GUEST: Actor Elya Baskin

“A rocket took it up there, Mr. Bykovsky,” says Homer.
“I don’t know,” says Ike. “I –”
“When I was workin’ on this rocket,” says Homer, “I felt like– I felt like I was, like I was Wernher von Braun.”
Ike pauses, then picks up the rocket body. “Let me see,” he studies the tube. “Homer…it will be our secret!” Ike smiles.

Later, at the school lunch table, the Rocket Boys examine Ike’s work on their rocket.
“Mr. Bykovsky did a dang good job on this,” says Roy Lee.
“Yeah, well, he used a washer for the weld,” says Homer. “It looks like it did in the picture!”
“Prodigious!” says Quentin.
“When do we go?” asks O’Dell.
“Saturday-” begins Roy Lee. Principal Turner grabs the rocket.
“Give me that,” says Turner. He looks at the rocket body. “What is this, a weapon of some kind?”
“No, sir,” says Homer. “It’s a rocket.”

Miss Riley notices the commotion, and heads to the boys’ table.
“I don’t allow dangerous devices on school grounds,” says Turner.
“I asked Homer to bring that to school,” explains Miss Riley. “To show it in class. You know, the boys are thinkin’ about enterin’ that county science fair.” Miss Riley shoots a look to Homer, who looks back, surprised. Turner hands the rocket back to Homer.
“Be careful, gentlemen,” says the principal. “I’m gonna have my eye on you.”

In This Episode

• Jake Gyllenhall as Homer Hickam
• Elya Baskin as Ike Bykovsky
• William Lee Scott as Roy Lee
• Chris Owen as Quentin
• Chad Lindberg as O'Dell
• Laura Dern as Miss Riley
• Chris Ellis as Principal Turner