06x15 - Journey to a Spacecraft

[bunniefuu]

Oh! Somebody's taking my dog!

Stop him! Stop him! Oh!

I would like you to meet the man in
charge of the dognapping task force.

PONCH: (OVER PA) This is CHP Officer
Frank Poncherello calling Kevin Cody.

Kevin, this is astronaut
Gordon Cooper.

What's exactly wrong with him?

Kevin has less
than a month to live.

(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)

MISSION CONTROL: This
is Mission Control, Houston.

Flight crew for the shuttle orbiter
has arrived at the Launch Complex 39.

Has arrived in the White
Room, coming up the elevator




and is now entering the
spacecraft access arm.

The crew of the White Room
assisting them in getting their straps,

and all of the ventilation devices
unhooked from their space suits.

And at this time are entering
the hatch of the orbiter.

Today's launch culminates almost
six months of intensive training

for the flight crew
of the spacecraft.

This morning, they were
awakened at about 3:00 a.m.

And had the
standard astronaut...

Get your shuttle dogs
here! Tender, juicy and fresh!

They're so fresh, the dogs
were walking this morning.

I would try a little chili there, a
little chili and some nice peppers.

Hey, easy on the
rocket boosters.

Hold the pepper. (LAUGHS)

And a little flag for
you, sir. Enjoy yourself.




Thank you.

VENDOR: Okay, lady. Here you go.

(MISSION CONTROL SPEAKING
INDISTINCTLY ON TELEVISION)

VENDOR: Get your shuttle dog!

MISSION CONTROL: And we have
ignition of the three shuttle main engines.

Boy, that is a lot of power.

Imagine how much more they'd
need if they had Grossie aboard.

MISSION CONTROL: Coming
up now on the terminal count.

15, 14, 13, 12, 11,

10, 9, 8, 7,

6, 5, 4, 3,

2, 1.

Lift-off.

And we have lift-off as the
two solid rocket boosters ignite.

The hold-down clamps
release at the same time.

Up, up and away!

MISSION CONTROL:
Two solid rocket boosters,

each developing 5.8
million pounds of thrust.

Capable of boosting some

- 25 loaded 7 4 7 airliners into orbit.
- (PEOPLE EXCLAIMING)

Yay! (EXCLAIMS)

Think they'll ever need
CHiPs in space, Ponch?

- I don't know, but I'd sure volunteer.
- Yeah.

(MISSION CONTROL
SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ON TV)

(WHIMPERING)

(DOG WHIMPERING)

Oh! Somebody's taking my dog!

Archibald! That's my
Archibald! Stop him!

- Stop that man! Stop him! Stop that man!
- (ENGINE REVVING)

Stop him! Stop him!

Stop! Oh, you're a big help.

(SIRENS WAILING)

MAN: Hey, watch out!

(SIRENS WAILING)

Ponch, it's gotta be
easier up there in space.

MAN 1: (ON TV) At this time, we've
got item seven on, so it won't happen.

MISSION CONTROL: Okay.

Columbia, Houston. Orbit team is with
you at Botswana for six and a half minutes.

ASTRONAUT: We are
now deploying the RMS arm.

MISSION CONTROL:
Roger, we copy that, Bob.

HARLAN: RMS.

- That stands for...
- ALL: Remote Manipulator System.

The mechanical arm.

Harlan, you're not the only one here that
knows something about our space program.

All right, if you're all so smart,
what does LDEF stand for?

Long Duration Exposure Facility.

That's sort of like Noah's Ark in
space, only filled with seeds and plants...

- The future of space agriculture.
- Well, Harlan, what do you say to that?

A very lucky guess.

Anything new on
the shuttle, Harlan?

Why don't you ask the
asphalt astronauts in there.

Frank. Bobby. You got a minute?

Why don't we just say no?

Pal, he was asking, but
believe me, it wasn't a question.

(CHUCKLING)

Officers Poncherello and Nelson,
I'm sure you remember Mrs. Birdwing,

- whose dog was stolen earlier today.
- It's Ms. Birdwing.

