6:49
`` What ? '' `` Grain , '' Rick said again . `` This thing is a small solid-propellant rocket ! '' The Empty Boat The Swiss torsion clock on Steve Ames 's fireplace mantle read 6:49 . Rick and Scotty , in slacks , shirts , and moccasins , sat in armchairs and tried to stay awake . The small rocket , cleaned and dried , rested on a newspaper on Steve 's table . `` Rockoon , '' Rick said .