Look, son, Harrison said. I don’t know who you are but I can assure you this is my room and my name is Max Peck and if you’ve got a problem with that, I suggest you take it up with the manager. I believe his name is Max Peck!
He slammed the receiver back in its cradle.
I need a drink, he said to the empty room. He showered, changed, and headed down to the bar. As soon as he saw Pete Conrad with a tumbler in his hand he knew who he’d been speaking to on the telephone.
Pete Conrad, Harrison said. The Lovelace washout.
Mr. Peck, I presume? Conrad said, turning and smiling. The men shook hands.
I thought I recognized the voice, Harrison said.
Conrad laughed. How the hell are you?
Good.
What’ll it be?
Scotch, thanks. So are we all Max Peck today?
Yup, Conrad said.
Well, I can’t wait to meet the others, Harrison said. How many are we, anyway?
Nine, Conrad said. And here comes another one now.
John Young, a navy pilot and Pax River alumni, walked over, drink in one hand, fat cigar in the other.
Mr. Peck, Conrad said. We’ve been waiting for you.
Shit, Young said. You too? What the hell’s Deke playing at?
John, Conrad said, this here’s Jim Harrison.
Young stuck his cigar between his teeth and shook Harrison’s hand.
Real pleasure, Young said.
Likewise, Harrison said. Hell, am I the only air force?
Nope, Conrad said. The same loophole you snuck through let in a couple more.
Well that’s a damn shame, Harrison said, smiling.
The bartender approached them.
What’ll it be, gentlemen?
Same again for me, Conrad said. Plus a scotch and—John?
Make that two.
Coming up, the bartender said.
And here comes Shaky! Conrad said, spotting Lovell wander into the bar, looking apprehensive.
Damn, Lovell said, seeing the men. It’s like the fleet has landed.
Drink? Conrad said.
Well, if you insist, Pete, Lovell said, then, turning to the others, Jim, John; pleasure to see you gentlemen here.
Likewise.
When the bartender returned with their drinks, Harrison said, say, let’s take these through to the lobby; see if we can’t spot a few more Max Pecks coming in.
Great idea, Conrad said.
They sat and drank and watched five other men experience the same confusion they had at the reception desk. As each man left with his key, the group would holler and cheer and the new arrival would look up, smile, shake his head and walk over. Harrison knew Frank Borman, Tom Stafford and Jim McDivitt; all flight test instructors at Edwards. He shook their hands and introduced them to the others. Ed White came over. He was tall, athletic; a West Pointer with a generous grin. He’d been doing all-weather testing at Wright-Patterson. Harrison only knew him by name.
Eight down, one to go, Lovell said.
The men ordered another round of drinks and then Harrison stood up as a short man with a wry smile approached the group.
Neil, you sly dog, Harrison said, shaking his hand and laughing.
Damn, Neil said. I was a week in San Antonio for those tests and a week here at Ellington for assessment and I didn’t see you once!
They must’ve staggered us, Harrison said.
Two X-15 pilots? Conrad said. We are truly blessed.
I guess this is us, then, huh? Borman said, looking round.
Guess so, Harrison said.
Not bad, Conrad said. Not bad at all.
The next morning they traveled to Ellington Air Force Base, close to where the vast Manned Spacecraft Center was rapidly being constructed on the thousand acres of murky scrubland at the edge of Clear Lake. Deke wanted them to meet the NASA brass. The men made their way to the large hall where the meeting was supposed to take place.
Jim, Deke said as the men entered.
Deke, he said, shaking his hand.
The hall had no windows and the light was poor. There were two suited men standing and talking together on the far side who looked up and began to walk toward them.
Glad you could make it down, Deke said.
Well, it’s good to be here, Deke, Harrison said. How’s Marge?
She’s good thanks, good. Gentlemen, welcome, Deke said to the others. I’ll be with you in just a minute. He turned back to Harrison.
Listen, I’m sorry we didn’t get the chance to chat more, you know, back in December.
Oh, sure, Deke, Harrison said. Thanks.
Deke slapped his shoulder. Sure good to have you here, he said.
Harrison nodded.
Okay, gentlemen, Deke said, as the two suited men joined him, good morning. We’ve got a lot to cover today so I’m just gonna get straight on with it. You know me and I sure as hell know more than I’d like to about you after all them tests.
The men laughed.