into space.
JEREMY
I didn't know that. Now that I do, I
definitely want in.
CECIL
I prefer that my spacers remain at the
complex during training to minimize the
possibility of injury or illness. I don't
like the idea of replacing members of my
crew at the last minute.
JEREMY
I can live with that.
CECIL
Pack some clothes and be here tomorrow
morning at seven. Don't worry about the
government. I'll send out a press release
announcing your appointment to The Arcus
crew. That should dissuade them from
pressing the issue.
The doublecar stops at the mouth of a large hangar.
INT. BARBEQUE HANGAR - DAY
A zigzag of picnic tables surround a dozen active grills.
Over a hundred employees are eating.
Jeremy feasts.
Cecil drinks bottled water.
Several employees wander by to casually greet Cecil.
They eye Jeremy curiously.
Jeremy's cell phone rings. He answers.
JEREMY
Oh, hi General Hayes.
Cecil signals Jeremy to hand him the phone.
Jeremy complies.
CECIL
General Hayes, I've heard so much about
you. I wanted to thank you and your
friends for the NASA space shuttles. The
redesign went swimmingly...What's that?
Cecil holds the phone out so Jeremy can hear the General.
CECIL (CONT’D)
...It's Cecil Millikan, of course...That
should be obvious. You know the old
saying, everything's for sale at the
right price.
Cecil winks at Jeremy.
CECIL (CONT’D)
I'm actually able to squeeze an Asteroid
Crusher into the tip of the main liquid
fuel tank which now reaches orbit.
A few nearby employees listen covertly to Cecil's conversation.
CECIL (CONT’D)
I'm afraid he's unavailable at the moment
but I'll tell him you called. By the way,
Mr. Ash works for me now so you may want
to take him off your speed dial...What's
that, General? I'm sorry, you're breaking
up.
Cecil disconnects. He hands the phone back to Jeremy.
INT. ARCUS SPACECRAFT - DAY
The fully suited crew sits in a circle.
A hexagonal console centers them.
Windows surround the cabin.
Cecil sits directly across from Jeremy.
They stare excitedly through their faceplates at each other.
EXT. ARCUS LAUNCHPAD - DAY
A powerful hurricane brews offshore.
A Blaster Nine Rocket carries The Arcus aloft.
