THEY PROMISED HER THE MOON

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SYNOPSIS

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The first American woman to test for space flight, Jerrie Cobb, steps into an isolation tank for a record-breaking nine hours as her memories unfold before her, from learning to fly a plane as a child in Oklahoma to testifying in Congressional hearings about the under-the-radar all-female Mercury 13 space program. They Promised Her the Moon is a compelling drama about the challenges of sisterhood and fighting for the greater good, based on a true story.

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CHARACTERS:

WOMEN:

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JERRIE COBB - (from teens to 70s) a determined but down-to-earth pilot whose ambition is to be the first female astronaut. [Does kiss actor playing JACK.]

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JACKIE COCHRAN (from late 20s to early 50s) – confident world renown test pilot who is the wealthy supporter of the testing program for female astronauts. A strong feminist and a bit of a loner.

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HELENA – (50s) JERRIE’s mom- a very devout Christan lady who believes that a woman’s place is in her support supporting her family. She quotes scripture to JERRIE frequently and they have a strained relationship. She is also a bit estranged from her husband HARVEY.

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REPORTERS, MRS. WHITE, CHILDREN – several ensemble roles from reporters, a teacher, some childhood playmates of JERRIE, etc.

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YOUNG JERRIE (AGE 7) young JERRIE is a precocious, confident child with a speech impediment – she loves her father, is at odds with her mother and wants to be a pilot.

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MEN:

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DR. LOVELACE (50s) a passionate scientist who dreams to be a significant part of the Space Program, and believes that research is the priority in space exploration and believes women are the better choice for astronauts.

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HARVEY COBB – (50s) JERRIE’s dad. He dotes on his daughter, but he is a bit of a mess, he drinks a little too much, is estranged from his wife, HELENE. His daughter, JERRIE is his whole world.

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JACK FORD – (40s) a confident, flirty accomplished pilot and sometime love interest of JERRIE. He is married to someone else, and eventually finds himself at odds with JERRIE’s fame.  [Does kiss actress playing JERRIE.]

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JOHN GLENN (40s) a self-assured astronaut, confident, well-spoken and trusted – considered an expert on NASA astronaut training.

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CONGRESSMAN ANFUSO – one of the congressman JERRIE testifies in front of – he seems to be willing to give women astronauts a chance.

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CONGRESSMAN WAGGONER - one of the congressman JERRIE testifies in front of – he seems to be unwilling to give women astronauts a chance.

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CIRCUS BOB – owns a circus that includes a barnstorming pilot. Hires a young JERRIE for his circus.

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REPORTERS, MAYOR, PILOT – ensemble actors who play several roles.

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JACKIE. Listen Jerrie, there is not enough room for you on my side. Life magazine didn't call this Jackie Cochran's Women in Space Program, did they? It was all Jerrie. You ate it up with a spoon. You enjoyed it-and I paid for it. That should have been me. You weren't the right person to be out front. You weren't. And look, Jerrie, it wasn't going to happen. I could see that. I chose to be on the winning side. That door was shut, darlin'. I will find a window open down the line-you can be sure of that. But the door was shut. And there's no point scratching on it. It just irritates everyone.

 

 

HELENA:

You want! You want! My father-your grandfather-was a congressman. But do you think he could have accomplished what he did without Mother taking care of the house, the children, the social calendar? No. He could not. And I, when I married your father, don't you think I wanted ...(HELENA stops herself midsentence.) When I think of things that-didn't go the way I'd hoped-I put that thought in a little jar. And l close that lid very tight. And place that jar way back in the pantry. Behind the pickles. And that's where it stays. You should try that. You really should. 1 don't know what makes you think the rules don't apply to you. You have to accept what God has given you. "For indeed man was not created for the woman's sake, but woman for the man's sake." Corinthians 11:9.

 

 

REPORTER. Nine hours and fifty minutes later she reemerged from an isolation tank. The same tank that tested the Mercury 7-that's right-those brave men, our American heroes. One day last February, trim, twenty-nine-year-old Geraldyn Cobb packed a single suitcase, said goodbye to her fellow workers in Bethany, Oklahoma, and left for a supposed vacation with her parents. Jerrie Cobb never reached home. Last week Jerrie's strange disappearance was explained by Dr. Randolph Lovelace.

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FOR YOUNG JERRIE:

She has a speech impediment – and the meaning of her lines is in italics.

HARVEY (He looks her over.) You are a mess, your mama will not be pleased. Your sister was supposed to watch you.

JERRIE. I ra way. (I ran away.)

HARVEY. She shoulda gone after you.

JERRIE. Is ohay. (It's okay.)

HARVEY. No. It is not. You should be able to trust your own sister to take care of you.

JERRIE. I li ben aone. (I like being alone.)

