The Six Million Dollar Man

He's not in his trailer, sir.

Well, where in blazes is he?

It's almost 0700.

I'm sure there must be some explanation, General.

Hang that.

If Austin isn't here in two minutes, I'm gonna pull the plug.

Where does he come off keeping us all waiting?

General.

What's going on here?

Where does he think he is?

Hiya, Charlie. How's it going?

Fine. Beautiful, Steve.

Think I got time for a shave?

I think so.

Hiya, Gus. Hi, Steve.

How's the family? Just great.

How we looking? Real good.

General.

Mr. Austin.

Yes, sir?

Have you any idea what time it is?

About 5 to 7?

Excuse me, General.

Hey, Steve.

You got a positive genius for antagonizing the wrong people.

I know. It's the story of my life.

Where have you been?

I felt like taking a walk.

Walk?

You know, Doc...

Out there, just before the sun comes up...

it's just like being up there on the moon again.

Kind of relaxes me.

Right.

I'll be right with you. Okay.

Well, unless you've got something, I don't have anything else.

Everything's fine in here.

Okay. Good luck, Steve.

Thank you.

Good luck, Steve!

Have a good day.

Thank you.

This is AS-Of. B-52 is ready for taxi.

It's hot in here. Let's get this show on the road.

Okay, Cecil, have you got the B-52 in sight?

Negative.

Okay, just took to your Jeff.

Wait a minute, you took off on 2-2?

Okay, just took to your Jeff.

35 to 4-0 degrees.

Roger...

One minute. Someone's keying their microphone.

Okay. Stand by for system's okay, Steve.

Okay, you're cutting out. Someone's keying your mic.

Let's get oft the test frequency.

Let's put in another 30 seconds, NASA One.

Roger. And 008 hold is heading.

Alright. B-52 cameras are on.

Winds are okay, Steve.

Westerly at about 10 knots.

Coming on. I'm indicating 004. How does that look?

Looks good, Steve. All systems are okay here.

The winds are westerly at 10 knots.

Okay.

This is NASA One calling ten seconds now.

Ten seconds, Roger.

Zero, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

Okay, Steve. Check your dampers, old buddy.

Engine's on. Take her to 4-00.

Roger. Watch your alpha, Steve?

Roger.

Okay, you're coming up on Theta.

Okay, on Theta.

Okay, you're on track and you're on profile.

We've got your pitch pulse here. Looks real good.

Roger.

This is NASA One, you're just a little inside of track...

but I'd hold it just like you are.

Looking real good.

- There's another pulse. - And the pulse looks good here.

Starting my tum.

All of it?

In the past 18 months, we have had three projects...

that cost too many lives, too much money...

unnecessarily.

That is risky to the point of threatening uncontrollable...

international confrontations.

We ran an analysis on the subject.

And as you can see, the conclusions dictate a somewhat different approach.

The use of one single force...

especially equipped, as it were, for such projects.

We estimate the cost to be roughly six million dollars...

to establish the facilities...

and half a million to a million dollars a year there after to sustain those facilities...

and maintain the operation.

That's for one prototype?

We have no need of more than one till we work out the bugs.

Where do you get the raw materials, Oliver?

Are you going to ask for volunteers?

No, no, accidents happen all the time.

We'll just start with scrap.

They're shut down now.

Roger. We have you at max altitude.

Trim looks good.

When you get a chance, come about five degrees left.

Five left.

Feels real dizzy.

Okay, Steve.

The winds are down to about five or six knots.

Keep it coming Jeff, Steve.

Okay. Going to lower gains.

Okay, looks good.

Come on Jeff, Steve. Five more degrees.

You're on energy, Steve, and you're heading right for the turn point.

Okay.

Got you coming through 17,000 feet now.

Okay. I got 19.

Correction. 20,000 feet. I'm sorry.

Steve, I got 18,500 now.

18,000 now. Thanks, Bill.

Okay, you're over the turn point now.

About 18,000 feet.

Okay. I think we need the connection right a little bit high.

Okay, Steve, go ahead and check your SAS gains

and your air connects, and you've got it from here.

Okay, I'll raise the gains.

I don't like that too well.

However, the gains are open.

She's really oscillating now.

Check your circuit breakers.

Hey, old buddy, right now, get out!

Don't take any chances, Steve.

No sweat.

Pull away out there. Give him some room.

He's got a clear gap.

Rog. Okay, NASA One, I'm gonna try to cut it short...

by angling off to the compass rose.

Okay. Take her any place you want.

280, 270 knots.

Get that chopper out of the way.

It's alright. You're okay. You're clear.

Watch your gear.

This is NASA One.

Get that fire truck out there immediately.

8-9, get on your way!

Sorry, Mr. Spencer.

I didn't know you were here until about three minutes ago.

Is he in a coma? Why?

The accident was 36 hours ago. He should be conscious by now.

No. We're keeping him unconscious.

This is a process called electro-sleep. We got it from the Russians.

We generate an electric pulse directly into his skull through those electrodes.

The pulse matches the alpha rhythm...

and the body, in effect, resonates with the impulse.

As long as we keep the current going, he'll sleep.

Won't feel any pain.

I'd like a report of his condition, please.

Rudy.

Rudy?

This is Mr. Spencer of the Office of Strategic Operations.

Will you brief him on Steve's condition, please?

Well...

He lost his right arm in the crash, Mr. Spencer.

Both legs are badly crushed.

We had to cut them off and he's blind in one eye.

We're also concerned about injury to the spinal column.

I mean, if some of the main nerves were affected.

Well, he may not be able to use his remaining arm.

And so on.

Just keep him alive.

I was told this is where you take your breaks.

I can understand your feelings.

Do you?

Yes. He's a very close friend, I understand.

You have a remarkable opportunity, Doctor.

What do you mean?

We've been watching your work very close for some time, now.

You claim that you and your research team...

can take a man in Steve Austin's condition...

replace the arm and both legs...

and possibly even the eye and make him come out even better

possibly than he was before, is that correct?

Theoretically it could work, yes.

Theoretically.

I am prepared to give you all the money you require to make that happen.

Are you serious?

That could cost millions.

Whatever it takes, we want you to do it.

What's the problem, Doctor?

The problem is, it's all on paper.

It should work.

But if it doesn't, what do I tell him?

I haven't the faintest idea.

What would you tell anyone?

Steve Austin isn't anyone.

Of all the men I know...

he's the last I'd want to live the way he is now.

Well, then, you're his only hope.

If you can't do it...

then nobody can.