The Great Space Race [act 2/5] 'Three-way schemes'

EXT. VANDENBERG SHUTTLE-X LAUNCH FACILITY - NO MOON PREDAWN

Remote-controlled high-tech 'BEE's exeunt a Shuttle hatch, one-by-one; and en mass of ten swirl downward …

BELOW - AN ARAB TENT - Sheik's Aide, arab-caped, bandaged from wind-tunnel practice, video-controls his-- sabotage!

The 'Bee's enter over the VOICES of distant technicians;--

And he closes down and steals away under a barely-lit sky …

TRANSITION: Frame rate to stepwise … and time-lapse speed--

THE SECURITY-CAMERA VIEW, RAPID SEQUENCE - A DAY PASSING …

And on that add PROGRESSIVE OVERLAYS: Dacy's laptop SCREEN:

ADV. - INTERNET-WEBCAM BROWSER TRIM W/BANNER (UPPER FRAME)

Pointer-finger orbits across "Click Here Now" flashing for:

"Click on Flops Wins!-- Or the moon gets nuked!"

The Sheik's Aide (scene above) had been caught on a webcam.

Pointer selects another webcam-favorite … BROWSER CLICK--

ADV. - TV-IN-INTERNET-BROWSER (FULL MAIN FRAME)

A launch-town MAYOR's impromptu as an orange juice barker: gunning full cartons on a fence, venting orange juice …

Go ahead and make your day--: (blows gunsmoke)
With Florida Valencia Orange Juice:

And tips-- SHOOTS HIS HAT…!

Says me,-- the Ohhh-Ranger…!

And EJECTS BARREL CARTRIDGE….

Pointer selects another webcam-favorite … BROWSER CLICK--

ADV. A SHUTTLE LAUNCH-FACILITY - LAWN - DAY (ENHANCED)

An orange full moon; a LIVE-BILLBOARD on the front lawn:

Shine, your moon, with California, Navel, Orange, Juice:--: (flips Orange-bowl-hat)
We're… California-sunnier…!

Pointer selects another webcam-favorite … BROWSER CLICK--

ADV. CELLPHONE SERVICE ADVERTISEMENT - LIVE-PIP (TILTED)

Circled by revolving planet-/moon-/star-oranges; PHONE-PIP:

(comeback)
Florida Valencia Orange juice is sweeter and juicier, than the sun, moon, planets and stars, combined!

ADV. - JIGGLING POPUP (FLOATING HALFSIZE FRAME)

Obscuring the phone-pip;

(squeezed-in, JIGGLING)
Russia Juiced Orangerine is really orangier and tangier, because-- We squeeze really-cosmic orangerines!

Pointer selects a Favorites-Bookmark … BROWSER CLICK--

ADV. - IRCHAT W/SIDEBAR, SCROLLING (FULL MAIN FRAME)

Prelaunch Shuttle-race ad-lib-IRChat scrolling; ad images--

[Head fizzing orange]

More tingle!

[Black-and-orange-dressed Tango dancers]

More tango!

INT. AIRFLIGHT - BUSINESS SECTION - DIM (CONTINUOUS)

POV: Dacy looks up from her laptop (same), to the INFLITE TV-MOVIE [advertising green oranges ripening to fireworks]:

More bingo-bango!

POV checks her watch-- 9:57 AM …

Are we almost there, Daddy?

(resting adjacent)
A few more minutes, Dacy-dear-- and we go straight to Canaveral, and board the Shuttle…. Are you ready?

Yes, Daddy.

BROWSER CLICK-- and back to her laptop--

ADV. - FLORIDA CASINO E-MAIL (FULL MAIN FRAME)

Actor-action-sequence, with live-stand-in:

Flops, doesn't stand half a chance, against Alfaseti, And besides: Nine out-of-ten Floridians, say, Payrol, will take first place anyway… so,-- Cast your, orange, ballot,- and win your cube of Florida Orange Juice!

Pointer fingers "Enter Casino" … BROWSER CLICK--

ADV. RUSSIAN RIVIERA - SUNNY BEACH DAY - (FULL MAIN FRAME)

MCU: A COLLEGE MAN stands ready to bite a navel orange,

(glib commercial)
I'm standing on the Russian Riviera to find-out if navel, orange juice, is really, fresh, around the world!

He bites the orange, navel,- and holding it out, squeezes--

SLO MO: JUICE DROOLS DELICIOUSLY, from the orange navel …

UNDULATING… DOWN …

SPRIGHTLY, SPLASHING: a bikini-clad FEMALE MODEL's BELLY…

NORMAL: CU: Her face cocked up startled at--

HER BELLY: He drops and SLURPS-ABOUT her bellybutton;--

She squeals, "V'sawseetye?!", TRYING TO PULL OUT…

Chasing down-in, a posed glass of Valencia orange juice,--

(delicious grin)
Navel, orange juice, has certain disadvantages, outside California:- Try Florida, Valencia, around your, world, in a glass, with your honey!

CUT TO:

INT. A KITCHEN - AT REFRIGERATOR - LATE EVENING TV-ROOM-LIT

B.G. Next room TV, an upscale-soapy orange juice jug ad:

(standing staring)
If I move to California, I can take a job at the navel shipping yard …

(pleading behind him)
You promised, we would go together … You said it was, In the cartons …

(CUE F.G.)

(sulking)
Ads change, my Amy, Dear: We can't just compare oranges and oranges …

And, Why not?!-- We eat the same breakfast; We vote the same polls …

(reveals a wiener-jug)
It wouldn't work: Quart-size Wiener Jugs are more convenient everywhere I go … I can recycle them myself.

Where have our best squeezes gone?-: (cries in his shoulder)
Don't I hold appeal for you…?!

(a beat, summarizes)
California navel-juicers elected to recount Florida oranges, preferring Flops-to-win 69 percent, to Payrol, 13; the Hunk for a whole 9 percent; Marcia for 7; and Dacy-dear for a 2-percent share with Dolphin-Roy and Mr. No-body.

An all-ages big-animal-science TV-channel resumes …

F.G. Moments after "cartons", a TODDLER (2) in pajamas, toddles in, and opens the refrigerator auto-door.

And while inside BLUE LASER scans about, two-handedly takes out a half full orange juice carton, and holds it up for …

LASER FLURRY-SCANS carton and UBC;--

DOOR-WAP TINGS+TALLIES a line:

ORANGE JUICE-- 39 OZ

Toddler grins gapped-toothy at the scanner:

LASER FLURRY-SCANS teeth and cheeks, blue;--

DOOR-WAP TINGS+TALLIES a second line:

DOG FOOD-- 00 OZ

Toddler EXITS with carton to the TV Room;

Refrigerator TING-TING-TINGS-- and the DOOR CLOSES itself.

DOOR-WAP-PICTURE ad:

(looks-about)
Oooh: Nice!-- I love your nouveau Accent Americana decor: So precise!: (bangs shoe, rants)
But, we will bury you in orangerine juice, Mr. Flops!

