WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.730 align:middle line:90% 00:00:01.730 --> 00:00:05.690 align:middle line:84% There will be a reading tomorrow night at Pima College. 00:00:05.690 --> 00:00:11.060 align:middle line:84% Poet Bob Thompson will be reading in Building A at 8:30. 00:00:11.060 --> 00:00:14.540 align:middle line:90% Our next reading is October 26. 00:00:14.540 --> 00:00:16.800 align:middle line:84% Now, that's the only reading for the year 00:00:16.800 --> 00:00:18.860 align:middle line:90% that's scheduled for a Tuesday. 00:00:18.860 --> 00:00:20.300 align:middle line:90% Everything else is Monday-- 00:00:20.300 --> 00:00:22.010 align:middle line:90% I mean Wednesday. 00:00:22.010 --> 00:00:25.790 align:middle line:84% But that's a Tuesday, the 26th, in this building. 00:00:25.790 --> 00:00:28.340 align:middle line:84% And the readers will be three British poets-- 00:00:28.340 --> 00:00:35.300 align:middle line:84% Patricia Beer, Adrian Henri, and Pete Morgan. 00:00:35.300 --> 00:00:37.310 align:middle line:84% I hope you can come to the Student Union, 00:00:37.310 --> 00:00:39.650 align:middle line:84% the terrace lounge to meet Mr. Dobler following 00:00:39.650 --> 00:00:43.490 align:middle line:84% tonight's reading, and have some punch and cookies. 00:00:43.490 --> 00:00:46.520 align:middle line:84% Copies of Mr. Dobler's book, The Last Rush North, 00:00:46.520 --> 00:00:51.260 align:middle line:84% will be available for sale, as well as publications 00:00:51.260 --> 00:00:56.750 align:middle line:84% by Blue Moon News and the newest issue of Grilled Flowers 00:00:56.750 --> 00:00:58.007 align:middle line:90% Magazine. 00:00:58.007 --> 00:01:01.350 align:middle line:90% 00:01:01.350 --> 00:01:05.220 align:middle line:84% Bruce Dobler is on the creative writing faculty this year. 00:01:05.220 --> 00:01:07.910 align:middle line:90% 00:01:07.910 --> 00:01:10.130 align:middle line:90% He was born in Chicago. 00:01:10.130 --> 00:01:13.940 align:middle line:84% He's been a trainman on the Rock Island line and the Illinois 00:01:13.940 --> 00:01:18.200 align:middle line:84% Central railroad, a movie projectionist in Iowa, 00:01:18.200 --> 00:01:21.770 align:middle line:84% a writer and residence at Phillips Exeter Academy, 00:01:21.770 --> 00:01:25.880 align:middle line:84% and a volunteer fireman in Putney, Vermont. 00:01:25.880 --> 00:01:27.650 align:middle line:90% He's published three books-- 00:01:27.650 --> 00:01:32.540 align:middle line:84% the first, I Made It Myself with M.L. Landress. 00:01:32.540 --> 00:01:35.270 align:middle line:84% The second, Icepick, a documentary 00:01:35.270 --> 00:01:38.060 align:middle line:90% of a maximum security prison. 00:01:38.060 --> 00:01:41.810 align:middle line:84% And most recently, this year, The Last Rush North, 00:01:41.810 --> 00:01:45.650 align:middle line:84% a documentary on the building of the Alaskan pipeline, 00:01:45.650 --> 00:01:49.170 align:middle line:84% and he will be reading to us tonight from that book. 00:01:49.170 --> 00:01:51.140 align:middle line:84% I read the book in one sitting on Monday 00:01:51.140 --> 00:01:52.948 align:middle line:84% because I couldn't put it down, and I 00:01:52.948 --> 00:01:54.740 align:middle line:84% know you're going to feel the same when you 00:01:54.740 --> 00:01:56.420 align:middle line:90% hear him read from it tonight. 00:01:56.420 --> 00:01:57.855 align:middle line:90% Mr. Bruce Dobler. 00:01:57.855 --> 00:02:00.705 align:middle line:90% [APPLAUSE] 00:02:00.705 --> 00:02:06.178 align:middle line:90% 00:02:06.178 --> 00:02:06.720 align:middle line:90% That's right. 00:02:06.720 --> 00:02:08.512 align:middle line:84% I'm going to read it to you in one sitting, 00:02:08.512 --> 00:02:11.780 align:middle line:90% so you better get comfortable. 00:02:11.780 --> 00:02:14.120 align:middle line:84% I suppose I should say something about why 00:02:14.120 --> 00:02:17.660 align:middle line:84% I came to be writing this stuff called documentary fiction. 00:02:17.660 --> 00:02:22.550 align:middle line:84% October-- no, December, 1972, Esquire Magazine, 00:02:22.550 --> 00:02:25.190 align:middle line:84% there was an article by Tom Wolfe. 00:02:25.190 --> 00:02:27.530 align:middle line:84% It was entitled, "Why They Aren't Writing the Great 00:02:27.530 --> 00:02:29.210 align:middle line:90% American Novel Anymore." 00:02:29.210 --> 00:02:29.930 align:middle line:90% 00:02:29.930 --> 00:02:31.910 align:middle line:84% He suggested that people weren't really making 00:02:31.910 --> 00:02:34.010 align:middle line:84% a record at the time in which they lived, 00:02:34.010 --> 00:02:36.650 align:middle line:90% the events that surrounded them. 00:02:36.650 --> 00:02:38.330 align:middle line:84% We went through the change of the '60s, 00:02:38.330 --> 00:02:40.160 align:middle line:90% and everybody ignored it. 00:02:40.160 --> 00:02:42.290 align:middle line:84% There really isn't much to account 00:02:42.290 --> 00:02:44.540 align:middle line:84% for all these fantastic things that happened. 00:02:44.540 --> 00:02:47.990 align:middle line:84% He says the writers who despised Arthur Hailey ought 00:02:47.990 --> 00:02:50.600 align:middle line:84% to go out and try to do the journalistic legwork, 00:02:50.600 --> 00:02:53.120 align:middle line:84% and digging, and just hard uncovering a facts 00:02:53.120 --> 00:02:55.220 align:middle line:84% that Hailey does, and do it well. 00:02:55.220 --> 00:02:57.230 align:middle line:84% And try to write a better book about it. 00:02:57.230 --> 00:03:00.020 align:middle line:84% I did, and for my efforts got called, in The New York Times, 00:03:00.020 --> 00:03:03.590 align:middle line:90% a middlebrow Arthur Hailey. 00:03:03.590 --> 00:03:06.260 align:middle line:84% What I'm trying to do with my fiction 00:03:06.260 --> 00:03:10.010 align:middle line:84% is to capture honestly the spirit and the mood of a place 00:03:10.010 --> 00:03:13.130 align:middle line:84% and a time that would be inaccessible to most people. 00:03:13.130 --> 00:03:16.010 align:middle line:84% I suppose a war novel does the same thing. 00:03:16.010 --> 00:03:19.130 align:middle line:84% A war novel opens somewhere in the South Pacific, 00:03:19.130 --> 00:03:20.780 align:middle line:84% and you see the battle through the eyes 00:03:20.780 --> 00:03:25.850 align:middle line:84% of the generals, the sergeants, the enlisted men, the enemy, 00:03:25.850 --> 00:03:27.740 align:middle line:90% civilians, whoever. 00:03:27.740 --> 00:03:29.817 align:middle line:84% And I'm really-- basically, you might 00:03:29.817 --> 00:03:31.400 align:middle line:84% say that this novel about the pipeline 00:03:31.400 --> 00:03:35.330 align:middle line:84% could be perhaps considered somewhere along the pipeline, 00:03:35.330 --> 00:03:40.310 align:middle line:84% because it's doing the same thing, or it tries to. 00:03:40.310 --> 00:03:44.300 align:middle line:84% The only way it seems to read a section of a novel 00:03:44.300 --> 00:03:48.800 align:middle line:84% is to find a theme, something that runs through, 00:03:48.800 --> 00:03:52.880 align:middle line:84% and so I've picked the story of a woman named Jill Jones. 00:03:52.880 --> 00:03:58.880 align:middle line:84% She's a 35-year-old, short, dark-haired truck driver, who 00:03:58.880 --> 00:04:03.290 align:middle line:90% brings home about $650 a week. 00:04:03.290 --> 00:04:07.702 align:middle line:84% She's living in a camp on the North Slope, 00:04:07.702 --> 00:04:10.160 align:middle line:84% or just short of the North Slope up near the Brooks Range-- 00:04:10.160 --> 00:04:11.077 align:middle line:90% a camp called Wiseman. 00:04:11.077 --> 00:04:14.780 align:middle line:90% 00:04:14.780 --> 00:04:19.970 align:middle line:84% She's got a boyfriend who's an airplane pilot. 00:04:19.970 --> 00:04:25.280 align:middle line:90% 00:04:25.280 --> 00:04:28.985 align:middle line:84% And I guess I'll open with a story about her-- 00:04:28.985 --> 00:04:29.825 align:middle line:90% a newspaper story. 00:04:29.825 --> 00:04:33.500 align:middle line:90% 00:04:33.500 --> 00:04:35.720 align:middle line:84% Just a little bit of a news story anyhow. 00:04:35.720 --> 00:04:37.640 align:middle line:84% "Jill Jones was featured on the front page 00:04:37.640 --> 00:04:40.130 align:middle line:84% of piping hot news with a series of pictures 00:04:40.130 --> 00:04:45.110 align:middle line:84% down the left hand column and a full five column 36 point head. 00:04:45.110 --> 00:04:49.460 align:middle line:84% The kicker, in 18 point italics, said, Jill Jones gets her fill. 00:04:49.460 --> 00:04:52.070 align:middle line:84% And the head beneath it was woman worker 00:04:52.070 --> 00:04:55.130 align:middle line:90% wows Wiseman wiseguys. 00:04:55.130 --> 00:04:57.935 align:middle line:84% Pert pretty Jill Jones stands 5 foot 5 tall, 00:04:57.935 --> 00:04:59.810 align:middle line:84% and doesn't weigh much more than a single set 00:04:59.810 --> 00:05:02.810 align:middle line:84% of tire chains for her WABCO dump truck, 00:05:02.810 --> 00:05:06.170 align:middle line:84% but every day, for 11 and sometimes 12 dusty hours, 00:05:06.170 --> 00:05:07.910 align:middle line:84% she hauls fill for the gravel road that 00:05:07.910 --> 00:05:10.220 align:middle line:84% is nearing completion between the Yukon River 00:05:10.220 --> 00:05:12.080 align:middle line:90% and Pump Station 1. 00:05:12.080 --> 00:05:13.700 align:middle line:84% Although some of the men at Wiseman 00:05:13.700 --> 00:05:17.390 align:middle line:84% made the expected jibes about women drivers and liberation, 00:05:17.390 --> 00:05:19.460 align:middle line:90% Jill takes it all in stride. 00:05:19.460 --> 00:05:21.440 align:middle line:84% 'Most of the fellas have been real sweet 00:05:21.440 --> 00:05:24.267 align:middle line:84% once they got over feeling strange about having me around. 00:05:24.267 --> 00:05:26.600 align:middle line:84% I guess there's a few who think we belong in the kitchen 00:05:26.600 --> 00:05:28.220 align:middle line:84% and not behind the wheel of a truck, 00:05:28.220 --> 00:05:30.230 align:middle line:84% but the first time I got out and did men's work, 00:05:30.230 --> 00:05:33.650 align:middle line:84% and found it was no harder than women's work and paid more, 00:05:33.650 --> 00:05:35.750 align:middle line:90% I was hooked.' 00:05:35.750 --> 00:05:37.730 align:middle line:84% Asked if she was bothered by male chauvinist 00:05:37.730 --> 00:05:39.710 align:middle line:84% attitudes on the job, Jill tucked a curl 00:05:39.710 --> 00:05:42.200 align:middle line:84% under her hard hat and allowed that it got to her from time 00:05:42.200 --> 00:05:43.100 align:middle line:90% to time. 00:05:43.100 --> 00:05:45.622 align:middle line:84% 'But mostly, I don't have time to think about that. 00:05:45.622 --> 00:05:47.330 align:middle line:84% We're in competition with the other camps 00:05:47.330 --> 00:05:48.770 align:middle line:90% to build the most haul road. 00:05:48.770 --> 00:05:53.102 align:middle line:84% And all day, mister, I'm in that truck and just flat boogieing.' 00:05:53.102 --> 00:05:54.560 align:middle line:84% According to Jill, a lot of the men 00:05:54.560 --> 00:05:56.570 align:middle line:84% who complained the most at first now 00:05:56.570 --> 00:05:59.120 align:middle line:84% say that camp life is more pleasant with women on. 00:05:59.120 --> 00:06:00.560 align:middle line:90% See page 4, women. 00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:06.770 align:middle line:90% 00:06:06.770 --> 00:06:09.440 align:middle line:84% Jill circled slowly above Sukakpak Mountain 00:06:09.440 --> 00:06:11.930 align:middle line:84% with its oddly canted side peak sticking out 00:06:11.930 --> 00:06:14.180 align:middle line:84% in the direction of the haul road. 00:06:14.180 --> 00:06:17.270 align:middle line:84% All day she had been working a material pit near Sukakpak, 00:06:17.270 --> 00:06:19.118 align:middle line:84% taking on gravel from the pair of loaders 00:06:19.118 --> 00:06:20.660 align:middle line:84% and hauling ass down to the south end 00:06:20.660 --> 00:06:24.950 align:middle line:84% of a road near a crossing of the Koyukuk River in Middle Fork. 00:06:24.950 --> 00:06:27.200 align:middle line:84% The article had caused her some embarrassment, 00:06:27.200 --> 00:06:29.810 align:middle line:84% phrases taken out of context, or observations 00:06:29.810 --> 00:06:32.870 align:middle line:84% condensed to an approximation of what she'd said. 00:06:32.870 --> 00:06:34.790 align:middle line:84% The photographer had taken some nice pictures, 00:06:34.790 --> 00:06:37.082 align:middle line:84% but the tape recordings he'd sent back of the interview 00:06:37.082 --> 00:06:40.880 align:middle line:84% must have been considerably revised." 00:06:40.880 --> 00:06:44.780 align:middle line:84% I think I'll just skip a little bit to when she and Wiggins are 00:06:44.780 --> 00:06:46.700 align:middle line:90% on the ground back in camp. 00:06:46.700 --> 00:06:49.460 align:middle line:90% 00:06:49.460 --> 00:06:53.180 align:middle line:84% "A half hour later, instead of engines roaring in their ears, 00:06:53.180 --> 00:06:55.580 align:middle line:84% there was the rush of water from the shower 00:06:55.580 --> 00:06:58.430 align:middle line:84% and the soft booming sound of the metal partition flexing 00:06:58.430 --> 00:07:01.190 align:middle line:84% in and out, as Wiggins rhythmically pressed 00:07:01.190 --> 00:07:04.070 align:middle line:90% Jill's buttocks for support. 00:07:04.070 --> 00:07:06.530 align:middle line:84% She had both legs wrapped around his waist and clung 00:07:06.530 --> 00:07:08.180 align:middle line:90% to his neck, eyes closed. 