Moonshot Redux

Decades in the future ...

In their mid-30s, roommates Joe and Christina went to their favorite bar-and-grill to watch a momentous spectacle and to be surrounded by fellow enthusiasts.

They joined a get-together announced on an astronomical society's social media page—mostly composed of college students and retired engineers, many of whom were robocentric designers, predecessors to the current ready to launch human-space-mission.

"Christina, it looks like the restaurant's packed, but there's a couple of stools available at the bar. Do you mind if we use those?"

"Not at all, Joe, your friend, Bob, the bartender, is here, and besides, they're closer to the TV. I want to hear everything."

They both sat at the bar.

"Hey, Bob, what's your special drink today?" asked Joe.

"Oh, hey, Joe. Well, I made a concoction I call Moonshot Redux to celebrate this major event."

"We'll take two, Bob!" Christina smiled.

"Alright, but it's strong stuff. Make sure the two of you ride-share home."

"We just live a few blocks away." Joe laughed.

Christina chuckled and nodded.

The news broadcast started, and the clamor in the crowded restaurant settled down a bit:

"Ladies and gentlemen, we're finally returning to the moon, this time for keeps. The astronauts are following a series of robotic missions that set up a moon base for our next journey, Mars!"

...

Decades in the future ...

In their mid-30s, roommates Joe and Christina went to their favorite bar-and-grill to watch a momentous spectacle and to be surrounded by fellow enthusiasts.

They joined a get-together announced on an astronomical society's social media page—mostly composed of college students and retired engineers, many of whom were robocentric designers, predecessors to the current ready to launch human-space-mission.

"Christina, it looks like the restaurant's packed, but there's a couple of stools available at the bar. Do you mind if we use those?"

"Not at all, Joe, your friend, Bob, the bartender, is here, and besides, they're closer to the TV. I want to hear everything."

They both sat at the bar.

"Hey, Bob, what's your special drink today?" asked Joe.

"Oh, hey, Joe. Well, I made a concoction I call Moonshot Redux to celebrate this major event."

"We'll take two, Bob!" Christina smiled.

"Alright, but it's strong stuff. Make sure the two of you ride-share home."

"We just live a few blocks away." Joe laughed.

Christina chuckled and nodded.

The news broadcast started, and the clamor in the crowded restaurant settled down a bit:

"Ladies and gentlemen, we're finally returning to the moon, this time for keeps. The astronauts are following a series of robotic missions that set up a moon base for our next journey, Mars!"