And what you call a dog happens
to be a champion Yorkshire terrier.

And now,

what are you two young men going
to do about finding my little Archibald?

Ma'am, we can assure you that
we're doing everything we possibly can

under the circumstances.

- What circumstances?
- GETRAER: During the past month,

there's been a sudden
surge in dognappings,

especially expensive champions.

It's probably the work of
a very professional g*ng.

Have you thought of forming a
task force to meet this challenge?

(CHUCKLES) A
dognapping task force?

Excuse me, Sarge?

(CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
Ah, Bruce, Bruce.

You know, Ms. Birdwing,
that was a very good idea.

I would like you to meet the man in
charge of the dognapping task force.

Cadet Bruce Nelson.

Cadet?

Oh, don't let that
fool you, Ms. Birdwing.

I've seen Bruce and his brother here
turn up with some dogs you'd not believe.

I might already have a lead. A
kid named Kevin Cody just called.

Said he thinks he heard someone
plotting to steal a valuable show dog.

(SIGHS) You might have
made the right decision after all.

Frank, would you and
Nelson check that out?

PONCH: Yes, sir.

We'll keep you
informed, Sherlock.

Ah, Bruce.

I think the next order of business
is to ask Mrs. Birdwing here

the description of her missing
Yorkshire terrier. Right?

Right! This way, Ms. Birdwing.

Young man, it looks as though you
may have a brilliant career ahead of you.

(CLICKS TONGUE)

And this is its fuel t*nk.

When the shuttle reaches
an altitude of 72 miles,

flying upside down like this,

then the main engines are cut
off and the fuel t*nk is jettisoned.

After that, smaller
engines lift it into orbit.

Sounds like you want to be
an astronaut yourself someday.

Are you kidding?
I'd give anything.

Oh, good. Then how about
taking some of your medicine.

Will you take me to
see the shuttle landing?

Uh-uh. No deals.

Besides, there'll be other landings
when you're well enough to travel.

Ugh. That medicine
makes my ears stop up.

That's because you hold
your nose when you swallow it.

That's because it smells bad.

- Ech. He's right.
- (ALL LAUGHING)

DONNA: Hey, nobody
ever said it would be easy.

(LAUGHS) This goes on and on.

Looks like you're also a CBer.

Oh, yeah.

My dad bought me this CB
bay station for Christmas.

You see, sometimes when
I'm too sick to go outside,

I can keep in touch
with my friends this way.

I can even talk to
my teacher at school.

What's your handle?

- Space Rider.
- Space Rider?

DONNA: What else? (LAUGHS)

And see these cards? They're
the handles of my CB buddies.

I put them over the part of the
map where I can lay an ear on them.

Let's see what you have.
California. Arizona. New Mexico.

Hey, that's a lot of territory.

You're very lucky to
have a lot of friends.

And someday, he's going to
visit every one of them in person.

Aren't you, son?

Yeah, sure I am.

Kevin, uh, you said you
had some information

on someone planning
to steal a valuable dog.

Yeah, that's right,
only I'm not 100% sure.

You see, they were
kind of talking in code.

"They"?

Yeah, this morning just before
lift-off, I was scanning my CB,

and I heard this man
and woman talking.

- What did they say?
- Well, that's the funny part.

You see, it wasn't like
real talk, like a code.

How do you mean?

Well, she said that the prize was in
the parking lot on Wilshire and Fifth.

And he asked
about the container.

And she said it was a Rolls Royce,
and he had about 15 minutes to pick it up.

At first, I thought they were
talking about stealing a car.

What made you change your mind?

Well, it was their handles.

Hers was Look Out
and his was Dog Catcher.

You were right, Kevin.

Someone did steal a Yorkie
from that lot this morning.

Did they say anything else?

Yeah, Dog Catcher said

that he'd meet her at the
Compound, and then they signed off.

- The Compound...
- Do you know where that is?

Not right off hand,
but we'll find out.

- Thank you very much.
- Sure.

Listen, you know, I have a friend who
runs the space wing at the observatory.

