[ WP ] Write about the `` real '' reason why the world was competing to get to the moon first .

***XX/XX/1967*** 
 
 The laugh could be heard all the way down the hall, three men in suits were staring at the President of the United States with a stoic expression. 
 
 `` Repeat that again, that's the funniest damn thing I've heard all year.'' The President grinned, even though the agents looked entirely serious there was no way that anything they said could be true. `` I asked you to repeat that.'' The President smiled as the middle of the three men cleared his throat. 
 
 `` It's imperative, sir.'' He did n't repeat it, the President could n't help but frown at that, then he sighed. 
 
 `` Crazy son of a bitch. Alright, well even if it is urgent you really expect me to get us to the moon by 1969 at the *latest*? I gave that speech a few years back to rile us up, but 1969 is a hell of a stretch.'' The agents looked to the President with their still emotionless expression, they were being. Kennedy leaned back in his chair with a slightly frustrated sigh, then nodded, `` we'll do what we must.'' 
 
 ***July 20th, 1969*** 
 
 `` Apollo 11 this is mission control, how do you read? Over.'' 
 
 `` Mission Control this is Apollo 11, Buzz Aldrin, we read you loud and clear. Over.'' Every time he floated from his chair it took his breath away, figuratively speaking, and the beautiful reflection of the stars on their window had been more beautiful than he ever could have imagined. They were hours away from landing on the moon for the first time, beating out the Soviets and any other country that dared to dream big. This was a win for the good old United States and he was proud of his country. 
 
 `` Hey Buzz,'' one of the astronauts said as their spacecraft continued to float across the endless tide of space, the bright ball in the sky, not made of cheese at all, inched closer. `` Can I tell you something?'' 
 
 `` What is it, Michael?'' Buzz replied, still staring at the infinite expanse ahead. 
 
 `` I saw the report.'' 
 
 `` What report?'' 
 
 `` The report, why we're here.'' 
 
 `` The one that says we're here because we want to explore the moon?'' Buzz turned to his fellow astronaut Michael Collins, his cockamamie comment about'why we're here' almost making Buzz chuckle. `` Why we're telling each other something, what do you think of the line'one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind'? Memorable, right?'' 
 
 `` Buzz you're not listening, we're not here because we want to put our flag on the moon before the hammer and sickle gets planted, we're here for the rocks.'' 
 
 `` Of course we're here for the rocks, we need soil samples, or did you skim the mission details?'' Buzz rubbed his temples, Michael ended up going quiet and decided not to instigate it further. 
 
 ***July 24th, 1969*** 
 
 `` Did you get it?'' 
 
 `` Yes.'' 
 
 ***XX/XX/1981*** 
 
 `` Sir you ca n't.'' 
 
 `` And why the hell not?! Those bean heads in accounting do n't know anything, it'll be great!'' 
 
 `` $ 70 million?'' 
 
 `` 12 years ago I helped put them on that confounded place, the least they can do is spare $ 70 million of the stuff! See about a discount!'' 
 
 She sighed. `` Alright, Mr. Johnson, I'll do what I can.'' 
 
 `` Thank you, Caroline. Now can you bring me some lemonade I'm feeling like having lemony sugar water!'' 
 
 `` Yes, sir.''
