TEST DRIVE #1 - Ten Forward

[tenforward_m]

You know how you were standing there, back in your home world, just minding your own business?

Time to forget all about that.

Instead of doing whatever the heck you were just doing, you're standing in the middle of this very stylish, sedate barroom. Happily, you're not alone there - in fact you're surrounded by people who seem to be as confused as you are...and some of them look a little, well unusual

Now would be a great time to do....well, something. Ask some questions of the person nearest you, throw a fit, stage a coup....maybe do a little exploring? No matter what you do, you're going to be here for a very long time.

For others might call it the USS Enterprise, but for the foreseeable future, you'll be calling it home.

[OOC: this test drive's open until the next app period.]

Comments

[stark_spangled]

"Yeah. I agree with you," he says, scanning the room again as he takes the seat opposite her. "I mean, I don't know as much sci-fi as you probably do. You have a unique perspective. I've just had a lot of recent experience with organizations that make me question how they're run."

He adds 'Jewish poli-sci major' to his list of things he knows about her. She's intelligent, cautious, opinionated -- Steve's interested in her opinion. "You recognized me. Earlier, that is. Were you recognizing Steve Rogers, affiliate of S.H.I.E.L.D., or Captain America?"

[tased_lightning]

"The second one," Darcy says. "My program had a year-long senior independent study project, it was supposed to help us get ready for grad school. I looked into how the United States perceived itself in international relations after the war. The formation of national identity has a lot of factors, but I narrowed my focus to post-war media, and you were everywhere. References, re-spliced versions of the initial propaganda, films about the Captain America persona." Her mouth quirks.

"Captain America's a useful identity for a country to have, no offense. No moral grays, no need to question whether McCarthyism is really worth it. Gotta protect that good old American Way."

[stark_spangled]

He doesn't answer right away, although he might be trying to communicate through blinking and jaw tics. It's not like he isn't aware of his own celebrity. It's inescapable, part of his public identity, and part of his obligation to his country. Everyone thinks they know who Captain America is. Some cheer for him in the streets, and some jeer from passing cars. It's just never settled in enough for him to expect it.

"Really?" His face heats as he thinks back on his brief film career. "You wrote a paper on me? An academic paper?"

[tased_lightning]

"Well, I guess it depends." Darcy rests an elbow on the table. "Are you Captain America, or do you just play him on camera?"

[stark_spangled]

He startles. Again, it's not the first time he's been asked that question, but it doesn't happen often. And really, it was a tad presumptuous answering her as if it was personal.

"Good point," he says, chuckling nervously. "I never really liked -- performing. The things I do, how I serve my country, those things I'm proud of. That's me. But kissing babies and selling bonds was just what I was told to do to serve my country."