If it's okay with your mom and your
dad, maybe we can go up there some time.

- Is it, Dad?
- Of course it's okay with us, son.

All right, it's a deal.
I'll give you a call.

We'll walk you out.

You get back into
bed, young man.

- See you later, buddy.
- Okay.

- You have a fine boy up there, Mr. Cody.
- And a brave one, too.

What's exactly wrong with him?

He's suffering from a
deteriorating liver disease.

His only hope is
a liver transplant.

DONNA: We've contacted doctors
all over the country looking for a donor.

We even called the
Children's Liver Foundation.

But so far, we
haven't had any luck.

- And Kevin knows?
- Yes.

You know, I might be able to
put out an information teletype

informing the CHP up and
down the state of your problem.

Every so often they'll
come across a fatal accident

in which the victim has
donated his vital organs.

Oh, Officer Poncherello,
we'd be so grateful if you did.

Because without
that transplant...

Um...

(SOBS)

Kevin has less
than a month to live.

What do you think the chances
are of you finding a donor

through the teletype
you sent out?

I don't know.

But even one slim chance
is better than none at all.

That's the road where we're
supposed to meet your brother.

- To the right!
- Just what kind of compound is this?

(BIRDS CAWING)

(DOOR CREAKS SHUT)

(VEHICLES APPROACHING)

This is the only place we
could find called the Compound.

It used to be a movie set.

Who was the movie
star, Bela Lugosi?

Come on, big brother. Don't
tell me you're afraid of ghosts.

(ALL LAUGHING)

- (ENGINE REVVING)
- What's that?

- (ENGINES STARTING)
- That was no ghost.

(SIRENS WAILING)

(ENGINE REVVING)

(MAN SCREAMS)

Here, grab hold!

Or would you rather wait for a golden
retriever to come and get you out?

MOE: Look, I told you she's blonde,
pretty and drives a little sports car.

- And calls herself Look Out.
- That's all I know her by.

Where did you meet her?

In North Hollywood,
when I was shark hunting.

You were shark hunting
in North Hollywood?

At the video arcade. It's a game. I
just k*lled my thirteenth great white.

When she came up and asked if I
wanted to make a couple of bucks.

I said sure. I mean,
times are tough.

You know how long it's been
since I've held a steady job?

Let me guess. Never.

- You're wrong!
- Sit down. I said sit down.

I once worked in my uncle's
car wash for three months.

Anyway, she gave me a CB radio and
whenever she spotted a fancy pooch,

she'd give me a call and I'd
come along and make the snatch.

Then she'd meet you at the Compound,
take the dog, and give you your cut.

That's right.

And you don't know what
she did with the dog after that?

Sell it, I guess.

But where?

How should I know?

Because you worked
with her, that's how!

In all that time, she must've told
you something that could help us.

Hey, Moe, why do you want
to take the rap all by yourself?

You think she'd do it for you?

All right.

I asked her once what happened to
the dogs after I turned them over to her.

I mean, I didn't want them used
for any of that experimental stuff.

She said they were treated
with tender loving care.

Shampoo, blow dry, clipped, styled,
given false pedigree papers and sold.

Did she tell you where
all this stuff was done?

She mentioned something
about a beauty salon,

but she didn't say which one.

- Kathy...
- I know. I know.

Go out and find the
canine Pierre of Paris!

MARY: Planets are bodies
within the solar system, Kevin.

There are nine in ours

and each one revolves
around the sun in a definite orbit.

In fact, "planet" is the
Greek word for wanderer.

Pluto is the smallest planet.

And that one over there is
Jupiter, the largest of all the planets.

- Are those its moons, Dr. Hart?
- Some of them.

There are as many as 20 of them.

And one of them, Europa,
may even have life on it.

Did you hear that, Ponch?

Sure, the man on the moon.

(BOTH LAUGHING)

PONCH: Come on, Kevin, let's go.

- How'd you like to see the big telescope?
- Oh, could I?

Oh, I think I've got a
little pull around here.

