Announcer> This program was made possible in part with a grant from the National Endowment For The Arts.

Capt.

Johnson> Ladies and gentlemen, once again welcome aboard.

This is Captain Johnson speaking.

And on behalf of our entire crew, I'd like to thank you for flying with us today.

(overlapping radio chatter) ♪ Lee> What an incredible view.

It feels like I can almost reach out and grab it.

Earth looks so beautiful.

So clean from out here.

You almost forget what it's really like.

(radio static and noises continue) Why do we treat our planet so badly?

Why?

Nobody seems to care.

I feel so helpless.

(indistinct radio noise continues) (airplane engine roaring) Lee> Hey, Charlie.

Charlie> Hey, Lee.

What are you doing here?

Lee> Waiting for you.

Well, a big shot like you deserves a first class welcome.

How about we go out for some steaks tonight to celebrate your homecoming?

And, you know, talk some things over.

Lee> Look, Charlie, like I told you before, my mind's made up on this thing.

There's nothing to talk about.

Charlie> I don't understand.

How can you just throw all those years out the window?

Lee> Charlie!

Look, just don't push it, all right?

I've got to get my car.

I'll see you later.

♪ (twinkling sound) Crescent> Hi.

(car tires screeching) Lee> What are you trying to do wrap us around a telephone pole?

Crescent> I'm sorry.

Lee> Who are you?

What are you doing in my car?

Are you lost?

Crescent> No.

Lee> Oh, a runaway?

Well, I haven't got time for this.

Officer> What seems to be the problem here.

Oh, officer.

Good.

Lee> Would you take this kid off my hands?

I think we have a runaway here.

Officer> What kid is that?

Lee> What do you mean what kid?

But I saw a... Never mind.

Sorry to bother you.

♪ ♪ ♪ (twinkling sound) Who's there?

Come on out.

I know someone's there.

I'm not in the mood for this.

Who are you?

Crescent> Are you mad at me?

Lee> You again?

Who are you?

What do you want with me?

Crescent> I'm not sure yet.

Lee> What do you mean you're not sure?

How'd you get in here, anyway?

Crescent> I don't know.

Lee> Alright then, just tell me your name and we'll take it from there.

Crescent> I can't.

Lee> Terrific.

Look, why don't you go someplace else and play?

Crescent> No, really, you have the right sounds in your language.

Lee> Right?

Crescent> It's true.

Lee> Well I, I have to call you something, don't I?

Crescent> Oh, you can call me Crescent.

I like that.

It means "growing" in your language.

Lee> Crescent.

Well, Crescent.

You speak my language very well.

Crescent> Thank you.

Lee> You want to tell me what your language is?

Crescent> Oh, it's the sound of the wind and the smell of the flowers.

It's the swaying of the tree tops.

And sometimes just a feeling.

Lee> I see.

Look, Crescent, that's a very nice game, but I'm not in the mood for games right now.

So why don't you just run on home?

(phone ringing) (Answering machine greeting) This is Major Lee Holton.

I'm sorry I'm not in, but please leave a message and- Crescent> It's Charlie.

Charlie> Hey old buddy, it's Charlie again.

I'm down in the lobby.

Let's talk about this thing.

Okay?

No pressure.

I promise you.

Lee, I know you're there.

Lee> How did you know that was Charlie?

Crescent> It felt like Charlie.

Lee> I thought I told you to go home.

Crescent> You're going to quit being an astronaut, aren't you?

Lee> Now I get it.

Charlie sent you over here, didn't he, to work on me?

That's how you knew that phone call would be from him, isn't it?

Well, it won't work.

I'm getting out and that's that.

How about that guy using little kids to do his dirty work for him?

(knocking at the door) Charlie> See, I knew you were home.

I just had to run out and get some milk and stuff, and I just thought I'd...

The truth is, Lee, I need to understand why you're doing this.

Lee> Matter of fact, I'm glad you're here.

You can get this kid of yours out of my hair.

Charlie> What kid?

Lee> That kid.

The one you sent over to play on my sympathies.

Charlie> I sent over?

Buddy, I'm sorry, but I don't know what you're talking about.

Lee> Fine.

Play it your way.

But don't pretend you don't even see it.

Charlie> See what?

Lee> The kid.

Charlie> I think I'm beginning to understand now.

There's nothing to really worry about.

You know what I think it is?

I think it's the weightlessness.

I hear it makes you feel kind of strange when you first get back.

You know, like you don't belong or something.

Lee> Charlie, you don't think I- Charlie> It's all right.

I won't tell a soul.

Heck, you probably just need a little rest.

Why don't you go on to bed and I'll check back tomorrow and see how you're doing.

And don't worry about a thing.

If you need something, just give me a call, okay?

Lee> Charlie- Charlie> Listen.

What are friends for?

Sleep well, okay.

Lee> Great.

Now my best friend thinks I'm losing my mind.

Maybe I am, at that.

Could be the flight fatigue, I suppose.

Or the weightlessness, like Charlie said.

Crescent> I was sent to you.

