Watch your step.
All Pulsar Four mining personnel
report to the resource expedition office, level seven.
Not on a four-hour layover.
Operator. Can I help you?
Phone home. Phone home.
Please deposit $6 million for the first 3 minutes.
All lunar passengers,
please check with Passenger Processing, level three.
That's us.
Can Scraps sit with us, Dad?
We'll check, Jimmy. The moon's a long way.
- Can I help you folks? - Thanks.
Is that your puppy, son?
Yeah. Scraps is going to the moon with us.
No dogs are allowed on the shuttle.
I'm afraid Scraps will have to be shot.
He shot him! He shot Scraps!
Just joking!
Blanks. See? Scraps is fine.
I says, "Whenever you're in town, call me."
Dinner in first class will be bean sprouts and broccoli.
Fine.
- Chanting or non-chanting? - Chanting, please.
Don't worry about the Viatex account.
We have a buy-or-sell option.
- Watch their legal people, Bob. - Will do.
And Bob...feed the cats.
Will do.
I'm sorry, ma'am,
you're only allowed one carry-on.
All right.
Bye-bye. Thank you.
For the best computer officer on the lunar mission.
Simon, you shouldn't have! I guess I'm a pretty lucky woman.
Women and the space program have come far,
but after the wedding, no more complicated computers for my girl.
They've offered me a chance to head the computer division.
You'll head up the baby division for Mr and Mrs Simon Kurtz.
That's an order, Lieutenant.
Where's the passenger processing lounge for the lunar shuttle?
Concourse lounge "C", fourth level.
- Thanks. - Next.
How long is my parking valid?
- Two hours. - Thank you.
- What's the fastest animal on earth? - The cheetah. Next?
- Should I fake my orgasms? - Y es.
Thank you.
This is mission control.
We have clearance on two-niner for shuttle pre-launch checks.
You are clear to descend to 1 5,000 and hold until further notice.
A high-pressure front's moving over Denver.
56 in the valley, 72 at the beaches.
The Supremes hit the top of the charts
with this really big one, Baby Love.
I have a collect call for Michael Reese from his mother.
This is only part of our mission control.
Right here we have re-entry for all Earth-orbit ships.
That's handled by the computers and simulated by these video units.
Now if you'll step this way...
Phoenix 6, you're programmed on R two-niner and computer locked.
Computer lock acknowledged. Over and out.
Well, gentlemen, looks like it's out of our hands now.
- Janet, they need you in control. - Right.
Shit!
Commissioner, we both know that shuttle needs
another month of pre-launch testing.
Forget it, Bud.
- But Commissioner... - I said forget it.
Mayflower is the first lunar shuttle flying from a commercial terminal,
and the boys on the board want her on schedule!
What do they know about safety?
The boys on the board are under heavy pressure
from the boys downtown.
I'll be the one they crucify if that shuttle screws up.
Not so fast. Frisk her!
These navigational charts seem OK.
I don't think there'll be any problem.
Hey, why the long face?
I'm still worried about the shuttle.
You saw Ted's report, and he is the program's top pilot.
Was the program's top test pilot until his mental breakdown.
Sweetheart, the opinion of a madman doesn't impress me or anyone else.
The trial proved that.
Ted Striker's part of your past.
It's for your own good.
Please, may I have this bedpan? I need it. I'll bring it right back.
Please, Mr Goldberg!
The company's doing pretty well.
The figures for the last quarter show a 40% increase.
Visiting hours are over.
Doctor, will my brother be able to come home to the farm soon?
It's hard to say. He still thinks he's an accountant.
You must believe me... invest in money markets!
And how are we this evening, Ted?
All right, I guess.
You can take off now. We'll finish up tomorrow.
I thought you might like a paper.
Thanks.
- My God! - What's wrong?
They're launching the XR-2300! Know what that is?
The muffler bracket for a '79 Pinto?
No. That's the XR-2200. The 2300 is the lunar shuttle.
It's got to be stopped! Don't you understand?
They put me here to keep me out of the way.
The first step to mental hygiene is admitting you're sick.
Now listen, Ted. Our only concern is your condition.
Your alpha scan reading seems to be levelling off.
Is that a good sign?
It does the job.
I can't stand it! I refuse to pay $2,000 a day
for a hospital bed, rotten food, horrible nurses, rotten doctors!
What's his problem? The man's obviously crazy.