- (KEYS JANGLING)
- KEVIN: All right!

(PONCH LAUGHS)

I'm glad you brought him, Ponch.

Well, I gotta admit it's
a selfish act on my part.

It makes me feel
good being with him.

Hmm.

Oh, wow!

- Why don't you go on up there?
- All right!

- Can I see the space shuttle?
- Not on its present trajectory.

But watch what happens
when I press this button.

(MACHINE WHIRRING)

Oh, wow!

Boy!

Wow!

Just think, Ponch, the
astronauts are right up there.

Wow!

And here's Archibald on
his first birthday. (LAUGHS)

And here he is with
his first little rubber ball.

And there he is
in his first little bed.

BRUCE: Aw, he was a cute puppy.
BIRDWING: Yes, he was, wasn't he?

I'm afraid my husband
was very jealous of him.

He threatened to leave
unless I got rid of Archibald.

- What happened?
- Well, he threatened once too often,

so I packed his bags and
I haven't seen him since.

- You can sit here, Ms. Birdwing.
- (CHUCKLES) Thank you.

Tell me, young man, do
you get enough to eat?

Yes, ma'am, I think so.

Well, you look so thin
compared to the other officers.

- But I'll take care of that!
- You will?

What you need is a
good home-cooked meal.

- The kind I do for Archibald.
- Yes, ma'am.

Oh, Archibald loves my cooking. I
cook for him all the time, you know.

I get up early in the morning
and I plan new menus,

and I cook all kinds of things
that make him lick his plate clean.

But I don't want him to
get bored with my cooking.

You won't get bored,
either, my dear.

But you know, Kevin,

uh, the space program has
done a whole lot more for us

than just take us to
places we've never been.

It's created a whole new
science called space medicine.

Enables us to perform life-saving
surgery that was almost impossible before.

Maybe someday it'll even find a cure
for all the diseases in the whole world.

Then people won't
have to die anymore.

That's very possible, Kevin.

Well, you have to come back
and see me again real soon, Kevin.

- I will. And thanks for the private tour.
- It was my pleasure.

See you.

Any word yet on that
donor teletype you sent out?

No, but I'm keeping
my fingers crossed.

- I am, too.
- (LAUGHS)

Thank you.

Come on, Kevin.

- Is she your girlfriend, Ponch?
- No, just a friend.

- What's the difference?
- You'll find out when you get older.

Sure. When I get older.

Come on, let's hear what's happening
about the landing tomorrow, all right?

(CLEARS THROAT)

(BELL RINGS)

- Ah, bonjour.
- Bonjour.

I am Charles. What
can I do for you?

- Well, I'm looking for...
- Ah, don't tell me.

Your French poodle who is in a
total mess and needs a clipping.

- My French poodle?
- Charles can tell a dog by the master.

You know, there's an
old saying that says,

"At one time or another,
a dog or a master

"begin to look just
like each other."

And I look like a French poodle?

Who needs a clipping. (LAUGHS)

(CHUCKLES) I see. Well, you're
wrong, Charles. I don't have a dog.

No dog? What are
you talking about?

I'm looking to buy one.

Mademoiselle, this
is Chez Charles.

It's a dog salon, it is not a pet
shop. (CLICKING TONGUE)

I'm sure you always hear of
people that want to find good homes

for their little loved ones.

Well, I'm curious. What
breed were you looking for?

Something small. A little
Pekingese or maybe a Yorkie.

CHARLES: Ah, Yorkie! Oh, la,
la. That is very expensive. Yes.

But sometimes, bargains, as you
say, do come around my way, yes.

- Oh, good. Here's where you can reach me.
- Ah.

Okay, I will try to do my best. I don't
promise nothing, eh. You understand?

- Au revoir. (LAUGHS)
- Au revoir.

(BELL RINGS)

KEVIN: See you soon, Big Luke.

(HORN HONKING)

I'm telling you, good buddy.

When I heard that Space
Rider was calling me for a lift,

- I almost fell out of my rig.
- (LAUGHS)

How long you and me been modulating
without actually eyeballing each other?

