the controller moves away from his video unit. a kid from the tour who has lagged behind hits a switch. the screen turns into a video game with sfx. he flips knobs. mccrosky come in, mayflower. over. do you read me? over. damnit! controllers are gathered around one monitor. mccrosky elaine thompson!! what in sam hill is a woman doing in charge of that ship?! all controller's look down the line and smile. mccrosky a man. now that's more like it. this is mission control. identify yourself and give me your position. over. mccrosky striker. striker. striker. mccrosky sits at a monitor, talks into a mike and looks down at a book. behind him two controllers make a dope deal -- a baggie of grass for cash. we only see their midsections and hands. joe dimaggio , drinking a cup of coffee, rushes in accompanied by a ground control officer. controllers stand over mr. coffee -- everyone sips coffee and smokes cigarettes. detective hallick storms in and up to mccrosky. he flashes his badge. mccrosky how are we going to handle this bomb nut? jacobs stands next to kruger rubbing his forefingers together in the "shame, shame" sign. controllers huddle over one monitor. controllers are grouped around the plans. mccrosky i want everyone on their toes for this one. mccroksy zero point five worp?! mccrosky addresses his troops. pan controllers looking intently into the night sky. pan to mrs. salucci intently gripping her vibrator -- it's on. pan to jacobs reading variety -- headline: "paramount announces shuttle disaster pic!" mccrosky we'll be out of radio range in a few seconds. i'm going to put you in contact with mercury base alpha beta for your final descent. over. stinson, who's in command of alpha beta? everyone tensely looks out the window into the night sky.