HARVEY. What am I going do with you?

JERRIE. Ta ma fyan! (Take me flying!)

(He laughs.)

HARVEY. Mother will not let me take you flyin' 'til you go to the doctor.

(He watches her.)

Look, it's just a little operation, sweetheart. A snip. Right under your tongue. And then people will be able to understand you.

JERRIE. You uda stan me. (You understand me.)

HARVEY. Other people. Open up a whole new world, I promise.

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USE FOR JACK / JERRIE

JACK. Flying in formation with these babies is tough. A lot of metal to control. Sure you can handle it?

JERRIE. Like you said. I've handled everything else.

JACK. Including me.

JERRIE. Oh, you're not so tough.

JACK. Really? Keeping me at a safe distance, aren't ya? Not many do.

JERRIE. Get outta here.

JACK. What if we take a few days off? We'll be in Paris.

JERRIE. What are you doing?

JACK. I believe I'm flirting.

JERRIE. Oh. Well-quit it.

JACK. You don't mean that.

JERRIE. Hasn't anyone ever said no to you?

JACK. Not that I can recall.

JERRIE. Oh, really.

JACK. You intend to be the first?

JERRIE. Well ... I ...

(She doesn't seem to have the answer. So he leans in for a kiss. She pulls away.)

JERRIE. Jack. I am incredibly grateful to you for the opportunity of flying planes that most women do not get to fly.

JACK. (Smiling). See you in Paris.

 

 

CIRCUS BOB. Oh, okay. You got yourself a job. (JERRIE jumps for joy.) Simmer down! So you'll be barnstorming for me and my circus. You fly over these towns droppin' my flyers. Stirs up the excitement like nothin'. Those kids think God himself is coming to town with lions and tigers and clowns. And…Between ... Well, I guess you fly all you like. You can chalk up more flying hours and make us some extra money taking folks up for rides if you want.  Just don’t crash, and for God's sakes don't kill anyone.

 

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DR. LOVELACE Scene: Use for DR. LOVELACE

DR. LOVELACE. Jerrie, is this so important to you for the sake of science or do you just want ... ? Look-I don't care who goes up in space. If it's you or John Glenn. Except for the fact that he weighs seventy-nine pounds more, and that means I could have put seventy-nine more pounds of tiny equipment in that can.

JERRIE. That's all this means to you?

DR. LOVELACE. This means everything to me. Spaceflight is my life's work. Jerrie, you have to have someone build the scaffolding so there's somewhere to put the rocket.

JERRIE. I want to be in the rocket. I want to be the rocket.

DR. LOVELACE. You're young. I get it. I wanted to be the hero, too.

JERRIE. No.

DR. LOVELACE. I have planted some of the seeds, and now so have you. That's what you have to accept.

JERRIE. I don't. I don't accept it. Because the truth is it makes logical sense to put women in the space program.

DR. LOVELACE. Well, sometimes politics makes the truth irrelevant.

JERRIE. It isn't fair!

DR. LOVELACE. No. Life isn't fair! That's right. Are you just learning that?

JERRIE. I don't accept it.

DR. LOVELACE. Jerrie, you can accept it or not. It's what is!

USE FOR JOHN GLENN OR THE CONGRESSMEN

JOHN GLENN. No, sir; I’m not against women. I think sometimes the papers and magazines have been misleading about this physical examination program run out there for some of the women in Albuquerque. As if once these ladies passed the physical examination, they were automatically astronauts. My mother could probably pass the physical exam that they give preseason for the Dallas Cowboys, but I doubt if she could play too many games for them.I think this gets back to the way our social order is organized, really. It is just a fact. The men go off and fight the wars and fly the airplanes and come back and help design and build and test them. The fact that women are not in this field is a fact of our social order.

 

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FOR HARVEY:

HARVEY. Geraldyn, you look at me girl. Right now.

(She does.)

I always knew you were extraordinary. Always! And now everyone else knows. And you are my daughter! Yes, you are. I tell ya, life can throw a lot of bad things at ya. I sure know that. And you have to learn to take the good when it happens. I wish I had. There are plenty a times when there's nothing to celebrate. Plenty of times there is nothing. So when there is somethin', grab it with both hands and eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! You got that? Do that for me. Won't you? Do it for me.

 

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FOR ENSEMBLE ROLES:

REPORTER. Nine hours and fifty minutes later she reemerged from an isolation tank. The same tank that tested the Mercury 7-that's right-those brave men, our American heroes. One day last February, trim, twenty-nine-year-old Geraldyn Cobb packed a single suitcase, said goodbye to her fellow workers in Bethany, Oklahoma, and left for a supposed vacation with her parents. Jerrie Cobb never reached home. Last week Jerrie's strange disappearance was explained by Dr. Randolph Lovelace.