Must be a year, Big Luke.

(WHISTLES) Mercy, how it goes.

You're sure your folks
ain't worried about you?

I left them a note, told
them I'd be all right.

- So, where you heading for?
- Got me a long haul to New Orleans.

I bet you can't guess
what I'm dragging behind.

Vegetable or animal?

Neither.

- Soft or hard?
- Both.

- I give up.
- Mattresses!

Don't you get it? Soft and
hard mattresses. (LAUGHS)

Yeah.

BIG LUKE: Good buddy, you
mind if I ask you a question?

No.

How'd you ever pick
Space Rider for your handle?

- You won't laugh?
- Scout's honor.

That's what I want to do when
I grow up. Be an astronaut.

Well, what's so
funny about that?

Listen, let me tell
you something.

Sometimes when I'm parked on a freeway,
bumper to bumper, know what I mean?

Going nowhere
in a big fat hurry,

I kind of think how nice it would be
just to pull back this steering wheel,

and sh**t off into the stars just
like I had a big rocket on my tail.

Sure sounds good to me.

Just about that time, a
radiator starts boiling over

and I crash right
back down to Earth.

But it was a good dream
while I had it, though.

Well, Space Rider,

here's where I gotta turn south,
and you said you're heading north.

Well, nice meeting
you in person, Big Luke.

- It was my pleasure.
- And thanks for the lift.

Hey, good buddy, you sure you don't
want to tell me where you're heading?

To the stars, Big
Luke. To the stars.

Well, that's good enough for
me. Catch you on the flip-flop.

KEVIN: See you
soon, Tumble Weed.

(EXHALES DEEPLY)

(SIGHS)

(RADIO STATIC)

Tumble Weed, this is
Space Rider. Come in.

(RADIO STATIC)

Tumble Weed, this is Space
Rider. Got your ears on, good buddy?

(RADIO STATIC)

Must be too much
interference around here.

(EXHALES DEEPLY) Maybe
it'll be better down the road.

MISSION CONTROL: Columbia,
Houston, we're standing by

for ascension for six
and one-half minutes.

MAN 2: Roger, Brian. We copy.

MISSION CONTROL: And Columbia,
Houston, we're 30 seconds from LOS,

we'll talk you through
Botswana at two plus 26.

(MAN 2 SPEAKING
INDISTINCTLY ON TV)

Boy. Less than two hours and
they'll be back home on Earth.

And to think they traveled
nearly half a million miles,

without any of
your help, Harlan.

Which is a miracle, considering you
guys can't even go a mile without it.

Well! A little
personal service, huh?

Put your arm down.

Ms. Birdwing, I appreciate your
concern, but I really don't need a sweater.

Oh, nonsense. I knitted sweaters for
Archibald all the time and he loved them.

I hope she doesn't make
him one with four arms.

- (ALL CHUCKLING)
- Next she'll be buying him a collar.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

- Looks like you got a bite, Kathy.
- I wonder which fish.

Hello? Oh, Charles!

You found a Yorkie? Great!

I'll be by later to
look at it. Bye-bye.

The fish in French sauce!

Frank, Bobby, I just got a
call from Kevin's parents.

What about?

- Uh, he's gone.
- Where?

They don't know. He just left
a note telling them not to worry.

- You have any ideas?
- No, but, uh...

Is it all right with you if we take
Bruce along to help us look for him?

- (CHUCKLES) He'll be forever grateful.
- Thanks.

- I'm sorry, he's not here, Ponch.
- It was just a hunch.

I figured he might've come
hoping to see the shuttle's return

through the telescope.

We covered both main roads
leading up here. No sign of him.

He might've taken a shortcut
up one of these footpaths.

That's a hard climb even
for conditioned hikers.

For someone with
Kevin's illness...

Bobby, call in a helicopter and
have him start searching the area.

- Can we see the paths from the dome?
- Most of them.

Come on, Bruce.

LA-15-MARY-7, send a helicopter to
the observatory on Griffith Park Drive.