00:07:08.180 --> 00:07:10.430 align:middle line:84% Water streaming, sometimes off his back, 00:07:10.430 --> 00:07:12.650 align:middle line:90% sometimes on her upturned face. 00:07:12.650 --> 00:07:15.080 align:middle line:84% She wished he didn't boom so on the wall, 00:07:15.080 --> 00:07:17.660 align:middle line:84% but he was getting close now, and his hands tightened 00:07:17.660 --> 00:07:20.000 align:middle line:90% spasmodically on her ass. 00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:22.640 align:middle line:84% The shower curtain slid aside, and Jill, eyes closed, 00:07:22.640 --> 00:07:25.280 align:middle line:84% fumbled for it, trying to pull it shut. 00:07:25.280 --> 00:07:26.990 align:middle line:90% The fabric resisted. 00:07:26.990 --> 00:07:30.260 align:middle line:84% She saw a close set pair of eyes under bushy dark eyebrows-- 00:07:30.260 --> 00:07:31.610 align:middle line:90% the camp manager. 00:07:31.610 --> 00:07:32.990 align:middle line:90% Jill knew she mustn't scream. 00:07:32.990 --> 00:07:35.930 align:middle line:84% Instead she backhanded the man across the bridge of his nose, 00:07:35.930 --> 00:07:38.240 align:middle line:84% yanked the curtain away, and called him a bastard. 00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:39.620 align:middle line:90% Wiggins pulled out. 00:07:39.620 --> 00:07:41.660 align:middle line:84% Until Jill swore, he hadn't realized 00:07:41.660 --> 00:07:43.265 align:middle line:90% that anything was wrong. 00:07:43.265 --> 00:07:45.590 align:middle line:84% 'It's that damn creep who runs this joint,' she said. 00:07:45.590 --> 00:07:46.970 align:middle line:84% 'I think I gave him a bloody nose teach. 00:07:46.970 --> 00:07:48.678 align:middle line:84% Him to stick it where it doesn't belong.' 00:07:48.678 --> 00:07:51.830 align:middle line:84% 'Jesus,' Wiggins said, 'He'll fire me, sure as hell.' 00:07:51.830 --> 00:07:52.910 align:middle line:90% Jill peeked out. 00:07:52.910 --> 00:07:53.875 align:middle line:90% 'He's gone now. 00:07:53.875 --> 00:07:55.250 align:middle line:84% Maybe he didn't see who you were. 00:07:55.250 --> 00:07:56.120 align:middle line:90% Get your clothes together. 00:07:56.120 --> 00:07:57.290 align:middle line:90% Get upstairs to your room.' 00:07:57.290 --> 00:07:59.210 align:middle line:84% She pushed trousers at him. 'Don't dry off. 00:07:59.210 --> 00:08:01.100 align:middle line:90% Just move ass.' 00:08:01.100 --> 00:08:02.990 align:middle line:84% Wiggins ran, clutching underwear, shirt, 00:08:02.990 --> 00:08:04.137 align:middle line:90% and shoes in his arms. 00:08:04.137 --> 00:08:05.720 align:middle line:84% As he rounded the corner out of sight, 00:08:05.720 --> 00:08:07.940 align:middle line:84% the resident camp manager and the teamster steward 00:08:07.940 --> 00:08:09.290 align:middle line:90% appeared at the other end. 00:08:09.290 --> 00:08:11.390 align:middle line:90% Jill stepped back in the shower. 00:08:11.390 --> 00:08:14.930 align:middle line:84% She was on good terms with the steward, a tall Italian fellow. 00:08:14.930 --> 00:08:16.640 align:middle line:84% His name was pronounced Gallucci, 00:08:16.640 --> 00:08:18.110 align:middle line:90% but it was spelled funny. 00:08:18.110 --> 00:08:20.090 align:middle line:90% She never could get it right. 00:08:20.090 --> 00:08:22.670 align:middle line:90% 'She's in that one there.' 00:08:22.670 --> 00:08:23.210 align:middle line:90% Good. 00:08:23.210 --> 00:08:26.240 align:middle line:84% He did have a bloody nose, and was still holding it. 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:29.180 align:middle line:84% She might have been in there, the steward said, 00:08:29.180 --> 00:08:31.346 align:middle line:84% but I don't know that she's in there now. 00:08:31.346 --> 00:08:32.929 align:middle line:84% I know I'm certainly not about to pull 00:08:32.929 --> 00:08:35.030 align:middle line:90% a shower open on a woman. 00:08:35.030 --> 00:08:37.520 align:middle line:84% His voice was mellow, reasonable, and, as usual, 00:08:37.520 --> 00:08:39.304 align:middle line:90% dripping with implied threats. 00:08:39.304 --> 00:08:41.929 align:middle line:84% 'Suppose she thought I was attempting to rape 00:08:41.929 --> 00:08:42.830 align:middle line:90% or molest her. 00:08:42.830 --> 00:08:44.750 align:middle line:84% I could get worse than a bloody nose, 00:08:44.750 --> 00:08:47.960 align:middle line:84% and no jury would lift a finger against her.' 00:08:47.960 --> 00:08:49.640 align:middle line:84% Jill soaped herself under the shower. 00:08:49.640 --> 00:08:51.380 align:middle line:84% Gallucci, or whatever his name was, 00:08:51.380 --> 00:08:54.650 align:middle line:84% had come from New York, where he managed some big nightclub. 00:08:54.650 --> 00:08:57.020 align:middle line:84% He never said he had connections with the underworld, 00:08:57.020 --> 00:09:00.290 align:middle line:84% but he did little to discourage such assumptions. 00:09:00.290 --> 00:09:02.720 align:middle line:84% A timekeeper had come up to him during the lunch break 00:09:02.720 --> 00:09:04.700 align:middle line:84% and asked how to pronounce his name. 00:09:04.700 --> 00:09:06.950 align:middle line:84% The steward had gotten up, stared at the kid until his 00:09:06.950 --> 00:09:10.250 align:middle line:84% clipboard began to tremble, and without a trace of a smile 00:09:10.250 --> 00:09:14.320 align:middle line:90% said, 'With great respect.' 00:09:14.320 --> 00:09:16.060 align:middle line:84% The RCM was running water in a sink 00:09:16.060 --> 00:09:18.220 align:middle line:84% now and tearing paper towels off the wall. 00:09:18.220 --> 00:09:21.370 align:middle line:84% 'Ah,' he went a few times, and his voice came back to normal. 00:09:21.370 --> 00:09:24.010 align:middle line:84% 'Jones,' the resident camp manager shouted, 00:09:24.010 --> 00:09:25.810 align:middle line:90% 'is that you in there?' 00:09:25.810 --> 00:09:28.360 align:middle line:84% Jill turned up the water and ignored him. 00:09:28.360 --> 00:09:31.070 align:middle line:84% If there were wet footprints leading to Wiggins' room, 00:09:31.070 --> 00:09:34.750 align:middle line:84% they'd be dry by the time he found out Bill was gone. 00:09:34.750 --> 00:09:36.790 align:middle line:84% 'Perhaps the young lady, if indeed it 00:09:36.790 --> 00:09:39.580 align:middle line:84% is a young lady in there, can't hear you over the shower. 00:09:39.580 --> 00:09:40.930 align:middle line:90% I suggest we wait. 00:09:40.930 --> 00:09:42.730 align:middle line:84% Of course, this is a call out, you realize? 00:09:42.730 --> 00:09:46.230 align:middle line:84% I get four hours pay for a call out at the end of my shift.' 00:09:46.230 --> 00:09:48.670 align:middle line:84% 'They hear us, all right," the RCM muttered. 00:09:48.670 --> 00:09:51.400 align:middle line:84% 'I knew it wasn't going to work having women in these camps. 00:09:51.400 --> 00:09:53.663 align:middle line:84% They never should have let them in.' 00:09:53.663 --> 00:09:55.330 align:middle line:84% 'You should have told the reporter that. 00:09:55.330 --> 00:09:58.180 align:middle line:84% It would have been an interesting aside in the story 00:09:58.180 --> 00:10:00.430 align:middle line:90% about Jill.' 00:10:00.430 --> 00:10:01.780 align:middle line:90% There was silence out there. 00:10:01.780 --> 00:10:04.900 align:middle line:84% Jill washed herself thoroughly, rinsed, and then 00:10:04.900 --> 00:10:06.340 align:middle line:90% shut off the water. 00:10:06.340 --> 00:10:08.800 align:middle line:84% She heard the floor creak outside and pulled the curtain, 00:10:08.800 --> 00:10:11.140 align:middle line:84% making no attempt to cover herself. 00:10:11.140 --> 00:10:13.360 align:middle line:84% As she'd expected, the RCM made a big show 00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:14.620 align:middle line:90% of averting his eyes. 00:10:14.620 --> 00:10:18.430 align:middle line:84% 'Hiya, Gallooch.' The Italian turned his great dark eyes 00:10:18.430 --> 00:10:22.000 align:middle line:84% on Jill, and she found herself reaching for a towel. 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:23.500 align:middle line:90% Dark eyes in a man-- 00:10:23.500 --> 00:10:26.988 align:middle line:84% if a man had good eyes, she could forgive the rest. 00:10:26.988 --> 00:10:29.280 align:middle line:84% 'Hi yourself,' he said. 'Is someone in there with you I 00:10:29.280 --> 00:10:30.490 align:middle line:90% don't see from here?' 00:10:30.490 --> 00:10:33.730 align:middle line:84% 'He's gone, obviously,' the RCM said. 00:10:33.730 --> 00:10:35.230 align:middle line:84% 'But I saw the two of them in there, 00:10:35.230 --> 00:10:36.040 align:middle line:90% heard them down the hall. 00:10:36.040 --> 00:10:36.700 align:middle line:90% I got a witness. 00:10:36.700 --> 00:10:38.200 align:middle line:84% One of the guys was taking a shower. 00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:40.840 align:middle line:84% He heard them in there going at it.' 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:43.510 align:middle line:84% The Italian stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. 00:10:43.510 --> 00:10:48.220 align:middle line:84% 'You could hear two people making love under a shower all 00:10:48.220 --> 00:10:50.320 align:middle line:90% the way down the hall?' 00:10:50.320 --> 00:10:52.413 align:middle line:84% The RCM stomped up onto the adjoining shower 00:10:52.413 --> 00:10:53.830 align:middle line:84% and put his knee against the wall, 00:10:53.830 --> 00:10:57.095 align:middle line:84% popping the partition in and out for demonstration. 00:10:57.095 --> 00:10:59.470 align:middle line:84% The steward nodded. 'I always thought these shower stalls 00:10:59.470 --> 00:11:01.045 align:middle line:90% were too damn sleazy.' 00:11:01.045 --> 00:11:03.110 align:middle line:84% 'Anyhow, this ain't a court of law. 00:11:03.110 --> 00:11:04.660 align:middle line:84% This is my camp, and I'm the manager. 00:11:04.660 --> 00:11:07.540 align:middle line:84% I saw the two of them in there, never mind her assaulting me. 00:11:07.540 --> 00:11:09.917 align:middle line:84% And I want her and the guy on the next plane out.' 00:11:09.917 --> 00:11:11.500 align:middle line:84% He stopped talking and looked at Jill, 00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:13.118 align:middle line:90% who had slipped into a robe. 00:11:13.118 --> 00:11:15.160 align:middle line:84% 'In fact, it could have been that pilot, Wiggins, 00:11:15.160 --> 00:11:16.120 align:middle line:90% who was in there. 00:11:16.120 --> 00:11:19.870 align:middle line:84% Was it Wiggins?' 'I never ask their names,' Jill said. 00:11:19.870 --> 00:11:21.195 align:middle line:90% 'Beside, I had my eyes closed. 00:11:21.195 --> 00:11:22.570 align:middle line:84% They all look alike in the dark.' 00:11:22.570 --> 00:11:24.640 align:middle line:90% [LAUGHTER] 00:11:24.640 --> 00:11:27.010 align:middle line:84% 'You don't actually know that it was Wiggins.' 00:11:27.010 --> 00:11:30.220 align:middle line:84% The RCM raved his arms. 'Ah, to hell with Wiggins. 00:11:30.220 --> 00:11:31.000 align:middle line:90% Who gives a damn? 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:32.230 align:middle line:84% It's her that's causing the trouble. 00:11:32.230 --> 00:11:34.147 align:middle line:84% I caught her having intercourse in the shower, 00:11:34.147 --> 00:11:36.010 align:middle line:84% and I'm going to see she's terminated. 00:11:36.010 --> 00:11:36.820 align:middle line:90% You're the steward. 00:11:36.820 --> 00:11:38.800 align:middle line:90% I wanted you here as a witness. 00:11:38.800 --> 00:11:40.450 align:middle line:90% The girl admits it.' 00:11:40.450 --> 00:11:43.540 align:middle line:84% 'The woman admits it.' 'Girl, woman, what's the difference? 00:11:43.540 --> 00:11:45.040 align:middle line:90% You did it, didn't you?' 00:11:45.040 --> 00:11:47.590 align:middle line:84% Jill took her cue from the Italian and shook her head 00:11:47.590 --> 00:11:50.200 align:middle line:90% enthusiastically. 'Sure did.' 00:11:50.200 --> 00:11:53.110 align:middle line:84% 'You can pack bags, sister,' the RCM said. 00:11:53.110 --> 00:11:55.383 align:middle line:90% 'You're going down the road.' 00:11:55.383 --> 00:11:57.550 align:middle line:84% 'I'm still waiting to hear what you're going to type 00:11:57.550 --> 00:12:00.340 align:middle line:84% in on the termination where it asks for a reason,' Gallucci 00:12:00.340 --> 00:12:01.180 align:middle line:90% said. 00:12:01.180 --> 00:12:04.540 align:middle line:84% 'That's right,' Jill said stepping down off the shower 00:12:04.540 --> 00:12:07.135 align:middle line:84% platform and backing the RCM up against the sink. 00:12:07.135 --> 00:12:09.850 align:middle line:84% 'You show me in any contract and union agreement where 00:12:09.850 --> 00:12:13.900 align:middle line:84% the teamsters say they won't fuck in the showers.' 00:12:13.900 --> 00:12:15.880 align:middle line:84% Two days later, when the business agent 00:12:15.880 --> 00:12:19.330 align:middle line:84% backed Jill 100%, the RCM told the steward bitterly 00:12:19.330 --> 00:12:22.030 align:middle line:84% that he should have kept the dorms separate. 00:12:22.030 --> 00:12:24.730 align:middle line:84% 'If the boys and the girls want to visit, 00:12:24.730 --> 00:12:26.860 align:middle line:84% they can visit in the mess hall and the rec hall, 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:28.720 align:middle line:90% but not in each other's rooms. 00:12:28.720 --> 00:12:31.156 align:middle line:90% Not in the showers.' 00:12:31.156 --> 00:12:33.850 align:middle line:84% 'I don't think they want to visit,' the steward told him 00:12:33.850 --> 00:12:34.990 align:middle line:90% after much thought. 00:12:34.990 --> 00:12:37.060 align:middle line:90% 'In fact, I'm sure of it. 00:12:37.060 --> 00:12:40.000 align:middle line:84% What they want to do is fuck, and I don't think you want them 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:44.350 align:middle line:84% doing that in the mess hall and the rec hall.' 00:12:44.350 --> 00:12:46.690 align:middle line:90% The RCM was Irish, a Catholic. 00:12:46.690 --> 00:12:49.420 align:middle line:84% At times like this, it showed in his manner and voice. 