Guenter Wendt shakes hands with Jim Lovell, as Guenter prepares to close out the White Room before launch.

Back in Houston, Gene Kranz has donned his new vest for the flight. The other controllers applaud.

“Hey, Gene!” says a controller, “I guess we can go now!”

“Save it for splashdown, guys,” replies Kranz.

Guenter closes the Command Module hatch, locking it with a single turn on the handle.

Lovell glances at the crew, smiles, and turns toward the instrument panel.

In Houston, Gene takes a deep draw of his Camel cigarette, then takes a gulp of coffee.

“Apollo Thirteen flight controllers, listen up,” says Kranz. “Give me a Go / No-Go for launch. Booster?”

“Go,” says Booster.

“RETRO?” says Kranz.

“Go,” says RETRO.

“FIDO?” says Kranz.

“We’re go, Flight!” says FIDO.

“Guidance?” asks Kranz.

“Guidance,  go,” says GUIDO.

“Surgeon?” asks Kranz.

“Go, Flight, ” replies the Flight Surgeon, while smoking a cigarette.

“EECOM?” asks Kranz.

“We’re go, Flight,” replies EECOM.

“GNC?” asks Kranz.

“We’re go, ” replies GNC.

“TELMU?” asks Kranz.

“Go,” replies TELMU.

“Control?” asks Kranz.

“Go, Flight” replies Control.

“Procedures?” asks Kranz.

“Go!” replies Procedures.

“INCO?” asks Kranz.

“Go!” replies INCO.

“FAO?” asks Kranz.

“We are go” replies FAO.

“Network?” asks Kranz.

“Go!” replies Network.

IN THIS MINUTE:

Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks