GUEST: Robert Pearlman, CollectSpace
“Would you like to see? This is a de Laval nozzle,” explaining his display to a group of students at the science fair. “Do any of y’all know what a de Laval nozzle is?”
Later that night, Homer lines up to see “The Incredible Shrinking Man” at the Ennessee Theater. He overhears a conversation between two fellow science fair entrants.
“The judges always go for the most expensive exhibits,” says a red-haired girl. “The guy with the biosphere’s gonna win.”
“I don’t think so,” says a boy. “My money’s on the kid with the rocket display. Have you seen it yet? It’s really cool!”
Homer smiles.
The next day, Homer arrives at the exhibit hall. He walks under the Maryland and New York state flags.
“Mr. Owens to the security office,” says a PA announcer.
Homer finds that most of his exhibit has been stolen.
On a phone call with the Rocket Boys, Homer explains the situation.
“It’s not like we got a lot of time. The judging is tomorrow!” says Homer.
“There’s nothin’ we can do without Mr. Bolden,” says Roy Lee. “He can’t get anywhere near the machine shop.”
“They even took my picture of -” says Homer.