00:12:49.420 --> 00:12:51.990 align:middle line:84% He folded his hands and looked up. 00:12:51.990 --> 00:12:54.250 align:middle line:84% Sure and it was a sad day for the camps 00:12:54.250 --> 00:12:55.780 align:middle line:90% when the women came into them. 00:12:55.780 --> 00:13:03.410 align:middle line:90% 00:13:03.410 --> 00:13:04.600 align:middle line:90% It happened in prison. 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:08.500 align:middle line:84% It happened in the Army, and it happened in pipeline camps. 00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:10.480 align:middle line:84% Somebody who had gone along quietly 00:13:10.480 --> 00:13:13.420 align:middle line:84% would suddenly and thoroughly go to pieces, 00:13:13.420 --> 00:13:16.360 align:middle line:84% and, as if to make the outer world conform to the inner, 00:13:16.360 --> 00:13:18.610 align:middle line:90% begin breaking up his room. 00:13:18.610 --> 00:13:21.220 align:middle line:84% Sometimes it would happen in the mess hall, the laundry, 00:13:21.220 --> 00:13:23.620 align:middle line:84% or even on the job, but usually it 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:25.360 align:middle line:90% happened in the man's own room. 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:27.273 align:middle line:84% Wiseman's first incident occurred 00:13:27.273 --> 00:13:28.690 align:middle line:84% during the middle of the afternoon 00:13:28.690 --> 00:13:30.880 align:middle line:84% when the camp was almost deserted. 00:13:30.880 --> 00:13:35.080 align:middle line:84% An oiler, Peter Larsen, a stolid melancholy Norwegian, 00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:37.420 align:middle line:84% told his roommate he wasn't going to show. 00:13:37.420 --> 00:13:38.840 align:middle line:90% Didn't feel like going. 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:40.225 align:middle line:90% Felt sick. 00:13:40.225 --> 00:13:42.100 align:middle line:84% The roommate went to work without giving them 00:13:42.100 --> 00:13:44.247 align:middle line:90% a second thought. 00:13:44.247 --> 00:13:46.330 align:middle line:84% When the bull cook opened the door to Peter's room 00:13:46.330 --> 00:13:49.030 align:middle line:84% at 2:00 to make the beds and bring in fresh towels, 00:13:49.030 --> 00:13:51.700 align:middle line:84% he froze in the doorway, unable to make sense out 00:13:51.700 --> 00:13:53.290 align:middle line:90% of what he was seeing. 00:13:53.290 --> 00:13:56.230 align:middle line:84% The wall paneling had holes in it, some the size of a fist, 00:13:56.230 --> 00:13:58.360 align:middle line:90% others two or three feet across. 00:13:58.360 --> 00:13:59.560 align:middle line:90% The window was broken. 00:13:59.560 --> 00:14:01.750 align:middle line:84% The drapes were stuffed in one of the larger holes, 00:14:01.750 --> 00:14:04.180 align:middle line:84% along with the shredded remains of a pillow. 00:14:04.180 --> 00:14:06.040 align:middle line:84% The mattresses were sprawled in one corner, 00:14:06.040 --> 00:14:07.900 align:middle line:84% and the bed frames had been wrenched apart. 00:14:07.900 --> 00:14:10.030 align:middle line:84% One of the side rails dangled from the ceiling, 00:14:10.030 --> 00:14:11.620 align:middle line:90% where it had made a deep gash. 00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:14.573 align:middle line:84% The light fixture was gone, two wires dangling in its place. 00:14:14.573 --> 00:14:16.240 align:middle line:84% The table had been ripped from the wall. 00:14:16.240 --> 00:14:18.190 align:middle line:90% The closets had no doors. 00:14:18.190 --> 00:14:19.918 align:middle line:84% All of the drawers had been removed, 00:14:19.918 --> 00:14:21.460 align:middle line:84% their contents scattered, the drawers 00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:24.400 align:middle line:90% themselves smashed to kindling. 00:14:24.400 --> 00:14:26.500 align:middle line:84% There was a loud shattering crash in the toilet. 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:28.960 align:middle line:84% The bull cook tiptoed to the center of the corridor 00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:30.490 align:middle line:84% and peeked around the corner in time 00:14:30.490 --> 00:14:33.340 align:middle line:84% to see Peter, his face twisted in anger, 00:14:33.340 --> 00:14:36.280 align:middle line:84% smashed the porcelain sink torn from the wall 00:14:36.280 --> 00:14:38.410 align:middle line:90% into a toilet bowl. 00:14:38.410 --> 00:14:39.970 align:middle line:90% Water ran out across the floor. 00:14:39.970 --> 00:14:41.950 align:middle line:84% Peter came out of the dorm a moment later, 00:14:41.950 --> 00:14:43.540 align:middle line:84% howled at the bull cook, and suddenly 00:14:43.540 --> 00:14:46.060 align:middle line:84% veered off down a line of barracks. 00:14:46.060 --> 00:14:48.430 align:middle line:84% The RCM, the bull cook, and two security men 00:14:48.430 --> 00:14:50.770 align:middle line:84% followed a few minutes later, but Peter 00:14:50.770 --> 00:14:53.980 align:middle line:84% had headed across the river toward a large dome of rock. 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:56.320 align:middle line:84% While the security man in charge called for more help, 00:14:56.320 --> 00:14:59.050 align:middle line:84% the other three followed Peter at some distance. 00:14:59.050 --> 00:15:01.360 align:middle line:84% A moment later they saw him emerge on the knob, 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:03.490 align:middle line:84% throw back his head, and scream piercingly 00:15:03.490 --> 00:15:05.620 align:middle line:90% at the distant mountaintops. 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:07.570 align:middle line:84% Then he dropped to his hands and his knees, 00:15:07.570 --> 00:15:09.700 align:middle line:90% still shouting and howling. 00:15:09.700 --> 00:15:12.670 align:middle line:84% 'Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,' the RCM breathed, 00:15:12.670 --> 00:15:14.290 align:middle line:90% 'do you suppose he's in pain? 00:15:14.290 --> 00:15:16.630 align:middle line:90% Or is he just off his noggin?' 00:15:16.630 --> 00:15:18.190 align:middle line:84% Peter stop scrambling, looked around, 00:15:18.190 --> 00:15:21.010 align:middle line:84% and slunk off to one side of the knob out of sight. 00:15:21.010 --> 00:15:23.740 align:middle line:84% Then he appeared halfway down running, waving his arms, 00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:26.200 align:middle line:84% tearing at branches and low bushes growing 00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:29.080 align:middle line:84% among the cracks and shelves of the dome. 00:15:29.080 --> 00:15:33.520 align:middle line:84% Peter was a big man, 6' 3", a solid 190 pounds. 00:15:33.520 --> 00:15:35.950 align:middle line:84% The guards, numbering eight, were equally divided 00:15:35.950 --> 00:15:38.650 align:middle line:84% among ex-cops and those who considered their jobs 00:15:38.650 --> 00:15:40.210 align:middle line:90% that of watchmen. 00:15:40.210 --> 00:15:42.250 align:middle line:90% The watchmen went out. 00:15:42.250 --> 00:15:43.750 align:middle line:84% The men would form a large circle 00:15:43.750 --> 00:15:46.600 align:middle line:84% and observe Peter, attempting to keep him in range so he 00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:48.070 align:middle line:90% wouldn't be lost. 00:15:48.070 --> 00:15:50.050 align:middle line:84% Later, when the workers came back into camp, 00:15:50.050 --> 00:15:52.960 align:middle line:84% they might find someone he'd listen to, maybe talk him down 00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:54.700 align:middle line:90% off the knob. 00:15:54.700 --> 00:15:57.010 align:middle line:84% In the meantime, he might tire himself out. 00:15:57.010 --> 00:15:59.440 align:middle line:84% The medic came, conferred with the camp manager, 00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:01.690 align:middle line:84% said he wanted no part of sticking a needle in the man 00:16:01.690 --> 00:16:03.010 align:middle line:90% to quiet him down. 00:16:03.010 --> 00:16:05.260 align:middle line:84% He wasn't hurting himself or anyone else 00:16:05.260 --> 00:16:07.330 align:middle line:90% out there on the rocks. 00:16:07.330 --> 00:16:10.450 align:middle line:84% The RCM approached the knob and called Peter's name. 00:16:10.450 --> 00:16:12.520 align:middle line:84% Peter began biting the bushes and screaming 00:16:12.520 --> 00:16:13.725 align:middle line:90% through his teeth. 00:16:13.725 --> 00:16:17.110 align:middle line:84% 'Poor fellow's gone daft,' the RCM said and went in the shade 00:16:17.110 --> 00:16:19.078 align:middle line:90% to sit down. 00:16:19.078 --> 00:16:20.620 align:middle line:84% When the men came back, it turned out 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:23.170 align:middle line:84% that Peter had no friends, not even the crane operator who 00:16:23.170 --> 00:16:24.820 align:middle line:90% usually worked with him. 00:16:24.820 --> 00:16:26.530 align:middle line:84% Some of the biggest men volunteered, 00:16:26.530 --> 00:16:28.720 align:middle line:84% and under those circumstances, even the medic 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:30.580 align:middle line:90% was willing to give it a try. 00:16:30.580 --> 00:16:33.220 align:middle line:84% A party of 20 approached the knob. 00:16:33.220 --> 00:16:36.010 align:middle line:90% Peter watched them warily. 00:16:36.010 --> 00:16:37.960 align:middle line:84% Another 100 or more workers stood along 00:16:37.960 --> 00:16:41.380 align:middle line:84% the banks of the river watching, among them Jill Jones and Bill 00:16:41.380 --> 00:16:42.280 align:middle line:90% Wiggins. 00:16:42.280 --> 00:16:45.880 align:middle line:84% If they got Peter down, there would certainly be a medevac. 00:16:45.880 --> 00:16:49.120 align:middle line:84% Wiggins was already turning requests down, 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:50.740 align:middle line:84% even though several people literally 00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:53.470 align:middle line:84% begged him for a chance to get into Fairbanks. 00:16:53.470 --> 00:16:57.373 align:middle line:84% He would take Jill and five strong men, maybe the medic. 00:16:57.373 --> 00:16:59.290 align:middle line:84% Half of the men in the group approaching Peter 00:16:59.290 --> 00:17:04.069 align:middle line:84% were doing so out of a hope for a ride with him into town. 00:17:04.069 --> 00:17:06.729 align:middle line:84% 'Peter, come on down,' one of them called. 00:17:06.729 --> 00:17:08.470 align:middle line:84% 'Hey, old buddy,' another shouted. 00:17:08.470 --> 00:17:11.920 align:middle line:84% 'How's about a nice plane ride to see the pretty country?' 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:14.170 align:middle line:84% The medic told them to all shut up. 00:17:14.170 --> 00:17:16.750 align:middle line:84% Peter was bouncing up and down as the men fanned out 00:17:16.750 --> 00:17:18.160 align:middle line:90% and surrounded the knob. 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:19.420 align:middle line:90% He looked in all directions. 00:17:19.420 --> 00:17:21.160 align:middle line:84% As the medic was preparing his hypo, 00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:23.319 align:middle line:84% Peter screamed and threw himself off the knob, 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:25.359 align:middle line:84% tripping on an upended slab of rock, 00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:28.569 align:middle line:84% sprawling in the gravel at the feet of the men. 00:17:28.569 --> 00:17:30.790 align:middle line:84% Four piled on immediately, and Peter lay so 00:17:30.790 --> 00:17:33.790 align:middle line:84% still that, one by one, they let go, 00:17:33.790 --> 00:17:36.610 align:middle line:84% fearing he was unconscious or worse. 00:17:36.610 --> 00:17:38.260 align:middle line:84% Peter lay contentedly at their feet, 00:17:38.260 --> 00:17:40.120 align:middle line:84% staring at the fingers of one hand. 00:17:40.120 --> 00:17:43.285 align:middle line:84% The medic knelt beside him and put the needle back in his bag. 00:17:43.285 --> 00:17:47.050 align:middle line:84% 'Peter,' he said, 'I'd like you to get up and come back 00:17:47.050 --> 00:17:49.570 align:middle line:90% to the camp, OK?" 00:17:49.570 --> 00:17:51.572 align:middle line:84% Peter raised his eyes to the medic. 00:17:51.572 --> 00:17:53.530 align:middle line:84% The medic extended his hand, and Peter took it, 00:17:53.530 --> 00:17:55.570 align:middle line:84% allowing himself to be helped up and led back 00:17:55.570 --> 00:17:57.310 align:middle line:90% across the shallow river. 00:17:57.310 --> 00:17:59.560 align:middle line:84% An hour later, the medic called to the flight shack 00:17:59.560 --> 00:18:01.820 align:middle line:84% and said Peter was ready to travel. 00:18:01.820 --> 00:18:04.770 align:middle line:84% He'd taken a mild sedative and should give no trouble. 00:18:04.770 --> 00:18:07.270 align:middle line:84% Of course, he would be strapped in at the rear of the plane. 00:18:07.270 --> 00:18:11.230 align:middle line:84% An ambulance would meet him at the airport by the cab stand. 00:18:11.230 --> 00:18:13.660 align:middle line:84% Wiggins shut his eyes, turning away from the crowd. 00:18:13.660 --> 00:18:15.890 align:middle line:84% 'Please,' a man pleaded, pulling at Wiggins' sleeve. 00:18:15.890 --> 00:18:17.350 align:middle line:84% 'My girlfriend's in town for the week. 00:18:17.350 --> 00:18:18.730 align:middle line:84% I could see her for an hour or two. 00:18:18.730 --> 00:18:19.960 align:middle line:84% I haven't seen her for three months. 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:20.710 align:middle line:90% I'll pay, Bill. 00:18:20.710 --> 00:18:23.290 align:middle line:90% Anything, you name it.' 00:18:23.290 --> 00:18:25.600 align:middle line:84% Jill stood to one side, tearing up a sheet of paper 00:18:25.600 --> 00:18:27.080 align:middle line:90% into small pieces. 