CUT TO:

EXT. BAIKONUR LAUNCH FACILTY - BURAN-X READY - 18:55 PM KWT

At the Manned Lunar Launch Facility an ET-stack-Energiya-2X with four boosters and Buran stands fueled … MOON ABOVE …

From the hatch, Sheik's Aide in cape and days-old bandages, stowing-away five GIGGLY NEWSWOMEN, checks watch and below.

NB. WESTSIDE HALF-MOON FOR THE 4-DAY RACE-- NOON MOONRISE; EASTSIDE MOON HAS EARTHSHINE; EASTSIDE EARTH HAS MOONSHINE

CUT TO:

INT. EARLY DINNER THEATER - LOBBY - BAIKONUR (LENINSK)

Audience exits AD LIB; Alfaseti, 10-Sheiks, check watches.

CUT OVER TO:

EXT. VANDENBERG - SHUTTLE-X READY - NO MOON 08:20 AM PDT

The Shuttle stands fuming; NASA Techs clear-away for launch … A taxi-Chauffeur turns away from admiring the Shuttle and into his parked taxi-limousine, starts-up and drives away …

CUT UP TO:

INT. FLOPS COMMAND DECK (LAUNCH-VERTICAL)

Seated back: Flops left, Marcia right; knives, forks, long napkins from open helmets to plates on doilies on stomachs; dainty breakfast of squeeze-milk, steak-in-egg-veg-souffle, fruit slices; watch an early-hour TV Space-Race Talk Show, with orange-Mayors' interviews and NASA launch sites;

Flops eats a bite;- and holds out his plate to Marcia--

(mid chew)
More honey, please and thank you.

She pours honey for him,-- then for herself …

This is an interesting show, Marcia: Do they have this every morning? I usually get up early and watch The Rocky And Bullwinkle Show.

I don't know, Bill: I usually watch Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Green-Jeans.

Good choice.

CUT OVER TO:

EXT. CANAVERAL - SHUTTLE-X READY - MOONRISE 11:30 AM EDT

Moon dome levitates; NASA Techs drive away … A Chauffeur taking a last look up, reenters his limo and drives away.

CUT UP TO:

INT. PAYROL COMMAND DECK (LAUNCH-VERTICAL)

Payrol left, belts-in Dacy right with Dolphin-Roy; She growls hungry at a squeeze-bottle of milk set afore her;--

Can you abstain a little longer-- please-- half an hour, maybe three quarters. Drink your soft-milk: It: (checks the fit)
should hold your tummy 'til lunch.

(smiles relieved, drinks)
Okay.

(seatbelts himself)
If we hadn't had that midmorning board meeting, we'd have had lunch already.

Keys-up the control-panel,-- a glossy-photo-faces [VIDEO] mission-directive begins (like Mission Impossible)--

Good morning, Mr. Payrol: Central Intelligence has recently tracked Arabs of uncertain origin in the vicinity of the Vandenberg Shuttle Launch Facility, where Mr. Bill Flops is scheduled for launch in half an hour, And the President has ordered minimum-fire in the middle-east during the Shuttle launch, to commemorate this momentous moment.: (half a beat)
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to keep a close eye on both the Sheik and his nemesis, Flops, around the backside of the moon: The President is counting on you, Mr. Payrol,- And should you or Dacy-dear be caught or taken, his Secretary will vehemently disavow any knowledge of your actions. This record has a computer-virus that will self-de-res in five seconds.

Well: That answers that!

Daddy: Who is that man: He was on Mission Impossible,- wasn't he?

[Video sequentially decimates and scrambles finer to undulating color-wash smoke]

I don't know, Dacy-dear: We have lot's of double-dippers in the government.

CUT OVER TO:

EXT. BAIKONUR - BURAN-X - MOON PAST MERIDIAN - 19:35 PM KWT

Technicians sweep the launch platform of storage excelsior;

Alfaseti, 10-Sheiks, Wives, Children, arrive in limousines.

Waving Aide SHOUTS "Allah Akbar" from the hatch high above.

Quick hugs and kisses; and the men take the ELEVATOR up …

And board the Buran for launch.

CUT OVER TO:

INT. NASA COORDCOM BLOCKHOUSE - CANAVERAL - 11:58:54 AM EDT

B.G. voices mix English, Russian, World; CAPCOM in NASA-uniform, young DR. VAN ILLIN in Florida-creams with 3-cherry shirt-emblem, stand behind 50 PERSONNEL at 5 rows of Operations desks facing wall displays: monitoring launches;

COUNTDOWN Seconds in-progress: "… 64 … 63 … 62 … 61 … 60 …"

(at 60-sec. mark)
T-minus-sixty seconds and counting: Cape Canaveral is synchronous-null.

(orders)
Final status!

(a beat)
We have confirmation from Baikonur: Go for Launch.: (a beat)
We have confirmation for Vandenberg Go-For-Launch.

Baikonur is Go-for-Launch.

Dr. Van Illin--?

Vandenberg is Go-for-Launch.

We're ready, Cap-Com.

Canaveral is Confirmed Go-For-Launch.

(to headset, repeats)
"Canaveral, is confirmed Go-For-Launch."

(at 30-sec. mark)
Cape Canaveral is Go-for-Launch; Counting T-minus-thirty seconds.

CUT OVER TO:

INT. FLOPS COMMAND (LAUNCH-VERTICAL) - 8:59:30 AM PDT

(smiles)
Sit-tight, Marcia: This is almost as exciting as the day we launched Biz-Wax-99.

(smiles back)
Yes, sir.

CUT OVER TO:

INT. PAYROL COMMAND (LAUNCH-VERTICAL) - 11:59:36 AM EDT

(smiles at)
Time to tell Dolphin-Roy to keep quiet, Dacy-dear.

Okay, Daddy.: (orders Dolphin-Roy)
Now: Don't you inhale, 'til I say!

CUT OVER TO:

INT. SHEIK COMMAND (LAUNCH-VERTICAL) - 19:59:42 PM KWT

HELM left, Alfaseti right, Aide snoozes amid 10-Sheiks;

Faint multiple female BUZZ-WHISPERING from below deck;

(hearing, to Helm)
Have the engines started, already?

Just the internal, fuel-pumps.

CUT DOWN TO:

INT. LOWER DECK (LAUNCH-VERTICAL)

The Newswomen are strapped supine hidden under a curtain-blanket, excitedly buzz-whispering… and mutually hushing.

CUT OVER TO:

INT. NASA COORDCOM - 11:59:50 AM EDT

BALCONY: Looking down-over through its slanted-glass QUIET.

Safety Systems On… Water Started…

REMOTE-VIDEOS: (T-10) [SPARKLES below the SSMEs]

(sync with 1 sec.-COUNT)
T-minus-10. 9.
8.
7.

T-7: [SSMEs ignite to flameshocks; lift]

6.
5.

MAIN FLOOR: (T-5) Busy voices f.g.

4.
3.

