Minute 087: They Brought Me Here to Do a Job

Apollo 13 Minute Podcast

Lovell, Haise, and Swigert are in the Lunar Module. Swigert is expressing his concerns.

“You think they would tell us?” asks Swigert. “There’s no reason for them to tell us!”

“What you mean they’re not gonna tell us?” replies Haise. “That’s bullsh–!”

“All right!” says Lovell. “There are thousand things that have to happen in order we are on number eight, you’re talking about number six hundred ninety-two.”

“And in the meantime, “replies Swigert, “I’m trying to tell you we’re coming in too fast. I think they know it, and I think that’s why we don’t have a goddamn re-entry plan!”

“That’s duly noted,” says Lovell. “Thank you, Jack.”

Swigert bangs his head on the tunnel access.

“Ow!” yells Swigert. “Goddamn this piece of sh–!”

“Hey!” responds Haise. “This piece of sh–‘s gonna get you home!”

“All right,” says Lovell.

“That’s because it’s the only thing we’ve got left, Jack!” shouts Haise.

“What’re you saying, Fred?” asks Swigert.

“Well, I think you know what I’m saying,” replies Haise.

“Now wait a minute,” says Swigert, “All I did was stir those tanks.”

“What was that gauge reading before you hit the switch?” says Haise.

“Hey,” says Swigert, “don’t tell me how to fly the damn CM! All right?”

“You don’t even know, do you?” asks Haise.

“They brought me in here to do a job,” replies Swigert, “they asked me to stir the damn tanks and I stirred the tanks!”

“Jack,” says Lovell, “stop kicking yourself in the ass.”

“This is not my fault!” says Swigert.

“No one is saying it is,” replies Lovell. “If I’m in the left-hand seat when the call comes up, I stir the tanks.”

“Yeah, Well tell him that,” says Swigert.

“I just asked you,” says Haise.

IN THIS MINUTE:

Tom Hanks as Jim Lovell

Bill Paxton as Fred Haise

Kevin Bacon as Jack Swigert