Minute 003: One Hand on the Wheel

Jack Swigert is explaining to Tracy how docking works in space.

“It’s called a probe,” says Swigert, waving the long neck of a beer bottle at a tall glass.

“Is that true?” asks Tracy, smiling.

TITLE: BILL PAXTON

“Absolutely,” says Swigert, “and, Tracy, I’ll tell you: when you feel that thing slide in, and everything’s clicking – – it’s like no other feeling in the world.” Tracy laughs.

TITLE: GARY SINESE

The front door opens, and Jim Lovell steps inside, carrying a box of Moet & Chandon Champagne. Astronaut Pete Conrad steps in behind him.

“A little liquid propulsion,” says Lovell to the partygoers. “What’s the big occasion?”

TITLE: ED HARRIS

“How’s it going over there at Mission Control?” asks Swigert.

“It’s a nervous time,” replies Lovell, “They’re pacing around, smoking like chimneys – – Gene Kranz is going to have puppies.” Lovell notices the blonde woman talking to Swigert. “Jim Lovell,” he says, holding out a hand. Tracy smiles and shakes his hand.

“Hi,” says Tracy.

“This is Tracy,” says Swigert.

“How do you do?” replies Lovell.

“This, this is the man,” explains Swigert to Tracy. “Gemini Seven, Gemini Twelve, Apollo Eight – – they were the first ones around the Moon, this guy did ten laps.”

“Wow,” says Tracy.

“… with one hand on the wheel,” remarks Lovell, laughing. “You guys make yourselves at home.” Lovell turns toward the kitchen. “Hey, Marilyn –”

TITLE: APOLLO 13

“This is the last champagne,” says Lovell, kissing his wife, “in the city of Houston.”

“Quite good, quite good,” says Marilyn.

TITLE: KATHLEEN QUINLAN

“Everything else alright?” asks Lovell. Marilyn is already out of earshot in the living room. “Looks okay,” he continues to himself.

“Hey, Cadet Lovell!” says Jim to his son, Jay, who’s wearing a St. John’s Military Academy t-shirt.

“Hey, Dad,” says his son.

“Put this on ice in the back and make sure it gets cold,” says Jim.

TITLE: DAVID ANDREWS, XANDER BERKELEY

“You gonna get a haircut this summer?” Jim asks his son.

“I’m on vacation,” replies his son.

“Oh, get a haircut!” replies Jim.

TITLE: CHRISTIAN CLEMENSON, BRETT CULLEN

In the Lovell study, Fred Haise looks at a framed cover of Time Magazine’s 1968 Men of the Year, Astronauts Anders, Borman, and Lovell.

Ken Mattingly walks into the study.

IN THIS MINUTE:

Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks
Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon
Tracy: Karen Martin
Fred Haise: Bill Paxton
Ken Mattingly: Gary Sinese
Marilyn Lovell: Kathleen Quinlan
Jay Lovell:  Max Elliott Slade
Pete Conrad: David Andrews