By the way, I spoke to Elaine this morning.
Elaine? Was she here?
No. She called and asked me to tell you that she's marrying Simon.
Tell me the whole story from the beginning.
After all, that's why I'm here.
There's really nothing to tell.
My story is no different than anyone else's story.
I'm sure you've heard it a thousand times.
It all started during the war.
I lost most of my squadron over Macho Grande.
Planes, too.
You're too low...
After the war, I couldn't go near anything with a pair of wings.
Until fate dropped me in the seat of a 767 into Chicago with no crew.
It's funny how fate can make heroes out of cowards.
After that came the job offers, then the publicity...
..then the crash and the trial.
Order! Order!
Now this.
Well, there's more, but I'm sure you'd all be bored by it.
No, no, no. Continue.
This is mission control,
in "T" minus one hour, 43 minutes ground crew report to stations.
This is Mayflower 1, get me the sarge!
Hey, Sarge! Hold up!
Here it is.
Give me that radio.
Kruger, this is the sarge.
There's no way this wire passed inspection without Simon Kurtz' OK.
What the hell's going on?
Patch up the damage. Get that ship ready to fly.
- That's an order, mister! - You got it, mister,
but you tell your boys on the board that this thing stinks of kickback.
You heard it, boys. What do you say?
Screw him!
Ted Striker was right when he test-piloted that sucker,
and what did he get for telling the truth?
A one-way ticket to the funny farm!
We don't have much time. Let's move.
Thank you.
May I help you?
Y es. I'd like this Time and Newsweek and a Lifesaver and...
the second time bomb on the right, please.
Certainly.
- There. - Thank you.
- Will there be anything else, sir? - No.
Hi, Grandma Rudy!
How good to see you!
Just a few more hours to lift-off.
I'm very excited, Simon.
- Guess this is a first for you. - No. I've been excited before.
Ted, what are you doing here?
- Are you on that shuttle? - Both of us.
When we return, we're getting married.
Elaine, it has to be stopped.
Ted, the invitations have already gone out.
No, the flight must be stopped.
Come on, sweetheart.
Simon, give me a moment with Ted alone.
All right. You've got exactly 1 0 minutes till we board.
I'd watch my step if I were you.
Ted, this whole thing's all in your mind.
You should have never left the hospital.
Elaine, whatever happened to us?
Ted, I guess I'll always love you, but I need Simon.
He's stable and a good provider, and I need that.
He doesn't run away from every challenge.
He doesn't let every little setback eat him up inside.
Now goodbye, Ted.
Gentlemen, I'd like you to meet your captain...Captain Oveur.
Gentlemen, welcome aboard.
Your navigator, Mr Unger and first officer, Mr Dunn.
- Unger. - Oveur.
- Dunn.
Gentlemen, let's get to work.
Unger, didn't you serve under Oveur in the air force?
Not directly. Technically, Dunn was under Oveur, and I was under Dunn.
So, Dunn, you were... under Oveur and over Unger.
That's right. Dunn was over Unger, and I was over Dunn.
See? Dunn and I were under Oveur, even though I was under Dunn.
Dunn was over Unger, and I was over Dunn.
Do you have any tickets for the shuttle?
There haven't been any available seats for weeks now, sir.
What you want? I got pairs and singles!
Check 'em out, y'all! 400-dollar lunar shuttle tickets.
Smokin'...what you want? Lunar shuttle tickets - $400.
I got smokin', non-smokin', first class, coach, economy,
by the aisle, by the window.
Take it easy, my man. Lunar shuttle tickets!
Hi. Thank you.
Three of you to the left.
- Hi. Can I take your case? - No.
- Howdy, girl. - Hello.
Keep that thing moving.
- How's it going? - Everything's fine, Sarge.
Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle! Ted Striker.
Jack, I got a bad feeling in my gut about this mission.
Number two checks.
What's happenin', bro?
Atmosphere control OK.
Atmosphere control...check.
- Antigravity check. - All right.
- Checks out in positive mode, sir. - Check.
- Checks out in negative mode, sir. - Check.
Neutral balance seems all right, sir.
- Good. That should do it. - Antigravity off, sir.
Hope this weather doesn't give us a problem.
Mr Dunn, what's your temperature reading?
98.6, sir.
That sounds normal.
Sweetheart, you should have gone before we got on the plane.
Sir, you're in the wrong seat. That's mine.
