Part 2/8:
The scene quickly shifts from the grandeur of space exploration to the mundane reality of Neil's life, where he is interrupted during an interview discussing his best-selling novel by his barking dog, Dennis. Realizing it was all a dream, Neil is met with the usual wrath of his neighbor Fiona, who threatens to call the authorities if he does not tame Dennis.
As Neil walks his dog, he encounters Catherine West, a neighbor he has long harbored a crush on. Their awkward conversation reveals his ambitions to become a successful author, something he has yet to accomplish. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Neil, the Atlas Centaur probe has encountered an alien ship, leading to a debate among the extraterrestrial council whether to obliterate Earth or give its inhabitants a chance at redemption.