T-3: [SSMEs tugging up to limit]

T-0.5: [BOOSTERS ignite… Unclamped-- Shuttle-X liftoff]

We have lift-off of the Tri-Shuttle Mission S-T-S-1-2-Launch: The Great Space Race of the 21st-century.

CHEERS, CLAPPING … [Shuttle-X passes launch tower]

(a beat)
Tower, cleared. Shuttle, is looking good.

T+9: [Shuttle-X begins roll right for 120-deg. head-down]

T-plus-9 seconds-- Houston has control… Canaveral confirms launch of one Shuttle, Cleared for space.

Roger Roll, Shuttle Payrol.

COLLAGE, in advancing minutes:

EXT. CANAVERAL PARKING - SHUTTLE+ET+X RISES - (CONTINUOUS)

RUMBLING - Crowd views the white exhaust column growing up;

Baikonur confirms launch of one space shuttle, cleared for space. Vandenberg confirms launch of one Space Shuttle, Cleared for space.

Climbing a mile in 10 seconds … the SKY RUMBLE-KNOCKS …

T+28:

Shuttle Payrol. Go at Throttle-up.

(2 sec.)
Shuttle, Copies: Go at Throttle-up.

EXT. SHEIK SHUTTLE+ENERGIYA+X RISING - BLUE SKY DARKENING

Its trans-supersonic tail umbrella-cloud blossoms shimmery, and recedes, coning slightly, with its center a heat hole …

Standing-by, for Separation….

EXT. FLOPS SHUTTLE+ET+X RISING - EARTH BELOW BLUE-BLACK SKY

ET camera view of Vandenberg, California receding, 45 mi.…

BOOSTERS SEPARATION, which drift apart, still spewing …

Vandenberg, Flops, Booster-sep. at 1:27. Go'for Altitude!

Roger Vandenberg.

CUT TO:

INT. NASA COORDCOM - 12:01:30 PM EDT

Slightly overlapping, busy:

This is Baikonur COORDCOM, Ptichka-Faseti: You had boosters separation at 1:29. You are, Go for altitude.

Roger, Baikonur.

Canaveral COORDCOM, Shuttle-Payrol: You have boosters separation at 1:34. You are, Go For Altitude.

Roger, Canaveral.

FADE TO BLACK

CUT IN:

EXT. SHEIK COMMAND, SHUTTLE+ENERGIYA - BLACK SKY, STARS

8-minutes later, SSME CUTOFF (boosters long gone).

This is Baikonur COORDCOM: Ptichka-Faseti had main engines cutoff at 9:41. And is Go for insertion.

Canaveral COORDCOM: Shuttle-Payrol has Main Engine Cutoff at 9:48. And is Go For Insertion.

CUT TO:

INT. NASA COORDCOM - 12:09:45 PM EDT (AS CONTINUOUS)

Vandenberg, Flops, MECO, at 9:54. Go'for Insertion!

CUT TO:

INT. PAYROL COMMAND - EARTH ORBIT - MOON UP - OPERATION LIT

ATTITUDE TRIMS: Starry black sky rotates; Earth below.

Payrol gets Dacy gourmet lunch, and for himself:

One French Dip, Au Jus, still hot; avec pommes de terre French-froid.: (smiles on that twist)
And for desert, we have your favorite, kiwi-lime pie.

Can Dolphin-Roy speak now?

I suppose this is an appropriate time for Dolphin-Roy to supply commentary.

(to Dolphin-Roy)
Okay: You can inhale now: Breath in.: (ear-on: breathes-with)
Dolphin-Roy says, this is a big new ocean to swim.

Yes: That is a good way to put it.

(grappling the sandwich)
Daddy: Is this lunch? Or is this breakfast? I'm so hungry, I don't recall: This must be the latest we've ever eaten-- except when we: (and begins eating)
visited Disney Land in California.

Well, Dacy-dear: We're on Universal Time out here, out in space: We had early breakfast on Florida Time and launched at noon: So this is lunch on Texas Time, which is why you're hungry: Except it's really dinner on Universal Time; And Disney Land is on California time, so this is like brunch there, except that when we are there, we are on their time, and wait two more hours for lunch.

(still chewing)
Okay;-- I'll ask my teachers at school, when we get home.

Both eat.

(swallows)
Daddy: Why can't we just be on our own time?!

Well, Dacy-dear: That is one of the all-time bigger mysteries of modern civilized living: Not even all the doctors and lawyers, congressmen and scientists, and all the masters of physics and mathematics, have ever figured out how to make metric time for the whole world-- so, we use English clocks.

(still chewing)
Okay;-- I'll ask my teachers at school, when we get home.

Both eat.

(swallows)
Daddy: How do we know when we've eaten enough in outer space, if everything is weightless? Can I put-on Calories in outer space?

Dacy-dear: I don't know all the answers to all your questions; And when we live in outer space, it's like having a whole new set of questions: How-about we just wing it and have a good time-- Shall we?

(still chewing)
Okay;-- I'll ask my teachers at school, when we get home.

He eats.

(reflecting, adds)
I suppose, eating after, launch, doesn't keep us from putting-on extra, weight.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. ORBIT - SHUTTLE HEADLIGHTS FAR SPREAD - dark, NO MOON

3 Shuttles ready to Go, nearing race-course dawn perigee …

CUT TO:

INT. FLOPS COMMAND - (OPERATION-LIT)

Auto-tracking orbit-corridor;

Luminous shave-ad-phrase SIGNS sequence slowly PAST RIGHT:

SIGNS PASSING: MARCIA reads aloud:

When in doubt,

Or out in space,

Squeeze a tube,

And save your face:

Prima-Shave.

(smiles)
That's silly, Billy.

CUT TO:

INT. PAYROL COMMAND

Auto-tracking orbit-corridor;

SIGNS PASSING: DACY reads aloud:

Rockets ready,

Going steady;

Win that race,

Shave your face:

Prima-Shave.

(smiles at)
That's funny, Daddy: Do you need a shave?

(strokes chin)
Nope: Still in the holding pattern.

CUT TO:

INT. SHEIK COMMAND

Auto-tracking orbit-corridor;

SIGNS PASSING: SHEIK#2 reads aloud, rhymes "even; beard":

A voice in heaven,

We have heard:

Keep it even;

Shave your beard:

Prima-Shave.

(puzzle mutual)
/ Messages? / From Allah?

Earth's horizon-tip glows enlarging into DAWN and SUN;

(points to dawn)
Oh, look!- Another day already!

I like, this kind of fasting: Every 90 minutes!

Americans have fast-food… We, have fast-fasting…!

CUT TO:

EXT. FLOPS COMMAND - (PREDAWN)

Other Shuttle+ET'S GLINT in sunlight a mile above;

SIGNS PASSING: (CONCURRENT)

Come up here;

Stay a while;

Comb up hair;

Shave in style:

Prima-Shave.

Shuttle E-T-A: Two minutes: Ready final burn; You should be seeing them.

Roger, Houston: S-T-S-Flops, ready for final burn-- no sign of them, though.