00:18:27.080 --> 00:18:29.580 align:middle line:84% She put them in a hard hat and whistled through two fingers. 00:18:29.580 --> 00:18:31.340 align:middle line:90% 'We'll do it by lottery. 00:18:31.340 --> 00:18:34.960 align:middle line:84% There's five pieces with an X. They go to Fairbanks.' 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:36.970 align:middle line:84% The men surrounded her, grabbing for numbers. 00:18:36.970 --> 00:18:38.928 align:middle line:84% There were two extra, and Jill and folded them. 00:18:38.928 --> 00:18:43.750 align:middle line:84% 'Zeros,' she told the men. 'OK, see what you got.'" Excuse me. 00:18:43.750 --> 00:18:48.300 align:middle line:90% 00:18:48.300 --> 00:18:51.390 align:middle line:84% "The fellow who wanted to see his girlfriend whooped loudly. 00:18:51.390 --> 00:18:53.190 align:middle line:90% There were curses, a few cheers. 00:18:53.190 --> 00:18:55.800 align:middle line:84% Five smiling men followed Jill to the medic's shack, 00:18:55.800 --> 00:18:57.030 align:middle line:90% where Peter waited. 00:18:57.030 --> 00:18:58.620 align:middle line:84% They escorted him back to the plane, 00:18:58.620 --> 00:19:01.830 align:middle line:84% and the conversation was about what bars they might go to, 00:19:01.830 --> 00:19:04.200 align:middle line:84% whether or not there would be time to get laid, 00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:06.060 align:middle line:90% who they'd call. 00:19:06.060 --> 00:19:07.740 align:middle line:90% Peter and Jill walked together. 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:09.090 align:middle line:90% He was docile. 00:19:09.090 --> 00:19:11.070 align:middle line:84% She stood aside to let the others on the plane, 00:19:11.070 --> 00:19:13.770 align:middle line:84% and Peter obediently waited at her side. 00:19:13.770 --> 00:19:16.020 align:middle line:84% She told him to get in, and he sat down, 00:19:16.020 --> 00:19:18.750 align:middle line:84% letting her strap him to the reclining stretcher seat. 00:19:18.750 --> 00:19:21.233 align:middle line:84% The mood in the cabin was festive. 00:19:21.233 --> 00:19:23.025 align:middle line:84% As they took off, the men in front cheered. 00:19:23.025 --> 00:19:26.130 align:middle line:84% 'Tommy's elbow room express,' one called out. 00:19:26.130 --> 00:19:28.410 align:middle line:84% Three men began to sing. 'Hooray, hooray, 00:19:28.410 --> 00:19:31.590 align:middle line:84% I'm going away with the men in the little white coats.' 00:19:31.590 --> 00:19:34.170 align:middle line:84% Peter Larson stared quietly up at the ceiling, 00:19:34.170 --> 00:19:37.050 align:middle line:90% lost in thought. 00:19:37.050 --> 00:19:38.940 align:middle line:84% The plane pulled up along the side entry 00:19:38.940 --> 00:19:40.590 align:middle line:90% at the Fairbanks airport. 00:19:40.590 --> 00:19:44.700 align:middle line:84% When Jill opened the door, the man who wanted to call his girl 00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:47.040 align:middle line:84% ran right on into the terminal without waiting 00:19:47.040 --> 00:19:49.890 align:middle line:90% to unstrap Peter. 00:19:49.890 --> 00:19:52.350 align:middle line:84% Wiggins had promised to stay on the ground for three hours, 00:19:52.350 --> 00:19:55.590 align:middle line:84% but threatened that he'd leave anyone who wasn't back in time. 00:19:55.590 --> 00:19:58.080 align:middle line:84% He taxied the plane alongside a small hangar 00:19:58.080 --> 00:20:01.200 align:middle line:84% and asked Jill to meet him by the cab stand. 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:03.360 align:middle line:84% 'I'll call a cab for us to make sure,' she shouted, 00:20:03.360 --> 00:20:05.352 align:middle line:90% but Wiggins couldn't hear her. 00:20:05.352 --> 00:20:07.560 align:middle line:84% 'I got a friend home on R&R,' one of the escorts said 00:20:07.560 --> 00:20:09.390 align:middle line:84% in a loud voice. 'I bet he'd come out and get us. 00:20:09.390 --> 00:20:10.830 align:middle line:90% Maybe line us up with a chick.' 00:20:10.830 --> 00:20:13.212 align:middle line:84% 'Shit,' another said. 'I only brought 30 bucks.' 00:20:13.212 --> 00:20:15.420 align:middle line:84% He stomped his feet in anger. 'I could have got laid, 00:20:15.420 --> 00:20:17.217 align:middle line:90% and I forgot to bring money.' 00:20:17.217 --> 00:20:19.050 align:middle line:84% The man next to him flashed a roll of bills, 00:20:19.050 --> 00:20:21.330 align:middle line:84% peeling off two hundreds. 'Take this. 00:20:21.330 --> 00:20:23.553 align:middle line:90% Give it to me payday.' 00:20:23.553 --> 00:20:25.095 align:middle line:84% 'Let's get Peter inside,' Jill urged. 00:20:25.095 --> 00:20:28.680 align:middle line:84% 'Sooner we get them in the ambulance, sooner we can go.' 00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:30.240 align:middle line:90% The terminal lounge was crowded. 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:33.300 align:middle line:84% The evening ween flight from the camps was due in soon, 00:20:33.300 --> 00:20:36.990 align:middle line:84% bringing back the men coming home on R&R. Girlfriends, 00:20:36.990 --> 00:20:39.900 align:middle line:84% wives, parents, clustered eagerly around the reception 00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:42.210 align:middle line:84% gate for the pipeline flight, craning 00:20:42.210 --> 00:20:44.940 align:middle line:84% their necks at any activity out on the ramp. 00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:47.400 align:middle line:84% The Army had brought in a large contingent of GIs 00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:49.980 align:middle line:84% from Richardson and Anchorage, and they filled up 00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:53.760 align:middle line:84% the center hall waiting for transportation to Wainwright. 00:20:53.760 --> 00:20:55.800 align:middle line:84% Jill, Peter, and the four remaining escorts 00:20:55.800 --> 00:20:58.260 align:middle line:84% moved to the cab ramp, and Jill went outside, looking all 00:20:58.260 --> 00:21:00.000 align:middle line:90% around the parking area. 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:01.788 align:middle line:90% There was no ambulance. 00:21:01.788 --> 00:21:03.330 align:middle line:84% She came back, and one of the escorts 00:21:03.330 --> 00:21:06.517 align:middle line:84% was gone, making a phone call to his buddy. 00:21:06.517 --> 00:21:08.850 align:middle line:84% She looked at Peter, who stood patiently next to the car 00:21:08.850 --> 00:21:10.475 align:middle line:84% rental desk, and said she'd better call 00:21:10.475 --> 00:21:12.793 align:middle line:90% the hospital, as well as a cab. 00:21:12.793 --> 00:21:13.710 align:middle line:90% She went to the phone. 00:21:13.710 --> 00:21:15.570 align:middle line:84% After several tries, she got a dial tone, 00:21:15.570 --> 00:21:17.580 align:middle line:90% but the hospital line was busy. 00:21:17.580 --> 00:21:19.902 align:middle line:84% The phone wouldn't work at all after that. 00:21:19.902 --> 00:21:22.110 align:middle line:84% She went back to where Peter and the escorts had been 00:21:22.110 --> 00:21:23.250 align:middle line:90% and couldn't find them. 00:21:23.250 --> 00:21:25.440 align:middle line:84% Apparently, the ambulance had come after all. 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:27.435 align:middle line:84% Wiggins surprised her, catching at her elbow. 00:21:27.435 --> 00:21:29.310 align:middle line:84% 'Well, sweetheart,' he said, smiling happily, 00:21:29.310 --> 00:21:31.490 align:middle line:90% 'let's go check out the action.' 00:21:31.490 --> 00:21:33.720 align:middle line:84% 'I'm not sure if the ambulance came,' she said, 00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:35.850 align:middle line:90% still looking for the escorts. 00:21:35.850 --> 00:21:36.900 align:middle line:90% They went outside. 00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:38.490 align:middle line:90% There was no ambulance. 00:21:38.490 --> 00:21:40.290 align:middle line:90% The escorts weren't around. 00:21:40.290 --> 00:21:43.227 align:middle line:84% 'Maybe they put him aboard and left.' 00:21:43.227 --> 00:21:45.810 align:middle line:84% Just then, two of the men came outside and waved from the next 00:21:45.810 --> 00:21:47.185 align:middle line:84% entrance. 'He get off all right?' 00:21:47.185 --> 00:21:48.450 align:middle line:90% One shouted. 00:21:48.450 --> 00:21:50.370 align:middle line:84% And Jill shook her head, hurrying after him. 00:21:50.370 --> 00:21:53.310 align:middle line:84% 'I left him with you,' she said. 'Didn't you put him 00:21:53.310 --> 00:21:55.050 align:middle line:90% in the ambulance?' 00:21:55.050 --> 00:21:56.760 align:middle line:90% The two men exchanged glances. 00:21:56.760 --> 00:21:59.235 align:middle line:84% 'I thought you said we should call for a cab.' 00:21:59.235 --> 00:22:03.300 align:middle line:90% 'No, I went to call for a cab.' 00:22:03.300 --> 00:22:05.220 align:middle line:84% It took 15 minutes, but they eventually 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:06.780 align:middle line:90% located all five escorts. 00:22:06.780 --> 00:22:09.330 align:middle line:84% None of them knew what had happened to Peter. 00:22:09.330 --> 00:22:12.240 align:middle line:84% 'He's lost.' Jill stared across the mob in the waiting room. 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:13.440 align:middle line:90% 'We lost him. 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:14.700 align:middle line:90% I don't believe it.' 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:16.440 align:middle line:84% 'My girl is coming down to pick me up. 00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:17.940 align:middle line:90% Can I just go?' 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:20.860 align:middle line:84% Wiggins doubled his fists. 'You bastards lost him. 00:22:20.860 --> 00:22:21.930 align:middle line:90% You can find him. 00:22:21.930 --> 00:22:25.170 align:middle line:84% You leave now, you're not riding back on my plane.' 00:22:25.170 --> 00:22:26.657 align:middle line:84% They spread out and made two passes 00:22:26.657 --> 00:22:28.740 align:middle line:84% through the lounge, Bill explaining to the airport 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:30.750 align:middle line:84% cop who followed them on the second pass what 00:22:30.750 --> 00:22:31.980 align:middle line:90% they were looking for. 00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:34.510 align:middle line:84% The ambulance came, sitting outside the cab stand, lights 00:22:34.510 --> 00:22:35.010 align:middle line:90% flashing. 00:22:35.010 --> 00:22:38.760 align:middle line:90% 00:22:38.760 --> 00:22:40.410 align:middle line:84% The men went outside and began looking 00:22:40.410 --> 00:22:41.952 align:middle line:84% while Bill explained they were having 00:22:41.952 --> 00:22:44.190 align:middle line:90% some difficulty with a patient. 00:22:44.190 --> 00:22:47.130 align:middle line:84% On a hunch, Jill went to the row of Army buses 00:22:47.130 --> 00:22:49.560 align:middle line:84% and, braving the comments, boarded each bus 00:22:49.560 --> 00:22:51.480 align:middle line:90% to look over the men. 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:53.670 align:middle line:84% On the third bus, still half empty, 00:22:53.670 --> 00:22:55.800 align:middle line:84% she found Peter sitting behind the driver, who 00:22:55.800 --> 00:22:57.960 align:middle line:90% had turned in his seat to talk. 00:22:57.960 --> 00:23:01.530 align:middle line:84% Peter looked at the man with an intent yet blank expression, 00:23:01.530 --> 00:23:03.900 align:middle line:84% as the driver told him loudly what he would do 00:23:03.900 --> 00:23:06.565 align:middle line:90% if he were mayor of Fairbanks. 00:23:06.565 --> 00:23:08.190 align:middle line:84% Jill tapped the driver on the shoulder. 00:23:08.190 --> 00:23:09.648 align:middle line:84% Leaning forward, she explained what 00:23:09.648 --> 00:23:13.350 align:middle line:84% was wrong, who Peter was, where they were taking him. 00:23:13.350 --> 00:23:16.170 align:middle line:84% 'I'll be damned,' the driver said as she led Peter off 00:23:16.170 --> 00:23:18.180 align:middle line:84% the bus. 'I didn't ever figure him for a nut. 00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:27.900 align:middle line:90% I thought he was one of us.'" 00:23:27.900 --> 00:23:30.180 align:middle line:84% In a later scene, they're building the haul road, 00:23:30.180 --> 00:23:32.160 align:middle line:84% and there's a ceremony, and Jill Jones 00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:36.090 align:middle line:84% has been picked to dump the last pile of dirt 00:23:36.090 --> 00:23:40.740 align:middle line:84% on about a 360 mile haul road that the company had to build-- 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:43.140 align:middle line:84% just a big long and terribly expensive 00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:46.290 align:middle line:84% gravel road that reaches from Livengood all the way 00:23:46.290 --> 00:23:48.420 align:middle line:90% to Prudhoe Bay. 00:23:48.420 --> 00:23:50.220 align:middle line:90% And there's a big ceremony. 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:53.650 align:middle line:90% 00:23:53.650 --> 00:23:58.450 align:middle line:84% Everybody is lining up for the picture, 00:23:58.450 --> 00:23:59.980 align:middle line:90% and Jill sitting in her truck. 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:02.710 align:middle line:84% "'Jill,' steward, the Italian, climbed up in the truck and sat 00:24:02.710 --> 00:24:04.810 align:middle line:84% down on the opposite side of the cab. 00:24:04.810 --> 00:24:06.370 align:middle line:84% As high above ground as they were, 00:24:06.370 --> 00:24:08.900 align:middle line:84% no one would see him in the picture. 