NASA astronauts Adam Banton and Carl Ackland are trapped in a capsule, hundreds of miles from Earth. The two pioneers of the Space Race await the call that will determine their survival.
Ackland points out that if the call comes from a nobody, then they are okay – but if the call comes from someone higher up – they have no hope.

Ackland is sporting a small cut on his forehead, and Banton chuckles at the memory of how much Ackland had laughed when he gave him the gas to ease the pain. Then he starts to reminisce about his wife, and how they knew each other in high school, but this causes him to get a little emotional.

As their oxygen dwindles they receive a transmission it is from their President.

He proceeds to tell the two astronauts how proud him and the nation are. Banton asks what the situation is, but the President does not answer, he just repeats his previous phrases and lavishes praise. Banton tries to pass a message to his wife, but Ackland interrupts him – thanking the President for his time.

Banton is annoyed that his last words were cut off. He is upset that he never got a chance to say goodbye.

Banton reaches for the laughing gas, and says “if we are going out, we may as well smiling”. Ackland warns him that it will cut their remaining time in half. Banton responds with a ‘so?’ and takes a hit off the gas. He then passes it to his colleague.

The two men laugh uncontrollably, and then Ackland pulls out a cigar. Banton points out this will burn their remaining oxygen, but he knows. ‘So what!’ they both agree. They hold the match up and watch how the flame completely covers their view of the earth, which looks so tiny from this great distance.

The film ends with their silent capsule turning slowly in earth’s orbit.

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