Minute 010: Something’s Come Up

Jim Lovell is explaining to Congressional VIPs why further Apollo missions are necessary.  Behind them, inside the VAB, the S-IV-B being lowered from the ceiling connects with the S-II stage.

“Are there any other questions?” asks Lovell.

A female visitor timidly raises her hand. “How – how do you go to the bathroom in space?” she smiles.

“Well, I’ll tell you – – it’s a highly technical process, of cranking down the window and looking for a gas station, which –” replies Lovell.

Everyone laughs.  The VAB elevator door opens.

“Ah, there’s Deke Slayton,” Jim Lovell points out the man exiting the elevator. “Deke, you may be able to answer this lady’s question better than I – Deke is one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts, ladies and gentlemen,  and now he’s our boss. He hands out the astronauts’ flight assignments, so naturally, we kick back part of our salaries to Deke every month. How much this month, Deke?”

Slayton rubs his nose, “Uh, Jim, can I have a minute? Something’s come up.”

“Sure, you bet,” says Lovell. He looks at the NASA Public Affairs Officer. “Henry?”

Later, at the Lovell home, Jim steps in the front door. “Hey!” he yells, “Anybody home?” He walks through the house, carrying a flight bag. Upstairs, Marilyn is having an argument with her daughter, Barbara.

“That’s the thing!” says Barbara, “I”m not being a cheerleader, Mom! I worked so hard on this!” Barbara is wearing a leather miniskirt , a tie-dye t-shirt, and a headband. Her younger brother, dressed in a Halloween skeleton costume, is jumping on her bed.

“Barbara, maybe I don’t understand,” replies Marilyn, “but you are not wearing that out in this neighborhood. That’s the end of it!”

“She’s not even wearing a bra!” says her little sister, dressed as a ballerina. “You can see everything!”

“Shut up!” replies Barbara.

Jim Lovell arrives at the top of the stairs.

IN THIS MINUTE:

Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks

Congressman: Roger Corman

NASA PAO Henry Hurt: Xander Berkeley

Deke Slayton: Chris Ellis

Marilyn Lovell: Kathleen Quinlan

Barbara Lovell: Mary Kate Schelhardt

Susan Lovell: Emily Ann Lloyd

Jeffrey Lovell: Miko Hughes