(looks out higher)
Isn't that them, up there-- the sun-glints?

INT. COMMAND - (CONTINUOUS)

(looks out higher)
Should be-- or headlights. Houston: We have them, visual!

We copy, Shuttle.

CUT TO:

EXT. 3 SHUTTLE+ET'S RENDEZVOUS - SUNRISE (NO MOON)

OMS-THRUSTERS close-up parallel orbits: Flops below coming up on right, final-burns; Payrol on left, half-burns; both yield as, Sheik above comes down between.

EXT. PAYROL COMMAND - (SUNRISE)

Other Shuttles are closing-in;

SIGNS PASSING: DACY (VO) reads aloud:

All star trekkers,

Be aster-riskers;

All start-wreckers,

Be after whiskers:

Prima-Shave.

(resumes)
This is fun, Daddy.

Yes, Dacy-dear: The race is about to begin: Keep an eye out for the Go sign.

EXT. FLOPS COMMAND

Shuttles VERNIER-trimming, line-up to nose-and-nose;

SIGNS PASSING: MARCIA (VO) reads aloud softly:

Missiles envied;

Rockets feared;

Shuttle up, and,

Shave your Beard:

Prima-Shave.

(resumes)
That sounds portentious.: (looks across left)
They're all lined-up ready, Bill.

CUT TO:

INT. SHEIK COMMAND

Alfaseti looks out at Flops unnoticing (right) … till--

SIGNS BEGIN PASSING:

/ 10

/ Last Gas Before Moon

/ 9

Flops looks (left), grins-salutes--

SIGNS:

/ Moon: 237,000 miles avg.

/ 8

/ No Hitchhiking

EXT. SHEIK COMMAND - RIGHT SIDE WINDOW - (AS CONTINUOUS)

Alfaseti slower left-salutes, growing a big grin; but as …

SIGNS REFLECT in his window: (CONCURRENT)

/ 7

/ Watch For Falling Comets

/ 6

/ Moon Or Bust

/ 5

Abruptly WINDOW WASHER WATER STREAMS-OUT and across, at …

INT. FLOPS COMMAND - (AS CONTINUOUS)

Stream (from left) … FROSTS-SNOWS windows left and front;

SIGNS QUICKLY BECOMING OBSCURED:

/ This Sign Intentionally Left Blank

/ 4

/ On Your Marks

(into Operation Manual)
I didn't know that!

His thick yellow "Space Shuttle Operation For Dummies";

SIGNS OBSCURED except passing on Marcia's far right:

/ 3

/ Get Ready

/ 2

/ Get Set

Marcia presses the button for-- WINDOW WIPERS, SCRAPING;

(notices)
I didn't know that.

LAST SIGNS LESS-OBSCURED:

/ 1

/ 0.5

/ GO

(searching right)
I think we've passed the Go-sign, Bill!-- There are no more signs!

Two Shuttles, ET-Engines on, pass Flops … VAPORIZING FROST…

(closes, sets Manual)
I'll have to reread the Manual--: (controls)
… Later … Let's go, Marcia!

Hurry, Bill.

SSMEs ROAR, seating them back in their seats.

We're going!: (keys Comm)
Houston: We're going!

We copy, Shuttle-Flops: The new millennium space-race has begun.

CUT TO:

INT. SHEIK COMMAND - LEAVING ORBIT

Snowed Flops Shuttle receding; they're laughing in tears--

(squeals)
Pffft! Did you see that?! Pffft!

ENGINE SPUTTERS-OUT to silence,- panel LIGHTS RED+YELLOW;

Stunned-blinking-about except Aide sleeping-off time-zones…

Payrol Shuttle precedes … then Flops passes and precedes …

(exasperates gestures)
Can't you mujahs fly, over, the buildings?! Like fearless moon-astronauts!: (thumbs Operation Manual)
What is this?!: (to Helm)
Fix, it!

Others look at each other;

(throws Manual to Aide)
You!

It misses high; 2/10-Sheiks nearest, jostle Aide,--

(slow to rouse)
Ungh …
Ungh …
Ungh…?

(pointing at Aide)
Outside!-- You!

(in disbelief)
Whah-- whah'd I do?!

And dives to the Airlock…

Get the engines restarted!

CUT TO:

EXT. PAYROL SHUTTLE+ET - LEAVING ORBIT, PASSES ONWARD

Payrol, Dacy, watching ahead.

CUT TO:

EXT. FLOPS SHUTTLE+ET - CHASING, PASSES ONWARD

Flops, Marcia, watching ahead.

CUT TO:

EXT. SHEIK SHUTTLE+ENERGIYA - TOP REAR, ENGINES - OFF

Two Shuttles, SSMEs full-glowing-big dots preceding far,

Aide in spacesuit, arab cape, GLIDES to the Energiya's far rear, until his securing rope limits-- he tugs at his end: just barely arms over the edge;- tap-taps his space-hammer on parts of the Engine:-- ICE BITS SCATTER, FLOATING AWAY;

A VENT of gas-blown snow;

ENGINES RESTART to transparent blaze, and shocks--

STRETCHING HIS ROPE!-- till he stands facing with angst--

Hot exhaust BLAZING AT HIS SPACESUIT and smoking his cape!

He squats; works his rope-tool back-down forward and safe …

INT. SHEIK COMMAND, ENGINES ON - OPERATION-LIT RESUMED

Engines roaring; Alfaseti standing telescopes the other Shuttles far ahead 60 deg. above his horizon.

(reports)
We have full thrust capacity, restored, Captain!

(eye in viewer)
Follow those shuttles!

Helm applies the engines, building thrust smoothly …

Throttle-up to maximum red line and five degrees above forward attitude for optimum parabolic-orbit burn!

Helm throttles-up full limit, SITTING DEEPER-- and toppling

(arm high statuesque)
Higher.

Helm puzzles brow, and controls HIGHER,-- seating Alfaseti.

Maintain five degrees over forward.

Helm shrugs a beat, and LOWERS to forward,-- loosing

(slips over his seat top)
Up! Higher! Sixty degrees!

Helm slaps his chest, and HIGHERS,-- flooring Alfaseti.

(points forward)
Lower! Forward; Five degrees!

Helm LOWERS,-- and hanging-hand-standing-upside-down,

(crawling hand-over-hand)
No! Higher! Sixty! Degrees!

Helm shrugs, HIGHERS,-- dropping Alfaseti behind his seat.

(points)
No! Lower! Five! Degrees!

Helm grits, LOWERS,-- hanging up

(grabs the armrests)
High-er!

Helm HIGHERS,-- inserting Alfaseti upside down.

(points)
Low-er!

Helm big-grins, LOWERS,-- but Alfaseti is stuck, legs up.

(points from under there)
The moon is below the horizon; the other shuttles are sixty degrees above!

Helm giddy freelance HIGHERS;-- Alfaseti leg-clasps seat;

(points)
The shuttles are ahead-and-leaving: We'll meet them both, and the moon, together: in two days!

