bonds this time; we need the whole country to know about your contribution!” After Captain America’s show ended, Senator Brandt of New York, the United Labor Army organizer sitting nearby, smiled and invited Josh.
This time, Josh couldn’t possibly be the one who contributed the most to purchasing bonds.
But Senator Brandt didn’t mind because a million dollars was still a huge amount and most of those who subscribed to amounts more than Josh’s were old veteran corporations.
So even if the subscription amount was less, no one would think Josh’s sincerity was lacking.
Even Senator Brandt was still planning to use Josh as a model for modern American teenagers and as a form of publicity.
“That’s what I should do, and I’m happy to take a photo with Captain America. But during the photo, could Mr. Captain take off his mask and take a few more shots with me? I think it would be more meaningful, and I’d like to have a few photos as souvenirs.” Josh smiled and responded to the senator’s invitation.
When he heard the invitation, Josh suddenly thought it would be very meaningful if he could take a photo with the Captain America of this era because the currently popular Captain America would have to sleep under the North Pole in less than two years.
“Oh, of course, that’s a very reasonable request!” The senator was slightly surprised by Josh’s request, but it wasn’t a big deal.
Captain America initially wore a mask during performances to protect his identity as a super soldier from German targeting, and later it became a symbol of Captain America.
If it were an ordinary person who said they wanted to take a photo with Captain America without a mask, the senator would naturally not agree.
But the senator would naturally not refuse such a small request for Josh, a model of anti-French XX youth and a major donor.
So Josh easily stood next to Captain America without a mask.
“Hello, Captain. When I got closer, I realized you were taller than I imagined. I wish I had your athletic body when I have your age.” Josh smiled and looked at Captain America in front of him, complimenting him.
“Mr. Kane, you flatter me. You’re still young; you’ll definitely be taller than me in the future!” Steve Rogers looked at Josh before him and listened to his compliments, feeling heartfelt.
After all, just a month ago, he was only about 1.6 meters tall, while Josh, who was already 1.8 meters tall at 16 years old, was his envy.
And even now that he has become a super soldier, he is only 1.88 meters tall, not much taller than Josh.
The only difference is that Josh’s body looks a little thin.
There’s no way around it. Josh actually does exercise, but muscles are not something that can build quickly.
“I thought you didn’t like Captain America, but you looked very happy taking a photo with him.” After taking the photo, Margaret came up to Josh and smiled.
“Margo, would you believe that he will become a truly respected hero by the world?” Josh didn’t directly respond to Margaret’s words but said something that made her feel inexplicable.
But at this moment, a tall figure suddenly squeezed through the crowd and came to Josh’s side.
“Dix? What are you doing here?” Josh was a little surprised to see the big man suddenly appear.
“Boss, something’s happened. Our goods were robbed!” Dix whispered in Josh’s ear.
Josh, who was still happy a moment ago, immediately had a change in expression upon hearing the news.
“Margo, let me take you back first. There’s been a situation at the company.” Josh said to Margaret.
Margaret understood that something must have happened but didn’t ask any more questions. She just obediently nodded and followed Josh out of the theater.
Meanwhile, on stage, Steve Rogers, taking a group photo with others, looked thoughtfully at Josh’s departing figure. It was obvious that he had noticed the situation with Josh just now.