00:24:08.900 --> 00:24:14.020 align:middle line:84% 'Hi, Gallucci,' Jill said in a low voice. 'Hey, why the frown? 00:24:14.020 --> 00:24:16.390 align:middle line:84% Don't you know you're about to become a part of history? 00:24:16.390 --> 00:24:19.060 align:middle line:84% The woman selected to finish one of the most expensive dirt 00:24:19.060 --> 00:24:20.980 align:middle line:90% roads ever built?' 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:23.380 align:middle line:84% She shrugged and looked out at the cameras, reporters, 00:24:23.380 --> 00:24:24.040 align:middle line:90% workers. 00:24:24.040 --> 00:24:25.783 align:middle line:90% 'I'm getting laid off tomorrow. 00:24:25.783 --> 00:24:26.950 align:middle line:90% They said the road was done. 00:24:26.950 --> 00:24:28.600 align:middle line:90% They don't need so many drivers. 00:24:28.600 --> 00:24:30.620 align:middle line:90% I got selected for that, too.' 00:24:30.620 --> 00:24:32.620 align:middle line:84% 'Yeah, I heard, but it's not just you, you know. 00:24:32.620 --> 00:24:33.745 align:middle line:90% We're losing eight drivers. 00:24:33.745 --> 00:24:36.255 align:middle line:84% Laborers are dropping 10 men, operators another six. 00:24:36.255 --> 00:24:38.380 align:middle line:84% You go back to town, you'll be out again in a week. 00:24:38.380 --> 00:24:39.730 align:middle line:90% I guarantee it.' 00:24:39.730 --> 00:24:41.200 align:middle line:84% He pulled a card out of his pocket, 00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:42.867 align:middle line:84% scribbled a name and phone number on it, 00:24:42.867 --> 00:24:46.540 align:middle line:84% and pressed it into her hand. 'Hey, I guarantee it.' 00:24:46.540 --> 00:24:49.288 align:middle line:84% She took the card into her jeans. 'Thanks, I will.' 00:24:49.288 --> 00:24:50.330 align:middle line:90% 'Tell them hello from me. 00:24:50.330 --> 00:24:51.910 align:middle line:90% That make it any better?' 00:24:51.910 --> 00:24:53.670 align:middle line:90% Jill shook her head. 00:24:53.670 --> 00:24:55.720 align:middle line:84% 'Bill Wiggins took off at 2:00 this morning 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:58.430 align:middle line:84% to medevac the super who had the heart attack. 00:24:58.430 --> 00:25:00.390 align:middle line:90% He hasn't got back yet.' 00:25:00.390 --> 00:25:01.810 align:middle line:90% 'Maybe the guy wasn't that sick. 00:25:01.810 --> 00:25:04.360 align:middle line:84% Bill's waiting to fly him back up from Fairbanks.' 00:25:04.360 --> 00:25:06.190 align:middle line:90% 'I had flight call for me. 00:25:06.190 --> 00:25:07.600 align:middle line:90% The super is in intensive care. 00:25:07.600 --> 00:25:08.758 align:middle line:90% Bill took off about 5:00. 00:25:08.758 --> 00:25:09.550 align:middle line:90% He never showed up. 00:25:09.550 --> 00:25:11.350 align:middle line:84% At least he hadn't by lunchtime.' 00:25:11.350 --> 00:25:13.720 align:middle line:84% Jill was being called by BF Young"-- 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:15.160 align:middle line:90% he's president of the company-- 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:18.340 align:middle line:84% "She stuck her head out the window. 00:25:18.340 --> 00:25:21.020 align:middle line:84% When I give you the word, you drop the load. 00:25:21.020 --> 00:25:23.257 align:middle line:84% What's going to happen is we give our talks, me last. 00:25:23.257 --> 00:25:25.090 align:middle line:84% Then everyone gets a picture for the record. 00:25:25.090 --> 00:25:27.258 align:middle line:90% Then dump when I say, got it? 00:25:27.258 --> 00:25:29.050 align:middle line:84% Jill put her arm on the door and leaned out 00:25:29.050 --> 00:25:31.180 align:middle line:90% as McLove had told her to do. 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:33.415 align:middle line:84% 'Maybe,' the Steward said, 'maybe Bill picked up 00:25:33.415 --> 00:25:35.665 align:middle line:84% an emergency call on the way, either from another camp 00:25:35.665 --> 00:25:36.880 align:middle line:90% or on the emergency channel. 00:25:36.880 --> 00:25:37.607 align:middle line:90% You never know. 00:25:37.607 --> 00:25:39.190 align:middle line:84% Could be a hunter in trouble, somebody 00:25:39.190 --> 00:25:40.595 align:middle line:90% else down on the plain. 00:25:40.595 --> 00:25:42.220 align:middle line:84% It would have practically been daylight 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:43.345 align:middle line:90% by the time he got up here. 00:25:43.345 --> 00:25:45.430 align:middle line:84% I could see why he'd have trouble.' 00:25:45.430 --> 00:25:49.285 align:middle line:84% Outside, Roy Rogers"-- and this is a character-- 00:25:49.285 --> 00:25:52.570 align:middle line:84% "extolled the cooperation of state and federal agencies that 00:25:52.570 --> 00:25:55.870 align:middle line:84% made the permit possible, the wonderful cooperation among 00:25:55.870 --> 00:25:59.200 align:middle line:84% various crafts, the spirit of the men and women that had 00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:02.980 align:middle line:84% built a 360 mile highway over treacherous terrain in only 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:04.930 align:middle line:90% five months. 00:26:04.930 --> 00:26:06.790 align:middle line:90% The vice presidents were brief. 00:26:06.790 --> 00:26:08.770 align:middle line:84% BR Young considered the road a tribute 00:26:08.770 --> 00:26:10.840 align:middle line:84% to the tough frontier Americans who 00:26:10.840 --> 00:26:14.410 align:middle line:84% had taken a first great step in taming without destroying 00:26:14.410 --> 00:26:17.260 align:middle line:90% the great Alaskan wilderness. 00:26:17.260 --> 00:26:20.320 align:middle line:84% McLove framed the scene in the viewfinder of his Hasselblad, 00:26:20.320 --> 00:26:23.530 align:middle line:84% lab coat, truck D9 dozer, business suits and hard hats, 00:26:23.530 --> 00:26:26.170 align:middle line:84% frozen smiles, necktie tossed askew 00:26:26.170 --> 00:26:29.230 align:middle line:84% by the breeze, Cat Skinner wearing a plastic orchid 00:26:29.230 --> 00:26:32.630 align:middle line:84% in the lapel of his striped denim jacket. 00:26:32.630 --> 00:26:36.160 align:middle line:84% High above the others, Jill looked off into the sky. 00:26:36.160 --> 00:26:39.130 align:middle line:84% A Canada jay or camp robber lit on the side mirror 00:26:39.130 --> 00:26:43.630 align:middle line:84% just over Jill's head and, like her, cocked its eye at the sky. 00:26:43.630 --> 00:26:45.160 align:middle line:90% McLove pressed the release. 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:49.510 align:middle line:84% The scene disappeared into the camera, history. 00:26:49.510 --> 00:26:51.520 align:middle line:84% He rolled off two more and stepped back. 00:26:51.520 --> 00:26:52.780 align:middle line:90% The fill lights went on. 00:26:52.780 --> 00:26:54.550 align:middle line:90% Movie cameras began to whir. 00:26:54.550 --> 00:26:57.655 align:middle line:84% Jill looked down just as BR Young spoke. 00:26:57.655 --> 00:26:59.800 align:middle line:90% 'Drop it, baby,' he said. 00:26:59.800 --> 00:27:02.640 align:middle line:90% 00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:04.710 align:middle line:84% It was bad sitting on the runway waiting 00:27:04.710 --> 00:27:06.660 align:middle line:90% for ween to take everyone out. 00:27:06.660 --> 00:27:08.070 align:middle line:84% Most of the passengers were going 00:27:08.070 --> 00:27:11.430 align:middle line:84% on R&R. The terminations had been staggered over three days, 00:27:11.430 --> 00:27:13.710 align:middle line:90% and Jill was in the last bunch. 00:27:13.710 --> 00:27:17.220 align:middle line:84% Even the men laid off were happy to see the plane circle in. 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:19.110 align:middle line:84% Jill had prayed it would be the Navajo, 00:27:19.110 --> 00:27:21.882 align:middle line:84% but she knew in her heart that Wiggins was gone. 00:27:21.882 --> 00:27:23.340 align:middle line:84% Of course, there had been a search, 00:27:23.340 --> 00:27:26.130 align:middle line:84% and it would continue another few days. 00:27:26.130 --> 00:27:28.050 align:middle line:84% At the same time, the RCM had suggested 00:27:28.050 --> 00:27:30.030 align:middle line:84% they put out a possible stolen aircraft 00:27:30.030 --> 00:27:33.270 align:middle line:84% alert to Canadian and Northwestern airports. 00:27:33.270 --> 00:27:35.208 align:middle line:84% Jill overheard him in the mess hall. 00:27:35.208 --> 00:27:37.500 align:middle line:84% 'No, I'm not saying the poor fellow didn't, God forbid, 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:39.420 align:middle line:84% go down in the mountains somewhere. 00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:41.520 align:middle line:84% I'm only saying it was clear weather. 00:27:41.520 --> 00:27:43.050 align:middle line:84% Just a wee bit of a breeze blowing 00:27:43.050 --> 00:27:45.870 align:middle line:84% and not a peep out of his radio after he left Fairbanks. 00:27:45.870 --> 00:27:47.220 align:middle line:90% Crazier things have happened. 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:48.810 align:middle line:84% Hell's bells, if a man wanted to, he 00:27:48.810 --> 00:27:51.060 align:middle line:84% could be in Mexico by now, someplace no one 00:27:51.060 --> 00:27:52.140 align:middle line:90% would ask any questions. 00:27:52.140 --> 00:27:54.030 align:middle line:90% Know what I mean?' 00:27:54.030 --> 00:27:56.850 align:middle line:84% Turning around, Jill had thrown a full cup of coffee at him. 00:27:56.850 --> 00:27:58.770 align:middle line:84% A dozen men swore it was an accident. 00:27:58.770 --> 00:28:00.570 align:middle line:84% One even pointed out a smear of jelly 00:28:00.570 --> 00:28:03.360 align:middle line:84% on the floor where she'd slipped. 00:28:03.360 --> 00:28:06.060 align:middle line:84% The plane pulled up in front of the crowd, and, one by one, 00:28:06.060 --> 00:28:07.890 align:middle line:84% they filed aboard, cracking jokes 00:28:07.890 --> 00:28:11.370 align:middle line:84% about town and old ladies, and going for a little I and I-- 00:28:11.370 --> 00:28:15.150 align:middle line:90% intercourse, and intoxication. 00:28:15.150 --> 00:28:17.670 align:middle line:84% After too long a time, the plane picked up 00:28:17.670 --> 00:28:20.160 align:middle line:84% and climbed out of the ring of hills and mountains 00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:21.600 align:middle line:90% surrounding Wiseman. 00:28:21.600 --> 00:28:23.460 align:middle line:90% The river gleamed below. 00:28:23.460 --> 00:28:26.040 align:middle line:84% Snow was creeping down the mountainsides. 00:28:26.040 --> 00:28:29.820 align:middle line:84% The next storm would leave traces in the lowlands. 00:28:29.820 --> 00:28:31.890 align:middle line:84% Jill pressed her face to the window 00:28:31.890 --> 00:28:34.350 align:middle line:84% and peered intently at the scene below, 00:28:34.350 --> 00:28:37.680 align:middle line:84% into ravines, up cliffs, over ragged mountaintops, 00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:39.210 align:middle line:90% and down again. 00:28:39.210 --> 00:28:42.960 align:middle line:84% She penetrated crevices and dark shadowed valleys, 00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:47.100 align:middle line:84% searching the corners, the hidden places, Alaska 00:28:47.100 --> 00:28:47.835 align:middle line:90% and its secrets." 00:28:47.835 --> 00:29:06.130 align:middle line:90% 00:29:06.130 --> 00:29:07.130 align:middle line:90% I was going to read it-- 00:29:07.130 --> 00:29:08.440 align:middle line:84% I want to shorten this other scene. 00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:10.315 align:middle line:84% I'm going to read something a little lighter. 00:29:10.315 --> 00:29:13.950 align:middle line:90% 00:29:13.950 --> 00:29:14.950 align:middle line:90% There's a bus trip here. 00:29:14.950 --> 00:29:20.380 align:middle line:84% It's hauling people from Anchorage out to their camps. 00:29:20.380 --> 00:29:22.780 align:middle line:84% The route goes a little into the interior of the country, 00:29:22.780 --> 00:29:25.000 align:middle line:84% and then cuts on down through some towns-- 00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:29.200 align:middle line:84% Glennallen, Tonsina, down to Valdez, and the way 00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:33.370 align:middle line:84% it goes through Thompson Pass, 2,800 feet high-- 00:29:33.370 --> 00:29:36.367 align:middle line:84% or no, higher than that, a little higher than that. 00:29:36.367 --> 00:29:38.950 align:middle line:84% It goes through this pass where there's 70 and 80 mile an hour 00:29:38.950 --> 00:29:40.210 align:middle line:90% winds. 00:29:40.210 --> 00:29:44.540 align:middle line:84% It's a bad bus trip, and people are 00:29:44.540 --> 00:29:47.300 align:middle line:90% sitting around waiting to go. 00:29:47.300 --> 00:29:48.110 align:middle line:90% Larry's listening. 00:29:48.110 --> 00:29:49.160 align:middle line:90% He hasn't met Jill yet. 00:29:49.160 --> 00:29:51.830 align:middle line:84% This character Larry is the narrator of this story, 00:29:51.830 --> 00:29:56.810 align:middle line:84% and Jill shows up again in the story 00:29:56.810 --> 00:29:58.190 align:middle line:90% having left the camp up north. 00:29:58.190 --> 00:30:09.180 align:middle line:90% 00:30:09.180 --> 00:30:13.140 align:middle line:84% They're sitting in this really pretty crude station. 00:30:13.140 --> 00:30:16.650 align:middle line:84% "Larry shut his eyes and rested his head against the wall. 00:30:16.650 --> 00:30:18.660 align:middle line:84% Being away from camp these past few weeks, 00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:20.670 align:middle line:84% he'd forgotten already the constant discussion 00:30:20.670 --> 00:30:23.730 align:middle line:90% of plans, dreams, expectations. 