Helm joyriding LOWERS,-- popping-up-horsey above his seat,

(from all-fours; erudite)
This is a race: Not a rally!

Helm mock-racer-gearshifts; HIGHERS,-- rump'ing Alfaseti.

(erudite)
Optimal trans-orbital injection is tangential to orbit velocity: It is celestial mechanics;-- with minimal corrections for starting late!

Helm trucker-double-clutches; LOWERS,-- pike-positioning,

(quick-thrusts his point)
I'mmm captain of this vessel!

Helm wild-salutes brow; HIGHERS,-- proper-seating Alfaseti, who quick-buckles-in;

(thrusts his, 3 points)
I'm the Engineer, the Navigator, and, the Mad Scientist:-- Three, against one!

Helm drops salute to flibber-lips; LOWERS;-- Both arms up,

(points, glares at them)
I!- Order!- Higher!

Helm inches-up salute; HIGHERS.

(repeat-points)
I belay that order! Lower! Lower! Lower!

Helm inches-down to cross-neck salute; grits; LOWERS.

(points)
Higher…!

Helm mock-jockey grapples control; HIGHERS.

(points)
Lower…!

Helm roller-coaster free-fall wows, LOWERS.

(points)
Hi-gher!

Helm yanks SO HIGH THE HANDLE COMES OFF; and he sinks down.

(clawing for stability)
Lo-wer!

Helm now low, helmet on, visor down, reinserts his handle.

EXT. REAR - SHEIK SHUTTLE+ENERGIYA - MOONRISE (CONTINUOUS)

Engines roaring;

V.O. Alfaseti, Engineer, yet arguing--

Hi-hi-hi-gher!

Shuttle pitches up;-- Aide SLAMS BRONCOBUSTER DOWN …

And, two-legged-flap-kick;

Lo-lo-lo-wer!

Shuttle bucks over;-- Aide SWINGS UP, PENDULATING high; his cape still trailing smolder slaps straight in the vacuum …

Hi-gher-gher-gher!

Shuttle pitches up;-- Aide PENDULATES DOWN-- SLAMS …

And, two-legged-flap kick;

Lo-wer-wer-wer!

Shuttle pitches over;-- Aide PENDULATES HIGH, Rodeo-handed…

FADE TO:

EXT. PAYROL SHUTTLE+ET - BIPOD STRUTS - ONWARD TO THE MOON

Strut BOLTS SHEAR … VERNIERS SPURT-- separating the ET …

EXT. PAYROL COMMAND, ET RECEDING TUMBLING LAZILY

Inside, Dacy plays zero-gee paddleball …

CUT TO:

INT. FLOPS SHUTTLE OFFICE - LIT

Long busy at a laptop …

(leans back, emotes)
I real-ly like this set-up: My, space-office-- sp'office-- spo-office:: (chuckles up)
Ahhh: The good old days of 65-hundred R-P-N:-- I wonder where all those Reversed-Polish Notations ended-up.: (a beat-- energizes)
Marcia!

Coming right in!

She enters floating upside down at the ceiling, behind--

(holds out voxbox)
Ready, sir.

(focused aloud)
Okay: Take this, down: We release Wind-Panes Accountant Micro-Manager on June Twelfth. That's Six-Twelve, Wham!-- Pitch it as, "Time flies like an arrow: Smash those flies in a-row, by accounting for every second spent on company time, with Meglo-Soft's -New!- Biz-Wind-Panes Accountant Micro-Man-Ager.": (turns)
Got all that down?: (far-tilts head)
Up?- Whatever?!

Yes, sir.

(looks at her voxbox)
And give it to Marketing for final revision:: (new subject)
I should get one of those myself: Does it transcribe to Times New Roman M-S?

Yes, sir.

(broad smiles)
Well-- you've earned your salary for today: Thank you, Marcia.

Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. You're: (and EXITS)
welcome, sir!

(quieter to self)
Yes sir, thank you sir, you're welcome sir,-- Y-S-T-Y-S-Y-W-S … yeasty-sea-wiz-- hmmm.

CUT TO:

INT. SHEIK COMMAND (NO ET-ENERGIYA)

Coasting steady, far behind; Alfaseti, Engineer, relate--

(peeved but talking)
When can we make up the difference?

We needn't make up much difference: We started on a later profile, and burned-off our fuel faster in lower orbit … We go the same distance, at slightly better velocity, to reach the same moon … We are five minutes east but the moon gravity will draw us together.

When, can we make up that, much difference?

That is the trouble: We are behind.

Yes: That is what I asked.

We need more thrust power and fuel to do that.

And where do we get more thrust power and fuel to do that?!

You sell more oil in exchange for more clean-burning hydrogen.

(exasperates)
Now you tell me?

Now you ask?

(beat)
Why don't we have enough already?!

We do, or did, or by the specifications, we did, or do.

Do we have a leak?

I have had no indication of a leak.

What then?!

I think, we are either under-powered, or over-weight.

Which is it?

Not easy to tell in the weightlessness of the heavens.

What's your guess?

I never guess-- but: If the Russian rocket engine specifications are consistent, accurate, honest, true, reliable, trustworthy, and …

(nods a beat,- prompts)
Annnnd?

Better than the American …

Then?- We're overweight?

(nods Yes)
Yup!

(thinks aloud)
Weights on level ocean are the same at all latitudes, But less when the moon is closer; Continental weights are greater because land is denser, But less near mountains that float; Avoirdupois is heavier than Troy in gold pounds; Humidity, adds weight; Launch latitude, cosine, rotation-velocity-boost deficit, But orbital velocity matched at Go. … Breakfast Max? Lucky charms? Space-ballast? … Toilet loads? … Sabotage!?

Engineer shrugs not.

(eyeing Engineer's body)
Think of something: That's why you're hired.

(worries)
Alright-- alright-- I'm thinking,-- of some things!

OUTSIDE HATCH OPENS,-- and shuts.

Faint HISS of airlock,-- and finishes.

INSIDE HATCH OPENS,--

Spacesuited, cape burnished smoldering, Aide enters,- removes his helmet; his face drenched in sweat--

(breathing heavy)
Hi-- I'm bushed!

So what's new?

(EXITS to below cabin)
I need a shower.

That is news.

INT. LOWER DECK - LIT

Aide de-suits, and steps into the bulging shower-tube;--

O.C. FEMALE GIGGLES in the steam-shower;

I really need this steam-shower, ladies.

(coy)
/ Be our guest! / This smells heavenly! / An eee-male massage!

Ooooh!

More female GIGGLES (OC).

CUT TO:

INT. FLOPS COMMAND (NO ET)

Marcia (OC) is here; Flops (OS) is below deck.

(calls out to below)
Bill-y!?

Yes, Marcia-y!?

Would you turn the Shuttle about, so I can get more sunlight in here?

(up, goes to controls)
Sure thing.

Marcia is sunbathing, -trying,- applying lotion:

Thank you, Billy.

You're welcome, Marcia-y.