(BELL RINGING)

- Bonjour, mademoiselle.
- Bonjour, Charles.

I got here as quickly as I could.
I'm dying to see the little Yorkie.

Yes. And who shall we say...

This is my dear aunt Lydia. She's
helping me settle into my new apartment.

- That's very nice.
- How do you do?

How do you do? Very
well, just one moment.

Gina, Gina, please
bring the Yorkie out here.

Wait till you see him.
Looks magnificent.

Voilà, the little
dear. (CHUCKLES)

Oh, my darling! My baby! My...

Oh, my darling!

Oh, my baby.
My little Archibald.

- Archibald?
- KATHY: California Highway Patrol.

You're both under arrest.

(DOG BARKING)

Now that's what I
call poetic justice.

(MOTORCYCLE APPROACHING)

Hey, Tumble Weed!

Thanks for coming, Tumble Weed.

Well, you know I was in
the neighborhood, all right?

Hey.

I got a helmet for you.

- Thanks.
- Okay, come here, Space Rider.

You been walking a long time?

- Long enough.
- Come on, can you get on?

All right.

Let's go.

Hey! You know how I got
that name, Tumble Weed?

How?

Because that's the way that
I drive out here in the desert.

Free and easy! Here
today, gone tomorrow!

Never stopping to
take a look at yesterday.

- It's pretty good.
- So, I'm pretty lucky I found you.

No, I go to college every day.
I'm into computer programming.

But when I'm out
here on my chopper,

I'm racing with
the wind, you know.

There is nothing
that can stop me.

- Are you all right?
- Yeah, I think so.

Yeah? All right.

It would have to be the back.

This is going to take
me about an hour to fix.

You're in a hurry, right?

- I don't have much time.
- Well, look, why don't you...

See if you can contact one of the
buddies. See if he's got his ears on.

You don't mind?

Come on. You got someplace
important to go. I understand.

Babe.

(GROANING)

Hey, Space Rider! You all right?

Uh... Yeah, Tumble
Weed. I'm fine.

(GRUNTS)

(STATIC)

Babe, come in,
this is Space Rider.

(STATIC)

Babe, you got your ears on?

(STATIC)

Mrs. Cody, do you know if
he took his medicine with him?

Yes, fortunately.

How about his CB
radio, did he take that?

I think so, it's not here.

Do you mind if we look upstairs?

- Go ahead.
- Thank you.

Looks like he took some of the
names of his buddies with him, too.

This part of the map was
covered the last time we were here.

The northeast section. Lancaster,
Palmdale. The Mojave Desert!

- That's where the space shuttle's landing.
- Then that's where he is.

We'll reach him
through our base station.

(PHONE RINGS)

Hello.

Yes, hold on, please.

It's for you.

Poncherello here.
Yes, I hear you.

All right, he'll be there.

- What is it?
- The CHP in Oxnard has located a donor.

An accident victim.

Oh, Jim!

We have to get Kevin over to the UCLA
Medical Center as quickly as possible.

The transplant has to
happen within a few hours.

But if he's gone to the shuttle
landing, how are you gonna find him?

- They expect 300,000 people there.
- We'll find him, Mr. Cody.

We'll find him. Come on.

Well, I have been back and
forth and around and sideways

across this country
so many times,

it makes me dizzy
just to think about it.

But I'll tell you one thing, Space Rider,
I wouldn't trade a single minute of it

for all the little ticky-tacky houses
and the picket fences in the whole world.

You mean, you just
live in this place?

Yeah, that's right, sugar.
Wouldn't live anywhere else.

No, I think that I've just got too much
get-up-and-go in me to get saddled

with anything that
doesn't have wheels.

Hey...

Space Rider, are
you okay, old buddy?

Yeah, I guess I'm just tired.

Okay, in that case, you just
relax and leave the driving to Babe.

(RADIO BEEPING)

GETRAER: Attention
15MARY-6 and 7, urgent.

I've contacted NASA Assistant
Security Chief Henshaw.

He's coordinating
the search on that end.

