Project Moonbase

by Robert A. Heinlein

Set in a future 1970, the United States is considering building bases on the Moon. Colonel Briteis (whose first name is never stated, played by Donna Martell), Major Bill Moore (Ross Ford), and Doctor Wernher (Larry Johns) are sent to orbit the Moon to survey landing sites for future lunar missions. However, Dr. Wernher is an impostor whose mission is to destroy the US's Earth-orbiting space station, which he plans to do by colliding the rocket with the station on the way back from the Moon. Colonel Briteis (which is repeatedly pronounced "Bright Eyes") is arrogant, rash and distrusting of Major Moore. Moore, in turn had a romantic interest in Briteis when they began in the USSF, but was rejected in favor of her ambition to be the first person on the Moon.

Moore realizes that the man claiming to be Wernher (who taught in Brooklyn) is actually a spy for an unnamed country, because the imposter has no knowledge of Werhner's trade nor the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team. In the ensuing struggle for the control of the rocket, Col. Briteis accidentally hits the boosters, which saves their lives, but leaves them stranded. She takes unfair blame which Moore assures her is not her fault. Briteis then realizes, she may not have all the answers and does need help on the mission from Moore. They have to make an emergency landing on the Moon. With them all marooned, Dr. Wernher redeems himself by helping establish communications with Earth, although an accident results in his untimely death. In response to the unexpected turn of events, the US authorities decide to make the immobilized spaceship the core of a new moon base. Later, the General, called Pappy, has a heart to heart with Moore on his feelings about Briteis. Moore is insecure in her feelings as he states "she has no need for me." Briteis, overhearing this, later proposes to Moore via Papi and cuts a deal with Madame President to make Moore Brigadier General of Project Moonbase to make up for her earlier actions towards Moore.