CUT TO:

EXT. PAYROL COMMAND (NO ET)

Inside, Dacy floating, watches TV: a soapy retch-drama …

CUT TO:

INT. SHEIK COMMAND

O.S. TV-like faint female GIGGLES from below deck--

(faint)
/ Uhnh-- uhnh! / Where have you been all day? / We've been waiting for, hours! / Turn around!

Alfaseti puzzles.

(pondering)
T-V … Ten pounds;-- twenty, maybe.

(faint: below)
Not that way!

O.S. More female GIGGLES…

Alfaseti wide-eyed, dives to exit below; Engineer follows…

CUT DOWN TO:

INT. LOWER DECK - (as continuous)

Sheik, Engineer, enter to GIGGLES (OC) in the shower--

Do that again!

Uhnh-- Uhnh!

Oooh,-- that feeeels gooood!

(giggles)
Uhnh-- Uhnh!

(very loud)
Ah-hemah…!

SILENCE: Aide, (5) Newswomen, lower the curtain to their unclad shoulders.

Definitely not, within, prescribed Russian engineering specifications for payloads to the moon.

Alfaseti glares at Engineer.

(subdues worry to Aide)
Is he going to cast us into the frozen darkness of outer space?

Alfaseti glares at the Newswomen.

FADE TO BLACK:

EXT. LONG LINE OF SHUTTLES (NO ET'S) - 40K MI BEYOND EARTH

Waltzing to the moon … Payrol Shuttle passes just west;

Daddy: How can you have a race if you're not, busy,- racing?

Racing in outer space is different than in the movies, Dacy-dear: … In outer space you just start up, and glide the rest of the way.

Isn't planet Earth gliding through space with the sun in the galaxy?-- Is it racing somewhere?

Some people think so.

How do you know who will win?

I think that's why we have democratic elections.

Oh.

Flops Shuttle parallels east … but slower, farther away;

(building excitement)
Tomorrow, is our big first day, in outer space!

What's big about it, Billy?

(sobering)
Space, itself, is big … so, the day must be, big?

I thought spaces were big only if you wanted to fill them.

I'll buy that, -with a significant margin-… What would you like to do?

I can start, by calling my friends and relatives….

(begins to worry)
Is NASA going to let us do this?

(continues)
I should-do some early Christmas shopping on the Internet … and I must check on the turkey for our homecoming dinner party.

Don't you have a friend doing that? I mean, checking the turkey dinner?

The bird is frozen in microwavable picnic-foam in the oven, programmed to automatically thaw several hours before we get back and slow-cook to perfection … I just need to monitor its progress.

That's clever … You have an oven WAP?

Yes; and a fisheye webcam in the kitchen.

That's really, clever, Marcia.

That's how I do it from the office.

(connects)
Oh.

Sheik Shuttle is still late and TELESCOPICALLY distant …

(quietish)
He's been sitting so very still like that,-- for hours.

(quietish)
He is a thinking-man's Arab.

INT. SHEIK COMMAND - (AS CONTINUOUS)

Aide and Newswomen are peeking from the floor hatch;

(quietish to Aide)
Is he counting to ten?

(a beat)
He is calculating the dowries.

(not all catching on)
/ Oh? / Oh. / Oh!

Alfaseti is sitting chin-on-hand elbow-on-knee, thinking.

CUT OUT TO:

EXT. OUTER SPACE FAR BEHIND THE SHUTTLES

And onward to the moon, glide three receding … dots …

EXT. PAYROL COMMAND - 60K MI BEYOND EARTH

Inside, Dacy dons her cooking apron and chef hat.

INT. PAYROL COMMAND - (AS CONTINUOUS)

Payrol, Dacy, in chef hats, aprons, reach into the zero-g glove-box … and prepare a gourmet dinner floating inside;

A cooked fish floats-by inside, sideways weightless …

Dacy cleavers 2 Cadillac pears, before paring;

Slice that cadillac real thin.

Using the paring knife?

Yes, the different word,- pare.: (watching)
Thin layers-- that's right.

(slicing the pear)
You're the only haut-chef I know who sub-merges split pears in chicken stock.

(a beat)
You're preparing your psychology report for Home Economics.

(like HAL9000)
"Yes, of course, I am."

A remote-thermometers panel CHIRP-CHIRPS;--

"Just a moment, Just a moment."

(grins; reads panel)
Dacy, you set the 3-M ragout for pork.

I thought you want the hottest of the three meats: It's not, Goldilocks' three-bear stew.

I suppose you're right, but fish cooks fast;-- We'll add the salmon broth'ers last, next time.

Okay.

(reads his list)
Dacy: Why did you X-on my lemon-cheese curdle?

(a beat)
It was an afte'thought: I don't eat rotten milk.

I suppose you're right, but lemon juice curdles without spoiling it.

Oh? Sorry-- You'd better speak to my school cafeteria board about that at your next P-T-A meeting.

Can do.

(a beat)
I'm glad I have, a haut-chef for a dad: else I'd grow-up eating pecan cookies dipped in spaghetti sauce, over vanilla ice cream.

(mock shocked)
Is that, what they teach you in Home Economics?!

Not exactly-- but it's better than what the other kids made.

Which is …

Oh, Ginger-ale-chocolate-ice-cream floats with silver sprinkles.

He's wide-eyed doubly mock-shocked,- resuming preparations.

CUT TO:

INT. FLOPS VIDEO-GAME ROOM - GAME LIGHTS

Flops fancies his video game HAL2009 on his triple-wide-PC: parking a long spaceship inside an asteroid-like base while exchanging cannonfire, without crashing;

(peeks in)
Sir: It's time to retire and let your automation take control for a while.

(almost scoring)
Yes … yes … ahhh!-- well: Next try! O-kay!: (hands up oscillating)
First you call it, Winning: Then you call it, Quits!: (EXITS past)
I don't like to lose.

(smiles)
Yes, sir: Genesis is like that, sir.

They exit, leaving the game running fully autonomously …

INT. SHEIK COMMAND - 160K MI TO MOON (80K FROM EARTH)

10-Sheiks in heavy parkas can't find any sunset outside--

(sweating, wiping)
Are you, sure, this is the right direction?- You said, Bring your arctic-snow-parka, It is very cold in outer space!

(at space map, quieter)
I, think, so;- We are traveling in a straight line, Aren't we?

(wiping, yawns)
We cannot have wandered too, far, off: We can still see the moon.

(yawns; checks watch)
It is way-passed 90 minutes:- Where is the sunset, now?

(yawning)
We missed it-- six hours ago!

(yawns; points to Earth)
There, Behind the Earth;- and it is staying there.

(drowsing)
Maybe, we need to think locally, while acting globally,- And take the darkside of the Space Shuttle as our sundown …

They all glare at him in disappointed disbelief.

INT. FLOPS COMMAND - (160K MI TO MOON)

Flops, Marcia, dine weightless … She breaks the silence--

(7-chew beat)
Are we not speaking because nobody can hear us in outer space?