It's normal, Charlie couldn't see me.

Lee> Listen kid, there's nothing normal about this.

I've got to get away for a while.

Out in the country somewhere with the grass and the trees and...

I don't know.

The Earth looks so fragile from out there.

We think it's big and sturdy, but it isn't.

From out in space, it looks like you could hold it in the palm of your hand.

Crescent> You love the earth, don't you?

Lee> It makes me so angry to see the way people are mistreating it.

We should be protecting it, not tearing it down.

Crescent> Why don't you do something about that?

Lee> What do you mean?

Crescent> I'll show you.

(twinkling sound) ♪ ♪ From the wisp of a cloud ♪ ♪ to the seed of a song ♪ ♪ It's talking to you ♪ ♪ Telling you just how ♪ ♪ important it is to keep ♪ the Earth growing strong ♪ ♪ It's talking to you ♪ ♪ Listen ♪ ♪ Pass It Along ♪ ♪ You got the message ♪ ♪ make it a part of ♪ this beautiful land ♪ ♪ Pass It Along ♪ ♪ Keep it ♪ healthy and strong ♪ ♪ We've got to ♪ Pass It Along ♪ ♪ Lee> What was that?

Crescent> They're all artists who love the Earth, just like you.

I could tell you all about them, and you could help them share their message with others.

What do you think?

Lee> I think I'm going to wake up and remember this is the wildest dream I've ever had.

Look, don't be so upset.

But this is a little hard to believe, even for a spaceman.

Alright, I'll tell you what.

If, after a good night's rest, I still think I can see you hanging around here.

We'll talk about it some more.

Crescent> Promise?

Lee> I promise.

Now, please, just let me get some sleep.

Morning, Charlie.

Charlie> Well you look okay?

Lee> I'm fine.

Charlie> Listen, about yesterday.

Lee> Forget it.

Charlie> I can't forget it.

I was way out of line.

Lee> You were just showing your concern for me, that's all.

Charlie> That's not all.

I was suggesting you were hallucinating or something.

Lee> I was.

Charlie> I had no right.

You just can't- What?

Lee> At least I think I was.

Charlie> What are you talking about?

Lee> Let's walk, I'll tell you all about it.

Charlie> When you woke up, the thing was gone, right?

Lee> I almost wish it hadn't been.

Charlie> Oh, come on, Holton.

It's just some kid from the building.

You went to bed and the brat went home.

Lee> I don't think so.

I mean, you were there.

It was standing right in front of you, and you didn't see it.

Charlie> Well, okay, maybe you did see something odd.

But the thing is gone away now, so it's like you said.

You just needed rest.

Lee> Yeah, I guess.

Charlie> Sure.

You ready to head back?

Lee> I want to get away, Charlie.

Far away from the people who are using up this planet like there's no tomorrow.

And there won't be if they don't stop it.

You know that, don't you?

And I want... Charlie> You want what?

Lee> I don't know.

Something I don't have now.

Purpose, maybe.

I believe in what we're doing in the space program, I really do.

But I just need something more.

Charlie> Why don't you get away for a while?

You got plenty of leave time coming.

Lee> Maybe I will.

You know it's funny, but I, almost feel like Crescent had the answers for me.

Charlie> I don't understand.

Lee> That's okay.

I'm not sure I do either.

♪ ♪ ♪ Jake> Jake Weston, Major Holton.

Oh, glad to meet you.

Well, you picked a fine piece of property here.

Nice piece of land.

It's, a little far from town, of course, but we've taken that into account in the asking price.

Be glad to show you around, building or grounds first?

Lee> Grounds, I guess.

Like I said on the phone, I'm not really in the market.

Jake> I know, I know, I know, I know, I know.

Just looking.

Well, it'd be a shame, though, to let this place fall into the hands of developers.

Lee> Developers?

Jake> Yeah.

You know, subdivisions.

Course, I know the owners would like to see the place kept together.

Come on, just look at that countryside.

Well, as you can see, the place has been well looked after.

Major?

Is anything wrong, Major?

Lee> Not a thing.

I'll take it.

Jake> Well, I... you'll take it.

The farm?

Lee> Of course, the farm.

And the sooner the better.

♪ ♪ ♪ Crescent> Hi.

Lee> Hi.

I was wondering when you were going to show up.

Crescent> Did you quit being an astronaut yet?

Lee> Not yet.

I thought I'd take some time off and think about it for a while.

Crescent> Sure is pretty out here.

Lee> Mhm.

You going to tell me why we bought it?

Crescent> You bought it.

Lee> But I have a feeling it was all your idea.

I don't think I had very much to do with it at all.

Crescent> Then why did you go along with it?

Lee> I was afraid if I didn't, I would miss out on something.

I don't know.

Something important.

Crescent> You going to help us?

Lee> Maybe.

Crescent> Oh, hooray!

Lee> I said maybe.

Crescent> Well, you didn't say no.

Lee> Like some hot chocolate?

Crescent> Thanks.

(soft music continues) ♪