PONCH: What about a helicopter
and emergency medical team?

GETRAER: It's
already standing by.

You just find him, Frank.
They'll see he gets to the hospital.

PONCH: Good enough.
15MARY-6 and 7, 10-4.

MISSION CONTROL: This
is Mission Control, Houston.

The security forces at Edwards Air Force
Base estimate the crowd at some 300,000

in the viewing area
around the airbase.

The orbiter now is crossing the
California coast at about Mach 6.

Descending rapidly
as it makes its approach

towards the main runway
at Edwards Air Force Base.

All scientific experiments
for the shuttle orbiter

have run with extreme
success this time.

- We're here. We're here!
- Yeah, we sure are.

But now the trick is going to be
to find a place up a little closer

for this old bus.

Oh...

You don't have to hang in here
with me, go on. Get out of here, go on.

Find a good place
to watch the landing.

- Thanks, Babe. Catch you on the flip-flop.
- You got it.

The spacecraft currently
is in excellent condition.

Hey, Space Rider!

Watch out for yourself. Lot
of big klutzy feet out there.

Hey, don't forget
to call your folks.

- Tell them where you are.
- Yes, ma'am.

MISSION CONTROL: At last report,
the space shuttle is at 60,000 feet

and descending at
some 2.5 miles a minute.

There's also another drama
unfolding at the Mojave landing site

as the search for
little Kevin Cody,

known as Space Rider to
his CB buddies, continues.

Kevin, 10 years old, is the young man
in need of a life-saving organ transplant.

Anyone having knowledge of his
whereabouts should contact NASA Security.

Breaker.

Breaker, breaker.

Come on, this is an emergency!

MISSION CONTROL: The orbiter is
now letting down over Antelope Valley

on its final approach to
Edwards Air force Base,

where the weather
is severe clear.

(OVERLAPPING CONVERSATIONS)

The orbiter is now nearing
its first left-hand turn

around the heading
alignment circle.

Meanwhile, here on the ground
at Edwards Air Force Base,

the service vehicles are pooled up
in a convoy to go out to the spacecraft

to examine the
spacecraft for toxic fumes

and turn on the large fan that
blows all of these fumes downwind.

Let's go find the press area.

MISSION CONTROL: The shuttle orbiter
has now become the world's heaviest glider.

There's not a second
chance to go around,

and as much as the spacecraft
has no power for landing,

the crew has to do
it right the first time.

- (PHONE RINGS)
- Excuse me.

MISSION CONTROL: In crossing the threshold
of the runway at some 220 miles per hour.

Welcome aboard. I'm Assistant
Security Chief Henshaw.

Frank Poncherello. This is my partner
Bobby Nelson and Cadet Nelson.

I wish I had some good
news for you, but I don't.

It seems as if a woman
gave him a lift here,

but then he disappeared
into the crowd.

I've got 20 men out there
looking for him myself,

but you see what
it's like out there.

Have you tried contacting
him on the loudspeaker?

HENSHAW: Many times,
but either he doesn't hear us

or he's afraid he
might miss the landing.

The only thing I can suggest is that you
search as close to the fence as possible.

He's small, that's where
he'd get his best view.

- There's only one minor problem.
- BRUCE: What's that?

The fence extends
almost 5 miles.

How much time until the landing?

Exactly four minutes, 22 seconds,
then it really becomes a madhouse.

- Good luck.
- Thanks, we'll need it.

Let's go.

MISSION CONTROL: Air speed is being
held constant at some 330 miles an hour

down to the first flare.

Then the speed is reduced
to 220 for actual touchdown.

This is Mission Control, Houston. The
spacecraft has now passed through...

Kevin!

Orbiter now rolling on
to the final approach,

trading in altitude for distance
to reach that magic threshold.

Kevin!

Kevin!

Meanwhile, the eager crowd at
Edwards is getting its first glimpse

of the black and white spacecraft
as it approaches from the west,

having overflown the San
Joaquin and Antelope Valleys.