Room temperature and conversation seems cool: It's been a long day.: (a beat)
Time interval-- whatever.

(polites)
I kind-of miss having waiters.

(retabling floaters)
Me, too.

FADE TO:

INT. PAYROL LOWER DECK - DIM, SMOKESTACK-NIGHTLIGHT

Payrol in black pajamas, straps Dacy, in nighty, snug in her zero-G sleep-bag across bear-railroad-decor tracks …

Daddy: Should one of us stay and watch on the Command Deck?

No need, Dacy-dear: This ship can fly itself;-- NASA space platforms fly autopilot, these days: We just lock-in the approved digital-secure interplanetary flight-plan, and leave the rest to the computers-- not a space-jacker in the solar system can change the plan … and you need your sleep.

Okay, Daddy: I'll ask my teachers at school, when we get home.: (a beat)
Daddy: Why does NASA put men in a Space Shuttle if it can fly itself?

Dacy-dear: Men must go there and see this and do that … automation makes busywork easier; Men are like little Caesars: Veni, Vidi, Vici.

Okay, Daddy: I understand.

He expects more challenge.

Good night, Daddy.

Good night, Dacy-dear: Pleasant dreaming.

He EXITS, tossing her clothes in the Carbo-fibe hamper and keying THE LIGHTS AUTODIM TO her decor-nightlight only--

FADE TO DIM:

INT. SPACE-BEDROOM - FLOPS SHUTTLE - ELECTRO-CANDLE-LIT

Decor is paint-by-RGB-hexadecimal-numbers wallpaper: waves, flowers, moose, teddy bears; a reading lamp; Internet-TV plays an opposite wall; Flops in bed-shorts and shirt.

LIGHT goes out in the adjacent dressingroom;- Marcia in pink-and-B&W-spaceshuttles pajamas, enters--

(tentatively)
This looks really cosy, Bill: I could sleep for a week: I'm bushed,: (floats-in, and yawns)
to utterly, vitiated, exhaustion …

(eyes suspiciously)
Really!?

(excuses)
It's not like I'm gored, to death: That'd be longer than a week …

He signals her to wait, and pulls a dangling cord-line:

THE BED INFLATES LIKE A GLOVE sandwiching them together;--

(surprised)
Oh-h-h! What will the wife say?!

This is before I was married.

Oh: I hadn't thought of it that way.

(conciliatory)
Women never do: Which is why they don't generally do as well in the Marketing-Inventions-Push Department.

(maidenish)
Is that, what the M.I.P. stands for?! … I always thought MIP was Middle-Management's Department of: (snide)
Mostly Important Persons.

Hmmm: Remind me in the morning, to put-out an e-memo to the Justice Department about that: Proves, not even the best of us know all what's what.

(sleepier)
Mmmm; sure: Whatever you say, Bill.: (snuggles)
I always thought women were necessary as mothers of invention.

Yeah,- but how do they get to be mothers? That's the next big app!

Yes, but all big apps are wireless, today: How's that going to work?

He think-frowns.

(continues)
Blowing kisses at Mount Saint Helens, won't start an avalanche in the Swiss Alps,-- though admittedly it was a good try.

Hungh?!: (beat)
I don't know, Marcia: Meglo-Soft hasn't invented it-- yet.

(epitomizes)
Well, necessity is the mother of invention.

And mothers are the invention of necessity.

(politely arms around)
That's a full-duplex pun, Bill.

(big grins away)
That was my second big app!

(tiredly)
I think we started there already.: (a light kiss, and head-against, dozes)
Bill Flops, you're my hero.

(quietly)
Yes: Payrolls, too.

They adjust embrace and dose sweet moments as the AUTODIMMER LOWERS THE LIGHTS to a single BIG-RED-EYE-NIGHT-LIGHT on the wall (like HAL9000), plus game lights flickering next room …

DREAM-WAVY FOCUS:

REMOTE-WEIRD-KLAXON sounds repeatedly in the game room …

Flops stunned awake, double-jerks the rip-cord:--

THE BED DEFLATES loosely, leaving both free to float.

(half-rouses)
What is it, Bill?-- Is it morning already? I don't remember sleeping half a wink …: (groggy to the window)
It's still dark outside, Bill-- you: (and cuddles-up again)
set the alarm too early.

It's the system, Marcia-- It's calling to me: I can hear it!

(drowsy)
The System Is Calling? I never read that one, Bill.

It's on King's writing pad.

I can't wait; But, How do you know?

I have backdoor keys to everything in the world.

What's the system saying to you, Bill?

I don't know: I never learned to read the Matrix;-- I'm just the Gates-keeper.

Why don't you ask it to interpret for you, Bill.

You're right, Marcia:-- Sometimes I think you know more about computers than being a secretary.

It's like the same job, Bill:-- You either use it or you fake it.

(a beat, orders)
Hal!

(psychiatric silky)
Good evening, Bill.

What's the problem, Hal?!

(like HAL9000)
"Everything is running quite smoothly," Bill.

Turn off the alarm in the game room, please, Hal.

BIG-RED-EYE STARES.

(a beat)
Hal: Turn off the alarm in the game room, please!: (2 beats-- to Flops)
I don't think he can hear us … He's just an over-simulated carburetor.

But he'd be a real gas, at a party.

(beat, smooth pique)
I can't do that, Marcia: It is a Top Priority warning of impending doom - doom - doom!

Hal!-- What are you telling us?!

POV: Big-Red-Eye: Flops and Marcia, COMPUTER-INNER-SOUND:--

Would you like me to translate into Spanish, Senyor Cuenta se-Tira?

(mispronounces: "noise")
Plain English, Hal-- like you were trained in Sub-urbana, Illi-noise.

(a beat, smooth)
"Just a moment, Just a moment: I've just picked up a fault in the A-E-35 unit: It will go one-hundred percent failure in seventy-two hours."

POV OFF: In-room view:

(near-sotto voce annoyed)
Like mainframe-father like P-C-son.

Is that the unit producing the alarm, Hal?!

No, Bill: The A-E-35 unit is located outside, at the back.

"Will it remain fully operational until it fails, Hal?"

Yes, Bill: "It will remain fully operational for seventy-two hours."

Bill: Seventy-two hours: That's the day we get home:- Ask Hal, what you should do next.

Yes, Marcia;--: (a beat)
Hal: What should we do next?!

You should replace the unit with a backup, And test it until it fails.

INT. COMMAND - THE AIRLOCK - EQUIVOCAL DREAMY LIT

Flops dons his spacesuit upper, over his sleep-wear …

(looking out-and-in)
Do you have to go out there, Bill? It's so cold and empty and eery …

Yes, I must go outside and replace the A-E-35 unit, Marcia:-- this is necessary.

ON UPPER BODY ONLY, AND FOLLOW:

Flops seals the top of his spacesuit….

