GUEST: Screenwriter Lewis Colick

The radio news continues as the miners descend in the elevator.

“…to be tracking it very soon.

We are told that Sputnik will be visible to the naked eye…

about an hour after sunset and an hour before dawn…

as it traverses the October sky over the United States.

What the beeping signal means we still don’t know.

It may be nothing more– “

TITLE: “BASED ON A TRUE STORY”

“Jailhouse Rock” plays. Roy Lee, driving a 1937 Plymouth De-Luxe, pulls up in front of the Hickam home. Homer opens the car door and jumps in the back of the car.

“Let’s go, Roy Lee,” says Homer. “It’s almost nine!”

“Sure are in a hurry to get yourself killed,” says Roy Lee.

“No kiddin’. There are easier ways to commit suicide, Homer,” says O’Dell, in the front seat.

“Will you just step on it, Roy Lee?” says Homer.

“I am steppin’ on it!” replies Roy Lee. The boys laugh.

TITLE: “COALWOOD, WEST VIRGINIA – OCTOBER 5, 1957”

In This Episode

• Jake Gyllenhaal as Homer Hickam
• William Lee Scott as Roy Lee
• Chad Lindberg as O'Dell