The pilots of chase 1 and 2 aircraft
report no apparent tile damage

or leaking fluids visible
on the spacecraft.

After landing, the crew will be examined
onboard the orbiter by the flight surgeon

before leaving the spacecraft.

And later, after the usual
welcoming ceremonies

and more extensive
medical examination,

the crew and their families
will return to Houston

aboard two shuttle
training aircraft.

(CHEERING)

Approaching the time here
when the main gear comes down

for the final
moments of this flight.

There we have the
main gear deployed.

A few seconds away from
touchdown now, going into the final flare

where the excess air speed is
bled off at some 220 miles per hour.

If we don't find him soon, it's
gonna be too late for that transplant.

You just keep looking.
I just got an idea.

MISSION CONTROL: Right
down the middle of the runway.

And...

Touchdown.

First smoke from
the main landing gear

and the nose gear approaches its
touchdown point further down the runway.

Chase aircraft continuing
on to orbit the air base

until clearance is
given for them to land.

Orbiter continuing its rollout.

Excuse me, Colonel Cooper.

Yes, Officer Poncherello,
what can I do for you?

I'd like to ask you a favor that
could possibly save a young boy's life.

If it's about this Kevin Cody,
I'd be more than happy to help.

MISSION CONTROL:
Offloaded in preparation for

being flown back to
Kennedy Space Center

aboard the modified 7 4
7 shuttle carrier aircraft.

The next flight will take place
in approximately two months.

PONCH: Attention.
Your attention, please.

This is CHP Officer Frank
Poncherello calling Kevin Cody.

Ponch.

PONCH: Kevin, if
you can hear me,

I have someone here who
would like to talk to you.

Kevin, this is astronaut
Gordon Cooper.

From all that Ponch has told me,
you sound like a fine young man

and I would like to meet you.

Meet me?

PONCH: Kevin, do
you see the big building?

That's the press building.
Come to the press building.

Colonel Cooper
would like to meet you.

Excuse me. Excuse me.

I'm Kevin Cody. I've gotta
get to the press building.

Excuse me.

I've gotta meet astronaut...
Excuse me. Excuse me.

(GASPING)

There's just too
many people out there.

Kevin, wherever you are, you
must come to the press building.

Kevin, Colonel Cooper is
waiting here to meet you.

Kevin!

Kevin! Kevin!

Are you okay?

Let's go, Space Rider.

Ponch, no luck.

Hi, Ponch, I'm sorry I
caused all this trouble.

- I just wanted to see the landing.
- It's okay, Kevin. It's all right.

There's someone here I'd like you
to meet, astronaut Gordon Cooper.

Ponch tells me you want to be
an astronaut yourself someday.

Yes, sir!

Well, with all the bravery
and spirit you've shown, Kevin,

there's nothing in this
world that can stop you.

Yes, sir.

Kevin, there's a helicopter
waiting to take you to the hospital.

You're going to
have your operation.

Come on.

Thank you.

Catch you on the
flip-flop, Colonel Cooper.

On the flip-flop, Space Rider.

MISSION CONTROL: And
the world's largest biplane

takes off for the return
to Kennedy Space Center.

The orbiter is scheduled to fly
another mission late next month.

The doctor says next time the shuttle
lands, I'll be well enough to go see it.

Only this time, we all go together.
No more hitchhiking, young man.

Your mother's right, Kevin, you
shouldn't hitchhike for any reason.

I know. And I'm sorry for
making you worry, Mom.

In the meantime, you're going to be
very busy thinking up an experiment.

- For what?
- To send along with the space shuttle.

A bunch of us chipped in to buy you
what NASA calls their getaway special.

You think of an experiment
that can be used in space,

and the astronauts
will bring it with them.

- Any idea what you're going to do?
- No, but I'll think of something.

I'm sure you will.
Now you get some rest.

We'll come by
and visit you again.

Thanks, guys.

- That goes for us, too. Thanks very much.
- Mr. Cody, it was a pleasure.

Hey, Space Rider,
catch you on the flip-flop.

(CHUCKLES)

(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)