SciFi Trivia question for you

Television, Movies Games and Books Other Science Fiction
#1

I’m having a conversation with an actor friend, he’s looking for great stories that would make for great scripts. Naturally, I try to steer him in the SF direction. I recommended “A Pail of Air” by Fritz Lieber, but I’m trying to figure out who wrote another short story I once read that I never forgot. Here’s the premise:

A ship of people runs into trouble somehow, don’t remember what. They all suit up. A blast happens and they all get shot into space in different directions. At this point they all know they are dead. Just some time to wait. Everyone is in radio contact with one another. Everyone has different amounts of air. Everyone reacts differently.

It was a psychological drama, really, set in space. It could as easily have been WWII Navy in the South Pacific when the ship goes down and the sharks come. I thought it would make for a great play, maybe not a great movie. I would have read this story probably in the seventies, so if you are under 40 forget it and go read about Cylons. :0

If anyone on here is can remember this story or anything about it, please let me know!

Thanks

#2

“Kaleidoscope” by Ray Bradbury.

Damn, my google-fu is strong.

#3

Sounds similar to Asimov’s Marooned Off Vesta. I’ll have to keep looking.

ETA: No need. Pike is the lawn master. bows to Pike

#4

Man oh man you nailed it. That was it. Was it in “The Illustrated Man”? It’s already a play too: http://www.dramaticpublishing.com/p767/Kaleidoscope/product_info.html

And I feel so vindicated, I told him SF fans would have the answer.

#5

bows to Talos

However, if it’s a play you want, a play there was. Also, a radio play.

If you’re looking for a good story what needs adaptation, try Jerimiah Tolbert’s “Captain Blood’s B00ty” (this version in audio) http://www.starshipsofa.com/forum/topic.php?id=1049 (starts around seventeen minutes in)

I sorta know the guy, so PM me if he’s interested.