“White Cop: Damn Russians are watching us right now. Sputniks. You girls ever meet those astronauts? Mercury Seven?
Mary Jackson: Absolutely.
Katherine Johnson: Uh, yes, sir. We work with those gentlemen all the time.
White Cop: Those boys are the best we got. I’m sure of that.
Katherine Johnson: Yeah.
Mary Jackson: Yeah.
White Cop: We got to get a man up there before the commies do.
Katherine Johnson: Yes.
Mary Jackson: Absolutely.
White Cop: Whole damn country’s counting on them.
Dorothy Vaughan: That’s for certain.
Mary Jackson: Hard being of service broken down on the side of the road, though.
White Cop: Right, right. Uh, well, do y’all need a tow or something?
Dorothy Vaughan: No, thank you, Officer. I think I got it. Just give me my…
[Katherine reaches in the car and passes something to Dorothy]
Dorothy Vaughan: Just need to bypass the starter.
Katherine Johnson: She’s good at this stuff.
[Dorothy quickly gets the car started]
Dorothy Vaughan: Wooh! Attagirl. We’re all set.
White Cop: Well, hell, the least I can do is give y’all an escort. I imagine you’re running late to work.
Katherine Johnson: Oh, no, sir. We wouldn’t want to bother you.
Mary Jackson: That would be wonderful, Officer. Thank you so much, sir.
White Cop: Follow me.
Mary Jackson: I’m driving. Hurry up, Dorothy, before he changes his mind.
Dorothy Vaughan: We’re coming. Hold your horses.”
More from Allison Schroeder
“Mary Jackson: That Colonel Jim is a tall glass of water. Dorothy Vaughan: That he is.…”
“[to the NASA workers] Al Harrison: Just to be clear in fourteen days, the Mercury Seven…”
“[to Mary] I don’t want to see you get hurt. NASA’s never ever given you guys your due.…”
“Constance Johnson: Mama? Katherine Johnson: Yes, baby? Constance Johnson: Are the Russians…”