Elaine, wait. Listen to me.
Why can't you just let me live my life?
It's not just your life. It's everyone on board this ship!
We must stop this flight.
Ted, we're taking off.
Why don't you trust me any more?
You're not the man you were. You shouldn't have left the hospital.
Please, take your seat.
Well, it looks like that weather's starting to clear.
Satellite photos look clear over Wyoming and Connecticut.
- We just heard from Detroit. - What about Reno and Buffalo?
Clear, but check the New Jersey suburbs.
Mayflower 1, you're clear on two-niner to taxi to launch position.
Roger. Ready to taxi. Over.
"T" minus 30 seconds and counting...
Mark "T" minus 20 seconds.
Ignition.
"T" minus 9...
8...7...
6...5...
4...3...
2...1...
You have lift-off, Mayflower 1! Acknowledge.
Roger, Control. This is Mayflower 1 - acknowledge lift-off.
We'll be serving breakfast in a few minutes.
- Will all of you be eating? - Y es, thanks.
Jimmy, when you're finished, you can come up front and see the cockpit.
Gee, that'll be neat.
I'm glad they let Scraps ride with us.
Scraps will love the moon.
Will things be much different on the moon?
It'll be terrific - a whole new world, new kids to play with...
So no more headlines about the rape trial?
How many kids get a chance to live on another planet?
No kids yelling, "Your old man's a psychopathic sex pervert"?
So I made a mistake. Anyway, she was asking for it.
They're all asking for it all the time!
Dad never slaps me around at home. It must be his coffee.
No. I've been serving Dad decaf.
Maybe he's just an asshole.
You know, dear? This reminds me of the first train trip we ever took -
out to your mother's house, remember?
How could I forget?
You were so nervous about meeting my mama.
And I declare, you were pacing the aisle
all the way from St Louis to Sioux Falls.
And remember when we hopped in the family car
and drove all the way to Woodstock?
That was a time.
And you got that bad acid and didn't come down for two weeks.
You kept telling everyone that you were Jesus Christ,
and then you jumped off a roof 'cause you thought you could fly.
- What a bummer. - No shit.
You look a little green. Are you all right, young man?
You know, some people get airsick, but I never do.
I must have an iron constitution.
- I'm all right. - Good.
I guess what's really bothering me is my whole life.
I really can't figure where Elaine and I went wrong.
You know what it's like when two people share the same space.
Something happens. Your vibes go out of synch.
I thought we shared a very special kind of love.
I'm not sure I know what love is any more.
I guess it all started at the trial.
They had to cover up for the crash, so they made me the scapegoat.
I had no one to turn to.
I'm sure you've had the same experience yourself.
I couldn't believe what was happening to me.
I think it's important we establish a few facts
so these people can make a fair decision.
First, were you not the chief test pilot for the lunar shuttle XR-2300?
Y es.
On the fifth of October this year, that shuttle crash-landed.
Were you not the pilot on that flight?
Y es, but I wasn't...
And, Mr Striker, is it not true
that that crash was a direct result of your incompetence?
No! The problem was with that ship, not with me.
The wiring was shorting out under high temperatures.
That thing was a flying deathtrap.
The fact is, gentlemen, nothing serious was wrong with that ship.
Ted Striker folded up on the approach.
That's a lie!
Order! Order!
On March 5, 1 980, flight 209 into Chicago lost its crew in midair.
And on that fateful night, Ted Striker saved that plane.
I'd like to call one of the passengers from that flight,
if it pleases the court.
Do you swear on the Constitution
to tell the whole truth, and nothing but?
I do.
Would you describe, in your own words, what happened that night?
Mr. Striker performed exceptionally
The passengers were very concerned
The pilots were incapacitated
So Mr. Striker took control
And landed that plane safely
Golly!
I know I wouldn't be alive today if it wasn't for Mr Striker.
I find it difficult even now to think about that night over Chicago.
Please try, Mrs Hammen. It's very important.
Well...
we lost the crew...
and...
the food poisoning made us all very ill.
I lost control. We all did.
And then...the bad weather...
And the lightning...
I've got to get out of here!
Calm down! Get a hold of yourself!
Stewardess, please, let me handle this.
I've got to get out!
Calm down. Now get back to your seat.
Calm down! Get a hold of yourself!
Doctor, you're wanted on the phone. Everything's going to be all right.
Now just calm down.
I've got to get out of here!
