No Turning Back

Keep the nose coming around.

And watch the horizon.

That's it.

Rachel.

Hello?

Haven't you have some news for your Dad?

I got into Little Shop of Horrors at school.

Well done Pumpkin.

Not the part I was going for,

but it's still good to be in it.

What part did you go for?

Audrey of course.

She's the lead.

Makayla and Ashleigh said I did the best audition

and they reckon I should've got the role.

Well, you've never had a lead role before!

I can hope.

What does it say on Mom's fridge magnet?

"Believe in yourself, follow your dreams."

So what part did you get?

Crystal.

And are you happy to be in the show?

Yeah, yeah, I'm stoked to be in it.

That's good.

It's a fun musical and I can't wait

for rehearsals to start.

Well, you can tell your drama teacher

if she needs any help with the costumes

with the costumes I can be there.

Okay thanks Mom.

Rachel's parent teacher interviews

are Thursday at 6:30.

Are you coming?

Of course.

Have I ever missed one of

Rachel's parent teacher interviews?

Her teachers all love her to bits

just like her Daddy does.

Oh, I forgot to tell you.

I got offered a promotion on Friday.

Hm, I like the sound of that.

Bill.

You wanted to see me?

Just a second Nick.

I'm very pleased to tell you that we

have scored that Wentworth contract.

The partners are pretty chuffed.

We want you to stop working on the

Northland Aerospace job

and take over as project manager for Wentworth

as Technical Support Chief Engineer.

You'll have a team of four including Bill Yates,

Eric Shephard, Peter Wong,

and Dave Callan who will all report to you.

This is a promotion Nick.

Sorry, it's just, I'm about three months away

from finishing the Northland job.

We'll get Sanderson to finish off for you.

Salary reviews are coming up in April

and you are guaranteed an increase.

I'm guessing it will be a decent one too.

How long do you reckon it will take

to see this one through?

Now, it's a big job so three years if all goes to plan.

But it could be as long as five.

Are you in?

Yeah, okay.

Okay.

Okay?

Y'know Nick, I thought you you would be as keen as mustard.

I mean I fought hard to get you to head this team.

You have always wanted to lead a team

and now I offer you this

and all I get is a cool "okay."

Let's have a chat in my office

And what did you say?

I said I'll let him know.

Nick, it's a promotion for gods sake!

I just need to think about it for a few days.

Well, why don't you see if you can get a few weeks

holiday in before the job starts because,

look what I got from the travel agent today?

There's a great 14 day cruise leaving

from Sydney the day after our anniversary.

So I thought we could spend our anniversary in Sydney

and then start off the next day.

Well, don't you even want to know where it goes?

I'm not sure that I can get away in June.

You do realize its our 20th anniversary?

I know and I'll find something special,

maybe a weekend away.

How many years have you been promising me a cruise?

You always find a reason why we can't go.

She's right Dad.

You've always have an excuse!

Well it's not as easy as that.

I have I have some work commitments during that period.

Rachel, why don't you tell Mom

and Dad what happened to Emma today?

Why don't you?

Well she's not my greenie friend

Emma got arrested today.

What? Emma?

Mm-hm, she was at the Greenpeace march

and something happened

and then she ended up in jail for over an hour.

Now you see why I didn't want you to go?

Mom, there were thousands of people there

and only two people got in trouble.

Anyway, she's home now.

Today's flight was a lot of fun.

I really really want to study aviation

What you really mean is you'd like

to do a pilots training course.

Well that would be super cool!

Max, your Dad and I think it's important

to follow your dreams,

but we'd like you to do a bachelors degree first.

Dad, you did Avionics, so why can't I?

No, the engineering degree came first,

then the avionics.

I'd like you to get your bachelors first

then the whole world's your oyster.

I nearly forgot.

You've got some very interesting mail today.

How was your test today Rachel?

It sucked.

I hate science, I just hope I pass.

You are so full of crap, you always say that.

Ah, hello!

I passed my last science exam with "Achieved".

Hardly a scholarship you brainiac.

Aren't you gonna open the letter?

I already know what's inside..

And?

I received an email a few weeks ago,

I was just waiting for the right time to tell you.

Tell me what?

It's from MarsX.

Are you serious?

I have applied for one of the 24 slots to go to mars

and I've been shortlisted as one of 100 applicants.

No you have not.

There were over 200,000 applicants,

so I didn't think I had a chance.

C'mon, you are so full of bullshit.

Mom, who's swearing now?

I filled out the application in June last year

and forgot all about it.

MarsX contacted me in January

to set set up an online interview

for their chief medical officer,

which I did the following week

and I probably should've told you then,

but I still didn't think I had a chance in hell.

Show me the letter.

Are you frigging kidding me?

You've applied to go to Mars?

Tell me you are not serious!

Its only an application, that's all.

An application?

It's more than a bloody application!

You have been shortlisted!

Wait a minute.

I'm not gonna fall for that one.

You're so pulling my leg.

Is this for real?

It's for real.

If this it's a joke, I don't think it's funny.

Mom, I think Dad's being serious.

That letter is for real.

You're considering going to Mars

and you never even discussed this with me?

Dad!

So how long does that mean you have to be away?

It's a one-way trip.

One way?

It is currently the only way

that they can get people on Mars within the next 20 years.

But with technology advancing the way that it is,

there's a real chance of a return flight

at some point in the future.

So when is this happening then?

2031, so it's a long way off,

but I would have to travel

to the States for training sometime soon.

Forgive me but I'm having real difficulty

understanding this.

Are you telling me you're prepared to leave this family,

leave me, leave your kids,

your mother and all of your friends

and just go off to Mars for the rest of your life

with people you've never even met?

Was Neil Armstrong wrong

because he wanted to be the first man on the moon?

Christopher Columbus, Francis Drake,

Yuri Gagarin!

I mean, where would we be if brave people

didn't step out and take a risk?

You're missing the point.