Gravity Page #2

(on radio)

Thank you doctor. Shariff, what’s your

status?

SHARIFF:

Nearly there. Replacing battery module

A1 and C.

SHARIFF DASARI is an Indian engineer in his mid-thirties. He is

attached with tethers to a platform on one side of the Hubble.

This is his second mission into outer space.

MISSION CONTROL:

(on radio)

Could you be more specific?

Indeterminate estimates make Houston

anxious.

SHARIFF:

No... no... no Houston, don’t be

anxious. Anxiety is not good for the

heart... The system is ready to reactivate.

MISSION CONTROL:

(on radio)

Hubble Telescope engaged. Upgrade

fully functional. That applause you

hear is for you, Shariff.

Congratulations. Kick back, take the

rest of the day off.

Shariff cheers and begins singing a pop tune in Hindi, bursting

into a Zero-G Bollywood choreography that is repressed by the

stiffness of his space suit.

SHARIFF:

(singing)

Woohoo… Jaise Baadal Paani Ka, Yaarana

Hai Oh Jaise Paani Ka, Yaarana Hai.

MISSION CONTROL:

(on radio)

Matt, please advise as to Mission

Specialist Shariff’s current activity.

MATT:

He appears to be doing the Macarena of

some sort. Though that would merely be

a best guess scenario on my part.

Matt is now approaching the Explorer, skillfully maneuvering his

thrusters.

The other astronaut stands perched on a ROBOTIC ARM attached to

the Shuttle. The arm is a crane-like moving platform remotely

operated from inside the Shuttle.

We TRACK In on the astronaut as she works intently alone.

MISSION CONTROL:

Dr. Stone. Houston. Medical now have

you with a temperature drop to 35.9

and heart rate rise to 70.

How are you doing?

RYAN:

Houston, I’m fine, it’s just...

(she swallows)

...Keeping your lunch down in zero G

is harder than it looks.

MISSION CONTROL:

Doctor Stone? Medical is asking if you

want to return to Explorer?

Ryan HUMS as she jiggles the CARD.

RYAN:

No, we’ve been here for a week

Houston, let's just finish this.

RYAN STONE is a medical engineer, specialized in hospital

scanning systems. She’s focused on her work as though she’s all

alone in the world. This is her first mission.

Ryan eyes the Card, then...

RYAN (CONT’D (CONT’D)

Card is up.

MISSION CONTROL:

(on radio)

That’s a negative. I’m afraid we’re

getting nothing on this end, doctor.

Ryan eyes the Card, then...

RYAN:

Try again.

MISSION CONTROL:

(a beat, then...)

Still nothing.

RYAN:

Houston, could you please turn that

music off?

MISSION CONTROL:

(on radio)

Kowalsky?

MATT:

Not a problem.

Matt toggles a switch and the music stops.

RYAN:

Thank you, Kowalsky.

Ryan moves the Card around.

RYAN (CONT’D)

Now, Houston?

MISSION CONTROL:

Negative.

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