This is very important!
Let the court handle this!
Will you please control yourself?
Bailiff, Valium.
I flew with Striker during the war.
I'll never forget the night we bombed Macho Grande.
Striker was a squadron leader.
He brought us in low, but he couldn't handle it.
Buddy couldn't handle it. Was Buddy in your crew?
Buddy was the bombardier, but Striker couldn't handle it.
- And he went to pieces. - Andy went to pieces?
Andy was the navigator. Buddy went to pieces.
- It was awful, how he came unglued. - Howie came unglued?
No, Howie was the best tail gunner in the outfit. Buddy came unglued.
- And he bailed out? - No! Andy hung tough. Buddy bailed.
How we survived was a miracle.
Then Howie survived.
No. Afraid not. We lost Howie the next day.
Over Macho Grande?
No. I don't think I'll ever get over Macho Grande.
Those wounds run...pretty deep.
Ted and I were very close once.
We had the kind of relationship
where we laughed and laughed and laughed all the time.
Do you know what that's like?
Yes. Yes, I do.
Then things started to come apart. He was obsessed with that shuttle.
He started to talk about it all the time, even at night in bed,
and I guess that's when the real problems started.
Please elaborate.
Well...
at first...
sex between us was a wonderful experience -
the way he touched me...
He was so gentle.
He'd unbutton my blouse...
and then...
We drifted apart. I'm sorry. I can't go on.
At the request of this court,
Mr Striker has undergone a psychiatric examination.
The court calls Dr Franklin Stone.
Can you give your impression of Mr Striker?
I don't do impressions. My training is in psychiatry.
Of course.
In your opinion, Doctor, was Ted Striker competent to fly the shuttle?
The defendant suffers from chronic psychological stress
and in a pressure situation can snap like that.
- Like that? - That's it.
He's a danger to himself and others, and needs treatment.
Mr Striker.
This court recommends that you be confined to an institution
for treatment until such time as you are deemed fit to re-enter society.
But I was framed!
I'm not guilty! That ship did have faulty wiring!
Would you hold for a picture?
I'm not guilty!
A photo for the Daily News?
Of course.
Thanks, counsellor.
Picture.
It's for Ted's own good, Elaine.
I thought I was right and they were wrong.
Now I'm not sure of anything any more.
There's more to the story, but you probably heard enough already.
I don't want to go on forever...
Captain, I'm picking up an overheat in the computer core.
- How serious is it, Mr Dunn? - I can't tell, sir.
You can tell me. I'm the captain.
I can't localize it, but it's definitely in the computer core.
- Elaine, run a computer check. - Y es, sir.
Voice interface.
There's an overheat in the core. Please analyse.
There is no apparent overheat.
Y es, there is, Rok. We read a core overheat.
Repeat analysis.
Analysis confirmed.
All systems compute positive.
Well, not from where I'm sitting, they don't.
Look, Elaine, cut the "not where I'm sitting" shit.
It must be a human error.
Captain, I think we have a computer foul-up.
- I see. - What do you recommend, Captain?
Run it through the computer.
- I already have! - Good.
Just to be safe should I check the rear data banks?
- No. You check the rear data banks. - Y es, sir.
Sir, you should put that case in the compartment above your head.
- I'll keep it with me. - I'll help if you can't get it up.
I said I'll keep it with me.
- Ted, please. - Elaine, listen...
- We can't do this. - We have to go back.
I understand. We had something special, but it's over.
- We can't go back. - This flight has to go back.
That wiring could blow any second.
The problem's in your mind, like always.
- Then you do think I'm insane. - I'd never use that word.
- What word would you use? - The word is sick, Ted.
Goodbye.
Sir, that overheat is getting worse.
I'd better get back into the core and check it out.
- I'd rather you check it out. - Right...
Sir, we're carrying emergency fuel back there.
You'd better go, too. I'll fly the ship.
- Be careful. - Y es, sir.
Captain, do you mind if Jimmy here takes a look around?
Of course not, Mary. Come on in, Jimmy. Hi there.
Boy, there's a lot of neat stuff in here.
This is the nerve centre of the whole ship.
That's a cute puppy. What's his name?
Scraps.
- Can I hold him once? - Y eah.
Come on, Scraps. I used to have a puppy like this when I was a kid.
- You like to play ball with him? - Y eah.
You like to have him fetch a stick?
Y eah.
Of course you do.
