A secondary, interwoven storyline follows a different but connected scientific quest. Unbeknownst to Hawking, just as he was being diagnosed in 1963, two American scientists were embarking on their own scientific mission. Their research was to produce hard evidence to support Hawking's theoretical work.
This subplot revolves around an unrelated but related scientific investigation. At the same time as Hawking's diagnosis in 1963, two American researchers were conducting their own research with the ultimate aim of providing concrete evidence to support Hawking's theoretical ideas.