00:30:23.730 --> 00:30:26.640 align:middle line:84% Usually, he found such talk invigorating. 00:30:26.640 --> 00:30:29.010 align:middle line:84% There was a spirit among the workers of almost matter 00:30:29.010 --> 00:30:30.720 align:middle line:90% of fact optimism. 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:33.300 align:middle line:84% The state was obviously moving into a boom that would long 00:30:33.300 --> 00:30:36.270 align:middle line:84% outlast the pipeline construction, a future 00:30:36.270 --> 00:30:39.000 align:middle line:90% of fat and unending paychecks. 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:40.260 align:middle line:90% A lot of money was wasted. 00:30:40.260 --> 00:30:42.330 align:middle line:84% A lot of men came back from R&R as broke 00:30:42.330 --> 00:30:43.920 align:middle line:90% as the day they hired on. 00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:46.560 align:middle line:84% But just as many were buying land, building, 00:30:46.560 --> 00:30:48.180 align:middle line:90% socking it away. 00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:51.630 align:middle line:84% Out east, everyone Hope knew was talking about limits to growth, 00:30:51.630 --> 00:30:54.540 align:middle line:90% limits to family, limits. 00:30:54.540 --> 00:30:56.280 align:middle line:84% At her job, the talk was all of people 00:30:56.280 --> 00:30:59.100 align:middle line:84% having babies, buying land, putting up houses, opening 00:30:59.100 --> 00:31:00.150 align:middle line:90% new businesses. 00:31:00.150 --> 00:31:02.010 align:middle line:90% You could see it in the women. 00:31:02.010 --> 00:31:03.673 align:middle line:84% Hope said the confidence of a mother 00:31:03.673 --> 00:31:05.340 align:middle line:84% pregnant with her fourth or fifth child. 00:31:05.340 --> 00:31:08.430 align:middle line:84% Larry saw it in the maze of construction activities, 00:31:08.430 --> 00:31:12.270 align:middle line:84% one way temporary streets, clearing of land in Anchorage, 00:31:12.270 --> 00:31:15.150 align:middle line:84% a city that still had large areas of untouched land, 00:31:15.150 --> 00:31:19.380 align:middle line:84% contoured and forested the way it had been from all time. 00:31:19.380 --> 00:31:21.570 align:middle line:84% The skyline of the city in all directions 00:31:21.570 --> 00:31:24.690 align:middle line:84% was pierced by the thin latticeworks of cranes, some 00:31:24.690 --> 00:31:26.490 align:middle line:84% atop buildings hauling themselves up 00:31:26.490 --> 00:31:29.730 align:middle line:84% by their own bootstraps, others reaching up impossibly 00:31:29.730 --> 00:31:32.370 align:middle line:84% into the pale blue sky of Alaskan winter 00:31:32.370 --> 00:31:34.800 align:middle line:84% to continue jobs than, in any other year, 00:31:34.800 --> 00:31:37.500 align:middle line:84% would have shut down for the cold season. 00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:39.960 align:middle line:84% Even pipeline officials, although officially 00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:42.705 align:middle line:84% pessimistic and noncommittal, privately admitted 00:31:42.705 --> 00:31:44.580 align:middle line:84% that a second pipeline would almost certainly 00:31:44.580 --> 00:31:48.210 align:middle line:84% be built, as well as a trans-Alaska gas line. 00:31:48.210 --> 00:31:49.920 align:middle line:90% Kenai was booming. 00:31:49.920 --> 00:31:54.210 align:middle line:84% Fairbanks-- crowded, dirty, untenable at times, 00:31:54.210 --> 00:31:56.250 align:middle line:90% practically uninhabitable. 00:31:56.250 --> 00:31:58.360 align:middle line:90% Fairbanks was booming. 00:31:58.360 --> 00:32:01.020 align:middle line:84% The old state capital would be moved from Juneau, 00:32:01.020 --> 00:32:02.610 align:middle line:84% and within the decade, a new city 00:32:02.610 --> 00:32:04.890 align:middle line:84% built somewhere between Anchorage and Fairbanks. 00:32:04.890 --> 00:32:08.010 align:middle line:84% And that, all by itself, was a boom. 00:32:08.010 --> 00:32:09.540 align:middle line:84% If there was a bust coming, no one 00:32:09.540 --> 00:32:11.400 align:middle line:84% could see it in the next 20 or 30 years. 00:32:11.400 --> 00:32:14.970 align:middle line:84% An area the size of Texas, California, and Montana 00:32:14.970 --> 00:32:16.650 align:middle line:84% with the most magnificent country 00:32:16.650 --> 00:32:19.710 align:middle line:84% in some of the richest resources of any state in the union 00:32:19.710 --> 00:32:20.970 align:middle line:90% was booming. 00:32:20.970 --> 00:32:24.060 align:middle line:84% And who could say when it would end? 00:32:24.060 --> 00:32:27.630 align:middle line:84% The men and women in the dark, narrow, untidy room 00:32:27.630 --> 00:32:30.090 align:middle line:84% rested on plain wooden benches, waiting 00:32:30.090 --> 00:32:32.700 align:middle line:84% for the buses that would convey them into the camps. 00:32:32.700 --> 00:32:37.050 align:middle line:84% And they spoke of boom times, and good times, and sad times 00:32:37.050 --> 00:32:39.240 align:middle line:90% ahead. 00:32:39.240 --> 00:32:41.190 align:middle line:84% It was tough, though, going back to work, 00:32:41.190 --> 00:32:42.780 align:middle line:84% seeing the look on your kid's faces. 00:32:42.780 --> 00:32:44.738 align:middle line:84% But where can you make this kind of money, huh? 00:32:44.738 --> 00:32:47.010 align:middle line:84% Tell me that, it's worth it on payday. 00:32:47.010 --> 00:32:50.170 align:middle line:84% Larry listened and thought of the pregnant women. 00:32:50.170 --> 00:32:52.500 align:middle line:84% 'We're going to have one bus for luggage. 00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:53.730 align:middle line:90% One bus. 00:32:53.730 --> 00:32:57.630 align:middle line:84% All luggage will be tagged, and will go on the one bus, 00:32:57.630 --> 00:32:59.580 align:middle line:90% except for your survival gear. 00:32:59.580 --> 00:33:02.730 align:middle line:84% You will take survival gear with you. 00:33:02.730 --> 00:33:06.750 align:middle line:84% We report 58 below from Gunsight Lodge all the way to Tonsina, 00:33:06.750 --> 00:33:09.480 align:middle line:84% and 60 to 80 mile an hour winds in the pass, 00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:15.120 align:middle line:84% so you will take your survival gear in the school buses.' 00:33:15.120 --> 00:33:17.730 align:middle line:84% '80 mile an hour winds,' the man next to Larry said softly. 00:33:17.730 --> 00:33:19.855 align:middle line:84% 'I guess we're a hell of a lot better off in a bus. 00:33:19.855 --> 00:33:22.320 align:middle line:84% I wouldn't fly down from there, not this time of the year. 00:33:22.320 --> 00:33:25.140 align:middle line:84% I don't care how long a bus takes.' 00:33:25.140 --> 00:33:26.213 align:middle line:90% Larry rubbed at his eyes. 00:33:26.213 --> 00:33:27.630 align:middle line:84% He didn't want a 10-hour bus ride. 00:33:27.630 --> 00:33:29.422 align:middle line:84% He didn't want another ride in an airplane, 00:33:29.422 --> 00:33:32.838 align:middle line:84% didn't want to be at camp, and couldn't imagine going home. 00:33:32.838 --> 00:33:34.380 align:middle line:84% There was nowhere Larry wanted to be, 00:33:34.380 --> 00:33:36.690 align:middle line:84% nowhere else he could be than doing this thing, 00:33:36.690 --> 00:33:42.030 align:middle line:84% taking the ride, putting in another 63 days and 63 nights. 00:33:42.030 --> 00:33:43.530 align:middle line:90% At last, it was time to leave. 00:33:43.530 --> 00:33:46.030 align:middle line:84% Outside, at 9:00 AM, the sky was getting light. 00:33:46.030 --> 00:33:49.080 align:middle line:84% The temperature in Anchorage stood at 22 below zero. 00:33:49.080 --> 00:33:51.390 align:middle line:84% Traffic, as usual, was tied up along C Street 00:33:51.390 --> 00:33:53.670 align:middle line:84% at the intersection with Northern Lights. 00:33:53.670 --> 00:33:55.920 align:middle line:84% Larry handed the duffel bag to the baggage loader, 00:33:55.920 --> 00:33:58.800 align:middle line:84% got on the bus for terminal, found a window seat halfway 00:33:58.800 --> 00:33:59.490 align:middle line:90% back. 00:33:59.490 --> 00:34:00.930 align:middle line:90% The bus filled up quickly. 00:34:00.930 --> 00:34:03.372 align:middle line:84% Larry stared out the window already frosting up, 00:34:03.372 --> 00:34:05.580 align:middle line:84% and when he got around to looking at the person who'd 00:34:05.580 --> 00:34:07.497 align:middle line:84% taken the aisle seat, he was vaguely surprised 00:34:07.497 --> 00:34:09.840 align:middle line:90% to see it was a woman. 00:34:09.840 --> 00:34:11.760 align:middle line:90% 'Hello,' she said. 00:34:11.760 --> 00:34:13.860 align:middle line:84% It was a greeting that acknowledged his presence 00:34:13.860 --> 00:34:15.659 align:middle line:90% and nothing more. 00:34:15.659 --> 00:34:17.940 align:middle line:84% The woman was not bad looking, had a deep tan 00:34:17.940 --> 00:34:19.920 align:middle line:84% as did many of the returnees who'd flown south 00:34:19.920 --> 00:34:21.780 align:middle line:90% for a few weeks in the sun. 00:34:21.780 --> 00:34:24.300 align:middle line:84% She wore only a heavy jacket and earmuffs, 00:34:24.300 --> 00:34:26.130 align:middle line:90% ordinary woolen mittens. 00:34:26.130 --> 00:34:29.653 align:middle line:84% Apparently, she had not brought her survival gear onto the bus. 00:34:29.653 --> 00:34:32.070 align:middle line:84% Larry turned back to the window and wiped at the gathering 00:34:32.070 --> 00:34:34.050 align:middle line:90% frost with his bare hand. 00:34:34.050 --> 00:34:36.540 align:middle line:84% The temperature in the bus wasn't much above the parking 00:34:36.540 --> 00:34:38.190 align:middle line:90% lot outside. 00:34:38.190 --> 00:34:39.690 align:middle line:84% Maybe the woman figured, if they had 00:34:39.690 --> 00:34:42.420 align:middle line:84% an accident, the gentleman around her would lend her gear, 00:34:42.420 --> 00:34:43.170 align:middle line:90% keep her warm." 00:34:43.170 --> 00:34:48.280 align:middle line:90% 00:34:48.280 --> 00:34:51.250 align:middle line:84% Well, long into this bus ride people 00:34:51.250 --> 00:34:53.590 align:middle line:84% are talking about land and supplies of food, 00:34:53.590 --> 00:34:56.409 align:middle line:84% and shooting people, and stopping 00:34:56.409 --> 00:34:59.420 align:middle line:84% power of relative ammunition, that sort of thing-- 00:34:59.420 --> 00:35:01.420 align:middle line:84% kind of things that Alaskans like to talk about. 00:35:01.420 --> 00:35:07.390 align:middle line:90% 00:35:07.390 --> 00:35:09.580 align:middle line:84% They're into the cold weather, and they're 00:35:09.580 --> 00:35:12.220 align:middle line:90% entering Thompson Pass. 00:35:12.220 --> 00:35:15.160 align:middle line:84% "At Mile 34, the warning signal was dark. 00:35:15.160 --> 00:35:16.630 align:middle line:90% The pass was open. 00:35:16.630 --> 00:35:19.000 align:middle line:84% A spray of snow completely obscured the windshield. 00:35:19.000 --> 00:35:21.250 align:middle line:84% Even after it had cleared, the air in front of the bus 00:35:21.250 --> 00:35:22.960 align:middle line:90% was a swirl of white. 00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:23.870 align:middle line:90% Larry tensed. 00:35:23.870 --> 00:35:25.510 align:middle line:90% A drunk broke off in mid-song. 00:35:25.510 --> 00:35:26.770 align:middle line:90% The bus fish tailed. 00:35:26.770 --> 00:35:29.260 align:middle line:84% Then the road lay out where it was supposed to be, 00:35:29.260 --> 00:35:30.940 align:middle line:90% and the bus followed it. 00:35:30.940 --> 00:35:32.230 align:middle line:90% But there was no relaxing. 00:35:32.230 --> 00:35:34.450 align:middle line:84% A steady booming began as the bus leveled off 00:35:34.450 --> 00:35:35.920 align:middle line:90% at the head of the pass. 00:35:35.920 --> 00:35:39.250 align:middle line:84% From what distance it came there was no way to judge. 00:35:39.250 --> 00:35:41.080 align:middle line:84% Larry had dreaded leaving Hope and the kids 00:35:41.080 --> 00:35:43.540 align:middle line:84% along with the possibility of more quakes. 00:35:43.540 --> 00:35:46.750 align:middle line:84% Suppose the 5.3 was merely a trembler preceding 00:35:46.750 --> 00:35:47.950 align:middle line:90% another giant quake. 00:35:47.950 --> 00:35:49.690 align:middle line:90% The booming continued. 00:35:49.690 --> 00:35:51.790 align:middle line:84% 'Step on it you bastard,' the man shouts out. 00:35:51.790 --> 00:35:53.830 align:middle line:84% 'The frigging snows coming down on us.' 00:35:53.830 --> 00:35:56.320 align:middle line:84% The man apparently had an ice scraper when he boarded, 00:35:56.320 --> 00:35:58.270 align:middle line:84% and he had persistently kept a 6 inch 00:35:58.270 --> 00:36:00.580 align:middle line:90% square of window free of ice. 00:36:00.580 --> 00:36:03.490 align:middle line:84% 'What is it?' Someone called back. 'What's happening?' 00:36:03.490 --> 00:36:05.500 align:middle line:84% The man got up and shouted it was a slide. 00:36:05.500 --> 00:36:07.625 align:middle line:84% He'd seen it up high, but he couldn't tell for sure 00:36:07.625 --> 00:36:08.680 align:middle line:90% if it would hit the road. 00:36:08.680 --> 00:36:10.263 align:middle line:84% The driver shouted back that he wasn't 00:36:10.263 --> 00:36:11.890 align:middle line:90% about to stop and investigate. 00:36:11.890 --> 00:36:14.170 align:middle line:84% Just as he did, the bus swerved again 00:36:14.170 --> 00:36:16.750 align:middle line:84% and plowed through another low drift. 00:36:16.750 --> 00:36:18.920 align:middle line:90% This time it came to a halt. 00:36:18.920 --> 00:36:21.190 align:middle line:84% The driver cursed and tentatively fed gas. 00:36:21.190 --> 00:36:21.970 align:middle line:90% The wheels spun. 00:36:21.970 --> 00:36:24.310 align:middle line:84% He put it in reverse and tried again. 