Well, my goodness, Scraps is a boy, isn't he?
Y eah.
Jimmy, do you like it when Scraps holds onto your leg
and rubs up and down?
God help us. Look at this place.
Check the fuel drums, I'll do the computer.
Jimmy, did you ever wonder why dogs sniff each other?
Well, Captain, everything A-OK?
Y es, everything's fine. Right, Jimmy?
Y eah. Everything's real neat up here.
That's strange.
What's strange, Captain?
It's an asteroid field. But there's nothing in this sector, unless...
- Unless what, Captain? - Unless we're off course.
- Captain Oveur, Dunn here. - Come in, Dunn. Over.
There's been a fire here, sir.
We're going to have to disconnect the damaged systems.
Mr Unger is attempting a manual shutdown right now.
What are you doing, Dave?
The computer has suffered some bad damage.
This is highly irregular.
Right. Right.
I hope we can still control Rok's higher brain function, sir.
Do what's necessary. I'll go to manual on all systems.
Yes, sir, we will.
Jesus! Hang on!
I'll try to override Rok's circuit and shut the door from here!
Holy shit!
- Did you see that? - Excuse me?
There's two crewmen out there. Look.
I'm afraid there's nothing out there but empty space.
I swear l...
The defendant suffers from chronic psychological stress
and in a pressure situation can snap just like that.
Maybe they were right about me.
My God. Maybe I am cracking up.
What's happening, Captain?
We're off course and computer-locked.
That fire in Rok's core played havoc with the brain functions.
Mr Dunn and Mr Unger were sucked out an air lock.
Both together?
Mr Dunn and Mr Unger were sucked out an air lock.
Don't panic. Calm down, ladies. Are there any other problems?
Captain, we've run out of coffee.
Damn! I've told them a hundred times - store extra coffee!
Captain, what should we do if the passengers start to panic?
This is the way we'll play it -
Mary, you're here in case there's a full-cabin press.
Testa, cover Mary's weak side in case she gets double-teamed.
Right!
Captain, I don't think we have any alternatives.
I see. What do you think our alternatives are?
To disconnect Rok's higher brain function
without disturbing his regulatory system.
That computer has a self-defence mechanism.
You heard what happened to the others.
I know. Sucked out.
Still, it's our only chance. We could try it from here.
You get back and monitor the regulatory unit.
- Right. Good luck, Captain. - Don't worry about me.
Ladies and gentlemen, please calm down.
Please, listen to me.
I want to tell you what's going on with the ship.
Thank you.
We've been thrown off course just a tad.
What's a tad?
Miss, what exactly is a tad?
In space terms, that's about half a million miles.
That's interesting.
The bumps you feel are asteroids smashing into the hull of the ship.
Also, we're flying without a navigational system
and can't seem to change course.
Miss, are you telling us absolutely everything?
Not exactly. We're also out of coffee.
Listen to me! Your crew is in complete control of the situation.
Trust me. There's nothing to worry about!
You're right. They're off course and heading straight for the sun.
I've seen enough, Bob.
Get me Steve McCroskey, and fast.
McCroskey hasn't handled a tower since the strike.
Since Reagan fired the controllers, he's been completely senile.
Y eah, but what about McCroskey?
- Pretty much the same as Reagan. - I don't care. Get him.
Father, I've led such a sinful life.
I'm married with two kids, and there were these girls at the company.
I got them pregnant,
so I stole from the company to pay for the abortions...
God bless you.
Thank you, Father.
I've always loved you, darling, but I have to tell you
I was unfaithful to you, just once.
I understand, darling.
Remember Jill, my first secretary? Forgive me.
That's all right. I knew about it all the time.
I was unfaithful, too.
I understand, darling.
Remember Susan, your last receptionist?
I don't mean to sound forward.
I mean, I know I don't know you, but...
I don't think we're going to live through this,
and...I've...never...
been with a man before.
I know this really isn't the place.
No, no. I understand.
Who turned off the...
What are you doing, Captain?
This is highly irregular.
- Get me some coffee, miss. - Yes, sir.
And a quart of Geritol and a ham on rye.
Welcome home, sir.
Here's the navigational charts, sir.
Get me radio contact with that ship. Pronto.
Here's all the information on the sun. That thing is hot!
Get Bud Kruger immediately. And some ice.
Y es, sir.
Jacobs.
I want to know absolutely everything that's happened up till now.