(and returns to help)
Okay-- sure, Bill: Just be careful: You don't have a space-pod, -though that probably wouldn't do you any good:-- Just you, yourself, and the cold, empty, vacuum… of trans-geo-lunar outer space…

She helps seat-and-seal his helmet carefully … Flops test-tilts it … Checks air sucking-breathing… Nods Big Okay … And ups (FOLLOW UPPER) and enters--

THE AIR LOCK

Shuts the hatch, with its torso-high window …

And reaches for the pressure-switch…

Marcia LOOKS-IN:

CU FOREHEAD: REFLECTED VIRTUAL-TIME-CONCEPT HER MIND'S-EYE terrible-thought envisions Flops, as pressure lowers, suit billowing … POPS the middle cinch, and BLOWS-OFF the torso rising helmet-first to the ceiling, BLABBERY-deflating like a balloon… And he just stands there arms-up looking oopsy…

REALITY: She blink-blinks--

(slaps window, pleads)
Bill-- stop-- wait: Bill: Don't go!

I have to do this, Marcia:- this is what I was born, to do.

(slaps again)
No-- wait-- not yet, Bill…! I have a top-priority-emergency-message-!

He yields… Comes… And reopens the hatch, standing waiting …

ON HIS TORSO: Hatch fully opens … He speaks--

(cooly)
What's, the trouble, Marcia?

FOLLOW HER HAND CUE: to include his shorts--

(points)
Sir:- The cold thin vacuum of outer space, sucks real-hard: At the very least you should wear longer pants.

(looks 2 beats)
Hmmm-- yes: You're right again….: (a beat)
Boy, Marcia:-- Without you, I'd be lost, in space…!: (understates)
This could have been enervating….

(calm smiles)
That's what secretaries are for, Bill.

He dons his space-suit bottom …

CUT AWAY TO:

INT. PAYROL COMMAND - 150K MI TO MOON - BOOKLIGHT, CONTROLS

Payrol, robe over pajamas, slippers, a drink, is reading late, STOCK QUOTES FOR BILLIONAIRES, thoughtfully smiling…

(pauses, practice)
You can never be too personal: Just too loud….: (reads, and aloud)
The bottom line is, Sweetness: Make it last….: (reads aloud)
Moderation is the soul of wit: Part with it sparingly….: (reads, and aloud)
People passing laugh and say, Get a job, knowing-well the hard-part, is getting that job themselves….: (reads aloud)
There's no-such-thing as a double-standard… It is a triple-standard: There's the right, way, The wrong, way, Plus, the way the competition does it….: (page-- and reads aloud)
Three things are worth living-for: 1. Doing, what is worth writing; 2. Writing, what is worth reading; and 3. Reading, what is worth doing….: (reads, and aloud)
Failure, can be corrected only by a triple-effort: One to stop failing, plus two because one first failed….: (reads, and aloud)
Self-discipline, means managing and relegating your immediate success….: (reads aloud)
Micromanagement, means, Giving your engineers, room to act themselves….: (reads aloud)
Micromanagement, --does not-- mean, avoiding bigger, responsibilities….: (reads, and aloud)
We must go beyond the acceptance of failure or we're liable to becoming well,-unknowns, in that business….: (reads, and aloud)
Job-creation is easy: A millionaire will invent the work of hundreds; A billionaire the work of thousands….

Shifts, sips, reads-on…

(resumes aloud)
Interest, is vapor-money not minted nor printed-- but smells like money on the books…. Vapor-pressure comes from the temperature of real-money: Steam-- those Presidents…!: (reads a beat, aloud)
An active money market uproots, all evils: Look, before cornering one….: (reads, and aloud)
Competition: You can never beat the best, but you can always do better.: (reads, and aloud)
If you are going to move the world, be sure to invent a new calendar….: (reads, and aloud)
You can always work for me, until I have a better way to run the firm….: (reads, and aloud)
Little people, pay the taxes-- Give them that little, extra, to do so….: (reads aloud)
If you look at money closely-enough it will block-out everything else….: (reads aloud)
A child of wealth is well-educated, if she learns nothing less than, to buy goods, not evils….: (reads aloud)
The words coming from the mouth of an employee ordering wine-- defile her before the wine hits her lips.: (reads, and aloud)
If employees can buy better outside services, they will work harder, do more, and earn likewise… Try, them.: (reads aloud)
Think outside the hole: You can sink money into a hole, but you can't buy, the hole….: (reads aloud)
For as long, as you think, like, an idiot, you will act like, an idiot.

Big-smiles at that, stretches, sips, turns out the light-- and looks out the window at the stars… TILL EYES ADJUST…

'An active money market uproots all evils: Look, before cornering one'.

A view of Earth in the recedingly small distance 150K mi.

CUT AWAY TO:

INT. SHEIK LOWER DECK - SHADOWY INCENSE-SMOKEY PARTY (3 AM)

AD LIB, Newswomen disco-belly-dancing, serve, sing, cook …

(eating, consoles Aide)
Allah, will forgive you….

They party on, in their "wee morning hours" bliss …

FADE OUT

Petry System Family Wision USA

presents

(a spec'script)

The Great Space Race
-of the twenty-first century-

a space science fiction romantic adventure comedy, PG-13 feature

Mr. Raymond Kenneth Petry, Strategic-Director
a Wision--SesQuaTercet USA production

Three eccentric billionaires launch three space shuttles
in a great space-race to the moon backside and back

"And they're off ... way-way-way-way off!"

[index][script][music][sets&settings][budget][prospectus][roles]

[Music specified in this screenplay is the Strategic-Director's selection]

Act 2

'Three-way schemes'

[act 3]

digital music [var] © [tbd; extant works, Screenwriter's selections and annotations; not otherwise representative of project Sesquatercet]

The theory of measurement propounded in this work is not to be cited (as) considering contraband or corpses; Nor are the intellectual appurtenances hereïn to be used for or in the commission of crimes against persons, peoples, properties, or powers (States).

© 2001-2010 Mr. Raymond Kenneth Petry

Petry System Family Wision USA

presents

(a spec'script)

The Great Space Race -of the twenty-first century-

a space science fiction romantic adventure comedy, PG-13 feature

Mr. Raymond Kenneth Petry, Strategic-Director a Wision--SesQuaTercet USA production

Three eccentric billionaires launch three space shuttles in a great space-race to the moon backside and back

"And they're off ... way-way-way-way off!"

[index][script][music][sets&settings][budget][prospectus][roles]

[Music specified in this screenplay is the Strategic-Director's selection]

Act 2

'Three-way schemes'

[act 3]

digital music [var] © [tbd; extant works, Screenwriter's selections and annotations; not otherwise representative of project Sesquatercet]

The theory of measurement propounded in this work is not to be cited (as) considering contraband or corpses; Nor are the intellectual appurtenances hereïn to be used for or in the commission of crimes against persons, peoples, properties, or powers (States).

© 2001-2010 Mr. Raymond Kenneth Petry

The Great Space Race
-of the twenty-first century-

Mr. Raymond Kenneth Petry, Strategic-Director
a Wision--SesQuaTercet USA production

Three eccentric billionaires launch three space shuttles
in a great space-race to the moon backside and back