00:36:24.310 --> 00:36:25.840 align:middle line:84% The rear of the bus moved sideways 00:36:25.840 --> 00:36:29.110 align:middle line:90% toward the edge of the road. 00:36:29.110 --> 00:36:32.272 align:middle line:84% The man who always stored food reached into his duffel bag 00:36:32.272 --> 00:36:34.480 align:middle line:84% and began pulling out cold weather gear and chocolate 00:36:34.480 --> 00:36:36.670 align:middle line:84% bars, which he tucked into his shirt pockets. 00:36:36.670 --> 00:36:38.980 align:middle line:90% He looked grimly satisfied. 00:36:38.980 --> 00:36:41.020 align:middle line:84% Larry was glad he'd brought his gear. 00:36:41.020 --> 00:36:43.570 align:middle line:84% The best Jill could come up with was a pair of padded ski 00:36:43.570 --> 00:36:45.400 align:middle line:84% mittens, and even though the motor 00:36:45.400 --> 00:36:48.700 align:middle line:84% was running and the heater still working, she slipped them on. 00:36:48.700 --> 00:36:51.250 align:middle line:84% Everyone was suddenly intent on the rise and fall of the wind 00:36:51.250 --> 00:36:52.600 align:middle line:90% howling outside the bus. 00:36:52.600 --> 00:36:56.890 align:middle line:84% The slide, if there had been one, had died down. 00:36:56.890 --> 00:36:59.520 align:middle line:84% 'Well,' the driver said standing up and facing his passengers, 00:36:59.520 --> 00:37:02.020 align:middle line:84% 'longer we sit here, the more that wind's going to pile snow 00:37:02.020 --> 00:37:02.770 align:middle line:90% up on us. 00:37:02.770 --> 00:37:04.960 align:middle line:84% If you men can push me back, I can cut left, 00:37:04.960 --> 00:37:06.745 align:middle line:90% maybe bull my way through.' 00:37:06.745 --> 00:37:09.940 align:middle line:84% 'We could wait for the next bus,' someone suggested. 00:37:09.940 --> 00:37:11.890 align:middle line:84% But men were already zipping up parkas 00:37:11.890 --> 00:37:13.420 align:middle line:90% and moving toward the door. 00:37:13.420 --> 00:37:16.440 align:middle line:84% 'My business agent's going to hear about this,' the man 00:37:16.440 --> 00:37:18.940 align:middle line:84% behind Larry muttered, getting up and tying a scarf over his 00:37:18.940 --> 00:37:20.350 align:middle line:90% mouth and nose. 00:37:20.350 --> 00:37:22.960 align:middle line:84% Larry struggled into his bib front insulated pants, 00:37:22.960 --> 00:37:25.052 align:middle line:84% and Jill had to stand so he could get by. 00:37:25.052 --> 00:37:27.010 align:middle line:84% 'Hey, sweetheart,' the man with the scarf said, 00:37:27.010 --> 00:37:29.080 align:middle line:84% 'you ain't going out dressed like that, are you?' 00:37:29.080 --> 00:37:31.275 align:middle line:84% Jill frowned at him, took her seat. 00:37:31.275 --> 00:37:33.730 align:middle line:84% 'Don't forget to save my place,' Larry called, 00:37:33.730 --> 00:37:36.700 align:middle line:84% and was pushed along the aisle and out the door. 00:37:36.700 --> 00:37:39.040 align:middle line:84% He found himself in snow above his knees. 00:37:39.040 --> 00:37:40.630 align:middle line:84% The wind driven snow stung his eyes, 00:37:40.630 --> 00:37:42.340 align:middle line:84% and Larry stumbled along, head down, 00:37:42.340 --> 00:37:44.840 align:middle line:84% to take up a position at the front of the bus. 00:37:44.840 --> 00:37:47.380 align:middle line:84% The driver leaned out a side window and shouted for the men 00:37:47.380 --> 00:37:48.550 align:middle line:90% to begin. 00:37:48.550 --> 00:37:51.340 align:middle line:84% Now he revved the engine, and the wheels spun. 00:37:51.340 --> 00:37:53.380 align:middle line:84% Larry could feel the bus give way for a moment. 00:37:53.380 --> 00:37:57.250 align:middle line:84% It moved perhaps half an inch, but did not rock back. 00:37:57.250 --> 00:37:59.770 align:middle line:90% The men slacked off and tensed. 00:37:59.770 --> 00:38:01.217 align:middle line:90% 'Now,' the driver shouted. 00:38:01.217 --> 00:38:02.800 align:middle line:84% And the men along the front of the bus 00:38:02.800 --> 00:38:04.930 align:middle line:84% repeated it, so everyone could hear. 00:38:04.930 --> 00:38:06.880 align:middle line:84% Larry strained, heard men around him grunt, 00:38:06.880 --> 00:38:09.700 align:middle line:84% heard wind and the distant whine of tires. 00:38:09.700 --> 00:38:13.090 align:middle line:84% 'Dummy can't drive,' the man to Larry's right said. 00:38:13.090 --> 00:38:15.190 align:middle line:84% The man was drunk and breathing hard already. 00:38:15.190 --> 00:38:18.370 align:middle line:84% He wore a knit cap that was plastered white with snow. 00:38:18.370 --> 00:38:20.337 align:middle line:84% 'Ease up on a pedal, why don't you?' 00:38:20.337 --> 00:38:22.420 align:middle line:84% He called, as the driver shouted for another push, 00:38:22.420 --> 00:38:24.878 align:middle line:84% and the men threw themselves against the weight of the bus. 00:38:24.878 --> 00:38:27.220 align:middle line:84% This time it moved a few inches and rocked back. 00:38:27.220 --> 00:38:30.370 align:middle line:84% And the men did not need to be told to get in the swing of it. 00:38:30.370 --> 00:38:33.520 align:middle line:84% The bus went backward, stopped, moved forward. 00:38:33.520 --> 00:38:36.670 align:middle line:84% The men pushed farther this time, back, then forward. 00:38:36.670 --> 00:38:39.432 align:middle line:84% The bus moved back five feet and stopped. 00:38:39.432 --> 00:38:41.890 align:middle line:84% One of the passengers floundered along the edge of the road 00:38:41.890 --> 00:38:44.180 align:middle line:84% to the rear and came back to the driver. 00:38:44.180 --> 00:38:46.090 align:middle line:84% 'Snow's already drifted behind us. 00:38:46.090 --> 00:38:48.497 align:middle line:84% We've got to go forward, try to bust through it.' 00:38:48.497 --> 00:38:50.080 align:middle line:84% When Larry got to the rear of the bus, 00:38:50.080 --> 00:38:52.270 align:middle line:84% he found himself alongside Leslie Collins. 00:38:52.270 --> 00:38:55.330 align:middle line:84% 'You know,' Collins said, laying a shoulder into the bus 00:38:55.330 --> 00:38:58.750 align:middle line:84% and bracing himself himself, 'there's a dangerous element 00:38:58.750 --> 00:39:00.400 align:middle line:84% about all this that I find vaguely 00:39:00.400 --> 00:39:03.790 align:middle line:84% attractive.' 'Jesus Christ,' the drunk said, 00:39:03.790 --> 00:39:06.956 align:middle line:84% and moved on down the line to be away from the two. 00:39:06.956 --> 00:39:08.810 align:middle line:90% [LAUGHTER] 00:39:08.810 --> 00:39:10.210 align:middle line:84% Jill was not the only one who had 00:39:10.210 --> 00:39:12.160 align:middle line:84% failed to bring cold weather gear along. 00:39:12.160 --> 00:39:14.785 align:middle line:84% There were five other men still on the bus because they weren't 00:39:14.785 --> 00:39:16.315 align:middle line:84% dressed properly, and two men still 00:39:16.315 --> 00:39:19.030 align:middle line:84% on because they were too drunk to get off. 00:39:19.030 --> 00:39:21.580 align:middle line:84% Jill moved to the front, trying to see through the icy 00:39:21.580 --> 00:39:24.460 align:middle line:84% windshield, scraping clear spots that froze up almost as 00:39:24.460 --> 00:39:26.510 align:middle line:90% soon as she moved from them. 00:39:26.510 --> 00:39:27.970 align:middle line:90% 'What are they doing now?' 00:39:27.970 --> 00:39:30.580 align:middle line:84% She asked, standing in the door while using both hands to move 00:39:30.580 --> 00:39:32.335 align:middle line:90% the scraper over the glass. 00:39:32.335 --> 00:39:34.637 align:middle line:84% 'In back,' the driver told her, sticking his head out 00:39:34.637 --> 00:39:36.970 align:middle line:84% the sliding window, ducking back in, and putting the bus 00:39:36.970 --> 00:39:39.797 align:middle line:84% in gear. 'We have to try it again.' 00:39:39.797 --> 00:39:41.380 align:middle line:84% One of the men who had remained aboard 00:39:41.380 --> 00:39:43.755 align:middle line:84% moved up front, followed by a kid who'd pulled a stocking 00:39:43.755 --> 00:39:44.940 align:middle line:90% cap down over ears. 00:39:44.940 --> 00:39:47.730 align:middle line:84% The driver eased on the gas pedal, backed off, tried again, 00:39:47.730 --> 00:39:50.160 align:middle line:84% and the bus moved a foot and bogged down. 00:39:50.160 --> 00:39:52.800 align:middle line:84% The kid, arms tucked down in the side pockets of his pea coat, 00:39:52.800 --> 00:39:53.955 align:middle line:90% nudged the driver. 00:39:53.955 --> 00:39:55.950 align:middle line:90% 'Would it help if we got off?' 00:39:55.950 --> 00:39:58.380 align:middle line:84% 'You aren't dressed for it.' 'Just till they get moving. 00:39:58.380 --> 00:40:00.600 align:middle line:84% We could stand it maybe three or four minutes.' 00:40:00.600 --> 00:40:03.510 align:middle line:84% 'Sure,' the man said, 'just keep out of the wind. 00:40:03.510 --> 00:40:06.060 align:middle line:84% Suit yourself.' The driver opened the door. 00:40:06.060 --> 00:40:08.040 align:middle line:84% On impulse, Jill stepped out into the snow 00:40:08.040 --> 00:40:09.900 align:middle line:84% and hunched down inside her jacket. 00:40:09.900 --> 00:40:11.872 align:middle line:90% At least her hands were warm. 00:40:11.872 --> 00:40:13.830 align:middle line:84% She walked out into the full force of the wind, 00:40:13.830 --> 00:40:16.690 align:middle line:84% backing into it all the way to the other side of the road. 00:40:16.690 --> 00:40:18.330 align:middle line:84% She could just see the rear of the bus 00:40:18.330 --> 00:40:20.610 align:middle line:84% through the darkness and blowing snow. 00:40:20.610 --> 00:40:23.850 align:middle line:84% Another 20 feet up the road, she could just see the front, 00:40:23.850 --> 00:40:27.390 align:middle line:84% not even hear the bus over the sound of the wind. 00:40:27.390 --> 00:40:29.130 align:middle line:84% She cupped her mittens around her eyes, 00:40:29.130 --> 00:40:30.797 align:middle line:84% and peered down the road ahead, and then 00:40:30.797 --> 00:40:32.850 align:middle line:84% turned to look back down the pass. 00:40:32.850 --> 00:40:36.210 align:middle line:84% A light glimmered faintly, an orange light. 00:40:36.210 --> 00:40:38.910 align:middle line:84% She moved a few steps toward it, then saw the light again. 00:40:38.910 --> 00:40:41.520 align:middle line:84% It blinked on and off three times. 00:40:41.520 --> 00:40:44.940 align:middle line:84% A dull low growl sounded during a lull in the wind, 00:40:44.940 --> 00:40:47.310 align:middle line:84% and Jill recognized it immediately-- the sound 00:40:47.310 --> 00:40:50.640 align:middle line:84% of a big diesel engine, a road grader or a snowplow 00:40:50.640 --> 00:40:53.220 align:middle line:90% with a blinking light. 00:40:53.220 --> 00:40:55.090 align:middle line:84% Throwing off a sudden shiver from the cold, 00:40:55.090 --> 00:40:57.048 align:middle line:84% Jill scuffled through the snow to where the two 00:40:57.048 --> 00:40:58.400 align:middle line:90% men huddled out of the wind. 00:40:58.400 --> 00:41:00.150 align:middle line:84% The tires were still spinning, but the bus 00:41:00.150 --> 00:41:02.550 align:middle line:84% was moving slowly, moved back to where it had 00:41:02.550 --> 00:41:04.740 align:middle line:90% been when they first got stuck. 00:41:04.740 --> 00:41:06.150 align:middle line:84% She told the kid about the noise, 00:41:06.150 --> 00:41:09.600 align:middle line:84% let him know she was going down the road to meet the plow. 00:41:09.600 --> 00:41:11.370 align:middle line:84% He nodded arms, hugged around his chest. 00:41:11.370 --> 00:41:13.920 align:middle line:90% 'I'm getting back in the bus.' 00:41:13.920 --> 00:41:16.170 align:middle line:84% Jill passed some of the men coming up on the roadside 00:41:16.170 --> 00:41:18.060 align:middle line:84% to the front of the bus and carefully avoided 00:41:18.060 --> 00:41:20.190 align:middle line:84% crossing directly and back, just in case 00:41:20.190 --> 00:41:22.380 align:middle line:84% the bus should come free and roll. 00:41:22.380 --> 00:41:25.530 align:middle line:84% In places, the snow was blown nearly down to the pavement. 00:41:25.530 --> 00:41:28.240 align:middle line:84% And in other spots, drifts of two and three feet 00:41:28.240 --> 00:41:29.670 align:middle line:90% suddenly appeared. 00:41:29.670 --> 00:41:31.470 align:middle line:84% The tracks of the bus were already covered, 00:41:31.470 --> 00:41:33.240 align:middle line:84% and she turned to look back, seeing 00:41:33.240 --> 00:41:36.803 align:middle line:84% the tail lights glowing softly through the wind whipped snow. 00:41:36.803 --> 00:41:38.970 align:middle line:84% Again, she cupped her eyes and peered down the road, 00:41:38.970 --> 00:41:40.530 align:middle line:90% listening for the plow. 00:41:40.530 --> 00:41:43.153 align:middle line:84% She took a few more steps and hesitated, not sure 00:41:43.153 --> 00:41:44.070 align:middle line:90% if she was hearing it. 00:41:44.070 --> 00:41:46.050 align:middle line:84% Then she saw the orange light blink again, 00:41:46.050 --> 00:41:48.990 align:middle line:84% and it seemed measurably closer than the last time 00:41:48.990 --> 00:41:50.522 align:middle line:90% she'd seen it. 00:41:50.522 --> 00:41:52.230 align:middle line:84% Looking back at the bus, she could barely 00:41:52.230 --> 00:41:53.605 align:middle line:84% make out the tail lights, and she 00:41:53.605 --> 00:41:55.980 align:middle line:84% was hesitant to move completely out of range. 00:41:55.980 --> 00:41:57.270 align:middle line:90% She was getting cold. 00:41:57.270 --> 00:41:59.880 align:middle line:84% There was no telling how fast the plow was working. 00:41:59.880 --> 00:42:03.300 align:middle line:84% In fact, it was possible it was sitting still or working 00:42:03.300 --> 00:42:07.320 align:middle line:84% a particular patch of road, maybe a small slide. 