Minute 027: Any of Our Germs

Deke Slayton and Jim Lovell are talking about Jack Swigert’s poor performance in the Command Module simulator. “If I had a dollar for every time they killed me in this thing,” says Lovell, “I wouldn’t have to work for you, Deke.” Deke merely looks at Lovell. “Well,” says Lovell, “we have two days. We’ll be ready.” Lovell turns to the simulator controllers. “Let’s do it again!” says Lovell.  He heads back up the stairs. “Do it again,” shrugs Deke. The night before launch, the crew is assembled on one side of the road leading to Pad 39A. Family and friends are assembled on the other side of the road. Spotlights bathe the Saturn V in brilliant illumination. “Mom, there he is!” says Margaret Haise. “Margaret!” shouts Mary Haise, ” Get down, Fred, Steven – come here!” They’re blocked by someone at the gate across the road. “We can’t go across that road!” says Mary to her children. TITLE: APRIL 10, 1970 – NIGHT BEFORE LAUNCH “We don’t want Daddy to get any of our germs and get sick in outer space, right?” explains Mrs. Haise. “Hey boys!” says Fred Haise, across the road. “Not gonna give your mom a hard time, are you?” “No sir,” says Fred, Jr. “Princess,” says Fred to his daughter, “you look beautiful!” “Jack!” says a voice. Jack Swigert smiles. Lovell looks across the road and is surprised when he sees a familiar face winding through the line of parked cars. IN THIS MINUTE: Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon Fred Haise: Bill Paxton Deke Slayton: Chris Ellis Mary Haise: Tracey Reiner Margaret Haise: Misty Dickinson Fred Haise, Jr.: Taylor Goodall Stephen Haise: Matthew Michael Goodall