Your supervisor is Mr. Al Harrison,
Director of the Space Task Group. You’ll
write research, proof calculations, so
forth. Don’t talk to Mr. Harrison lest
he talks to you. Not many Computers last
more than a few days, he’s been through a
dozen in as many months.
(hands her a lanyard)
Your clearance.
Katherine takes the lanyard. She’s overwhelmed. They arrive
at steel doors labeled: Space Task Group.
VIVIAN MITCHELL (CONT’D)
They’ve never had a colored in here
before, Katherine. Don’t embarrass me.
Vivian walks off, leaving Katherine alone. She takes a deep
breath. Walks into her future.
INT. SPACE TASK GROUP OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
Katherine steps into a cyclone of activity and stress.
ENGINEERS chalk equations on blackboards, slug coffee. AIDES
and SUPPORT STAFF scurry, answer phones. This is the Space
Task Group: the world’s most exclusive scientific club.
At the back of the room, Harrison paces in his glass bubble,
talking with Karl Zielinski.
For the briefest moment, everyone seems to be looking at the
black woman who just entered their world. But it’s just a
passing moment, there’s far too much to do.
Engineer Sam Turner hands Katherine a trash can.
SAM TURNER
This wasn’t emptied last night.
KATHERINE
I’m sorry. I’m not-
He’s gone before she can explain. Katherine sees the only
other woman in this zoo: Ruth. Puts the trash can down,
walks her way.
KATHERINE (CONT’D)
Excuse me, ma’am, Mr. Harrison’s Computer
reporting.
Ruth barely looks up from beneath a pile of worksheets.
Hidden Figures - 5/9/2016 - Shooting Draft - 21 .
CONTINUED:
VIVIAN MITCHELL (CONT'D)
(CONTINUED)