00:42:07.320 --> 00:42:09.120 align:middle line:84% Jill smiled at the thought of the driver 00:42:09.120 --> 00:42:11.520 align:middle line:84% moving snow up through this desolate empty pass 00:42:11.520 --> 00:42:14.970 align:middle line:84% and seeing a woman hitchhiking atop a snow bank. 00:42:14.970 --> 00:42:17.430 align:middle line:84% She listened, and this time the powerful throaty roar 00:42:17.430 --> 00:42:19.782 align:middle line:84% of the engine seemed to come from just down the road. 00:42:19.782 --> 00:42:21.240 align:middle line:84% The snow would let up for a moment, 00:42:21.240 --> 00:42:24.230 align:middle line:84% and she could see the orange beacon flicking on and off. 00:42:24.230 --> 00:42:25.980 align:middle line:84% Jill took a last look at the bus and began 00:42:25.980 --> 00:42:28.020 align:middle line:84% to jog, stumbling in the snow once or twice, 00:42:28.020 --> 00:42:29.732 align:middle line:90% but glad to be warmed up. 00:42:29.732 --> 00:42:32.190 align:middle line:84% She heard the engine again, but couldn't tell exactly where 00:42:32.190 --> 00:42:33.030 align:middle line:90% it was coming from. 00:42:33.030 --> 00:42:35.970 align:middle line:84% This time, the sound seemed to come from behind her. 00:42:35.970 --> 00:42:38.760 align:middle line:84% Perhaps it was the bus or another plow. 00:42:38.760 --> 00:42:40.583 align:middle line:84% The wind blew up a sudden gust, and Jill 00:42:40.583 --> 00:42:42.750 align:middle line:84% ducked, following the road by watching for the metal 00:42:42.750 --> 00:42:44.910 align:middle line:90% markers on each side. 00:42:44.910 --> 00:42:47.460 align:middle line:84% The wind eased up again, and Jill stopped, puzzled 00:42:47.460 --> 00:42:49.560 align:middle line:90% and suddenly apprehensive. 00:42:49.560 --> 00:42:52.140 align:middle line:84% The engine sound now came from below, then 00:42:52.140 --> 00:42:53.520 align:middle line:90% to the left of the road. 00:42:53.520 --> 00:42:57.197 align:middle line:84% Once it quite clearly seemed to come from above. 00:42:57.197 --> 00:42:59.280 align:middle line:84% Jill raised her head to look for the orange bubble 00:42:59.280 --> 00:43:02.700 align:middle line:84% light on the plow and felt a wave of sick fear 00:43:02.700 --> 00:43:04.560 align:middle line:90% pass over her. 00:43:04.560 --> 00:43:06.270 align:middle line:84% The orange light she was following 00:43:06.270 --> 00:43:10.110 align:middle line:84% was one of the overhead markers, a reflector mounted on a metal 00:43:10.110 --> 00:43:11.550 align:middle line:84% pole that arched out over the road 00:43:11.550 --> 00:43:14.010 align:middle line:84% to show drivers where the edge of the highway was. 00:43:14.010 --> 00:43:16.500 align:middle line:84% The marker was loose, and it wobbled in the wind, 00:43:16.500 --> 00:43:19.290 align:middle line:84% picking up the light of a single unshaded bulb that 00:43:19.290 --> 00:43:21.570 align:middle line:84% illuminated a highway department tool shed 00:43:21.570 --> 00:43:24.360 align:middle line:90% half buried in the snow. 00:43:24.360 --> 00:43:26.280 align:middle line:84% Jill listened for the plow, heard 00:43:26.280 --> 00:43:28.860 align:middle line:84% only the wind and the steady creak of the reflector 00:43:28.860 --> 00:43:31.050 align:middle line:90% as it bobbled up and down. 00:43:31.050 --> 00:43:34.140 align:middle line:84% Then she heard another engine sound for a split second, 00:43:34.140 --> 00:43:36.640 align:middle line:90% faint but unmistakable-- 00:43:36.640 --> 00:43:38.700 align:middle line:90% the bus. 00:43:38.700 --> 00:43:40.290 align:middle line:84% And then, as if taunting her, the wind 00:43:40.290 --> 00:43:42.060 align:middle line:84% snatched sounds of a diesel engine 00:43:42.060 --> 00:43:44.550 align:middle line:84% and blew them at her from all directions. 00:43:44.550 --> 00:43:46.050 align:middle line:84% A violent shiver went through Jill 00:43:46.050 --> 00:43:49.155 align:middle line:84% as she turned and began to trudge back uphill. 00:43:49.155 --> 00:43:50.530 align:middle line:84% 'What, you lose your girlfriend?' 00:43:50.530 --> 00:43:53.165 align:middle line:84% The guy behind Larry said as the men settled into their seats. 00:43:53.165 --> 00:43:55.290 align:middle line:84% Larry shrugged, nodding toward the back of the bus. 00:43:55.290 --> 00:43:57.720 align:middle line:84% 'I guess she found better company.' 00:43:57.720 --> 00:43:59.970 align:middle line:84% The kid across the aisle tapped Larry on the shoulder. 00:43:59.970 --> 00:44:01.890 align:middle line:84% 'If he means the girl you're sitting with, 00:44:01.890 --> 00:44:05.040 align:middle line:84% she caught a ride with a snowplow.' 00:44:05.040 --> 00:44:06.540 align:middle line:90% A snowplow? 00:44:06.540 --> 00:44:07.410 align:middle line:90% Larry looked down. 00:44:07.410 --> 00:44:10.350 align:middle line:90% Her bag was still in the bus. 00:44:10.350 --> 00:44:13.320 align:middle line:84% The kid shrugged. 'Well, that's what she told me.' 00:44:13.320 --> 00:44:15.570 align:middle line:84% 'So that's what that was,' his seatmate said. 00:44:15.570 --> 00:44:17.460 align:middle line:84% 'I went over to the other side of the road to take a leak. 00:44:17.460 --> 00:44:19.627 align:middle line:84% I thought I heard a piece of heavy equipment moving. 00:44:19.627 --> 00:44:21.990 align:middle line:84% I thought it was my imagination.' 00:44:21.990 --> 00:44:23.490 align:middle line:84% Larry got up and went to the driver. 00:44:23.490 --> 00:44:25.573 align:middle line:84% The bus was well over to the left side of the road 00:44:25.573 --> 00:44:26.742 align:middle line:90% and free of the drifts. 00:44:26.742 --> 00:44:28.950 align:middle line:84% The driver was scraping ice away from the windshield. 00:44:28.950 --> 00:44:33.240 align:middle line:90% Two men were helping him. 00:44:33.240 --> 00:44:36.567 align:middle line:84% 'The woman that I was sitting with isn't on the bus.' 00:44:36.567 --> 00:44:38.650 align:middle line:84% 'She got a ride with a snowplow,' the driver said, 00:44:38.650 --> 00:44:40.590 align:middle line:84% finishing a section of the scraping and putting the bus 00:44:40.590 --> 00:44:41.340 align:middle line:90% in gear. 00:44:41.340 --> 00:44:45.930 align:middle line:84% He moved out very slowly, testing the road surface. 00:44:45.930 --> 00:44:48.570 align:middle line:84% Jill bit down on her tongue as if to take away the pain 00:44:48.570 --> 00:44:50.800 align:middle line:90% she felt now in both feet. 00:44:50.800 --> 00:44:53.670 align:middle line:84% It was difficult to run, and for an awful moment, 00:44:53.670 --> 00:44:55.860 align:middle line:84% she thought the bus had left her. 00:44:55.860 --> 00:44:57.540 align:middle line:84% Then she saw the tail lights, the bus 00:44:57.540 --> 00:44:59.050 align:middle line:90% waiting for her on the road. 00:44:59.050 --> 00:45:01.052 align:middle line:84% Jesus, she thought, how embarrassing. 00:45:01.052 --> 00:45:03.510 align:middle line:84% They hadn't been waiting for her long, and she'd never hear 00:45:03.510 --> 00:45:04.170 align:middle line:90% The end of it. 00:45:04.170 --> 00:45:07.110 align:middle line:84% They were probably thinking of sending out search parties. 00:45:07.110 --> 00:45:08.580 align:middle line:90% Live and learn. 00:45:08.580 --> 00:45:10.530 align:middle line:84% She stumbled and fell headlong in the snow, 00:45:10.530 --> 00:45:13.323 align:middle line:84% dragging herself upright with great effort. 00:45:13.323 --> 00:45:14.490 align:middle line:90% This was no fooling, though. 00:45:14.490 --> 00:45:16.050 align:middle line:90% She was cold and tired. 00:45:16.050 --> 00:45:18.960 align:middle line:84% I wouldn't be surprised to find a few patches of mild frostbite 00:45:18.960 --> 00:45:20.790 align:middle line:90% tomorrow morning. 00:45:20.790 --> 00:45:22.710 align:middle line:84% She moved toward the bus and blinked 00:45:22.710 --> 00:45:24.030 align:middle line:90% at the sudden rush of snow. 00:45:24.030 --> 00:45:25.260 align:middle line:90% It was odd. 00:45:25.260 --> 00:45:27.090 align:middle line:84% She had taken several steps, but hadn't 00:45:27.090 --> 00:45:30.300 align:middle line:84% come any closer than 10 feet to the rear of the bus. 00:45:30.300 --> 00:45:32.730 align:middle line:84% She shook her head, and lurched forward, and dumbly 00:45:32.730 --> 00:45:36.390 align:middle line:84% watched the bus recede just the distance she had moved-- 00:45:36.390 --> 00:45:38.100 align:middle line:90% moving. 00:45:38.100 --> 00:45:41.310 align:middle line:84% She took two quick steps and understood that the bus itself 00:45:41.310 --> 00:45:43.110 align:middle line:90% was moving. 00:45:43.110 --> 00:45:45.120 align:middle line:84% 'This is no time for games,' she whispered, 00:45:45.120 --> 00:45:46.560 align:middle line:90% furious at the driver. 00:45:46.560 --> 00:45:47.298 align:middle line:90% The bus slowed. 00:45:47.298 --> 00:45:48.840 align:middle line:84% She caught up to it, steadied herself 00:45:48.840 --> 00:45:50.670 align:middle line:84% against the rear tail light for a moment, 00:45:50.670 --> 00:45:53.700 align:middle line:84% and then felt the bus draw inexorably away. 00:45:53.700 --> 00:45:57.300 align:middle line:84% Jill began to run in a slow determined dog trot. 00:45:57.300 --> 00:46:00.420 align:middle line:84% She caught up again and pounded a fist against the rear panel-- 00:46:00.420 --> 00:46:03.390 align:middle line:84% pounded in silent dreamlike gestures 00:46:03.390 --> 00:46:06.900 align:middle line:84% with her soft, padded, thickly insulated mitten. 00:46:06.900 --> 00:46:10.440 align:middle line:84% 'Stop,' Jill screamed, and the words were torn from her lips 00:46:10.440 --> 00:46:12.120 align:middle line:90% by a gust of wind. 00:46:12.120 --> 00:46:14.430 align:middle line:84% The bus slowed, as if in obedience, and Jill whipped 00:46:14.430 --> 00:46:16.380 align:middle line:84% her mitten off, smacking the steel 00:46:16.380 --> 00:46:19.290 align:middle line:90% of the bus with her bare palm. 00:46:19.290 --> 00:46:21.840 align:middle line:84% She felt a sudden tug as the bus lurched forward again. 00:46:21.840 --> 00:46:24.870 align:middle line:84% Jill stumbled after it on feet that had no more feeling, 00:46:24.870 --> 00:46:27.240 align:middle line:84% and tried to pull free, but the hand 00:46:27.240 --> 00:46:31.170 align:middle line:90% was frozen fast to the metal. 00:46:31.170 --> 00:46:34.680 align:middle line:84% And then she fell, glimpsing in one moment 00:46:34.680 --> 00:46:36.540 align:middle line:90% the imprint of her hand-- 00:46:36.540 --> 00:46:40.740 align:middle line:84% not the imprint, but the seared frozen layer of flesh 00:46:40.740 --> 00:46:44.100 align:middle line:84% with all its intricacies and unique whorls, the love line, 00:46:44.100 --> 00:46:46.890 align:middle line:84% the money line, the lifeline, the individual 00:46:46.890 --> 00:46:49.560 align:middle line:84% patterns of the fingers torn loose 00:46:49.560 --> 00:46:52.650 align:middle line:84% and mounted like a butterfly that disappeared 00:46:52.650 --> 00:46:55.560 align:middle line:90% into the darkness and the snow. 00:46:55.560 --> 00:46:58.440 align:middle line:84% She lay, her ruined hand outstretched in the snow, 00:46:58.440 --> 00:47:00.630 align:middle line:84% and sobbed, listening to the sound 00:47:00.630 --> 00:47:04.140 align:middle line:84% of a powerful diesel engine throbbing into the night. 00:47:04.140 --> 00:47:06.540 align:middle line:90% Now close, now far away." 00:47:06.540 --> 00:47:16.550 align:middle line:90% 00:47:16.550 --> 00:47:18.050 align:middle line:84% That would be one nasty funny scene. 00:47:18.050 --> 00:47:20.960 align:middle line:84% That's my favorite character in this book-- is Little Nasty. 00:47:20.960 --> 00:47:24.440 align:middle line:84% And what-- I made him out of four or five people. 00:47:24.440 --> 00:47:25.670 align:middle line:90% I got up to Alaska. 00:47:25.670 --> 00:47:27.200 align:middle line:84% People come up to me in the camps. 00:47:27.200 --> 00:47:31.220 align:middle line:84% I visited Alaska a couple of weeks ago-- a week or so ago. 00:47:31.220 --> 00:47:33.080 align:middle line:84% And people come up to me, cold foot. 00:47:33.080 --> 00:47:35.270 align:middle line:84% Guy says, hey, I know Little Nasty. 00:47:35.270 --> 00:47:37.910 align:middle line:84% He's so-and-so, a guy in Fairbanks. 00:47:37.910 --> 00:47:38.995 align:middle line:90% I know Little Nasty. 00:47:38.995 --> 00:47:40.370 align:middle line:84% He used to work in the pipe yard. 00:47:40.370 --> 00:47:41.570 align:middle line:90% The guy's at the terminal. 00:47:41.570 --> 00:47:43.860 align:middle line:84% Nobody got the right name, so I thought 00:47:43.860 --> 00:47:46.190 align:middle line:84% I'd created some unique character here, 00:47:46.190 --> 00:47:47.062 align:middle line:90% and maybe I have. 00:47:47.062 --> 00:47:49.520 align:middle line:84% But there seemed to be a bunch of unique characters running 00:47:49.520 --> 00:47:50.310 align:middle line:90% around in Alaska. 00:47:50.310 --> 00:47:52.920 align:middle line:90% 00:47:52.920 --> 00:47:54.140 align:middle line:90% It's in a scene in a bar. 00:47:54.140 --> 00:47:58.610 align:middle line:84% Little Nasty, Tiny, his friend, is 6 foot 3, weighs 300 pounds. 00:47:58.610 --> 00:48:01.910 align:middle line:84% So remember, Little Nasty, Tiny, and Big Nasty 00:48:01.910 --> 00:48:04.370 align:middle line:84% comes into the picture, along with Larry. 00:48:04.370 --> 00:48:05.930 align:middle line:84% They're telling stories in the bar. 00:48:05.930 --> 00:48:08.660 align:middle line:84% "The bar was a snug retreat for stories of cold 00:48:08.660 --> 00:48:11.285 align:middle line:84% walks down mountains, six week camping treks 00:48:11.285 --> 00:48:13.160 align:middle line:84% through the Brooks range living on Dall sheep 00:48:13.160 --> 00:48:14.570 align:middle line:90% and moving with the herd. 00:48:14.570 --> 00:48:16.850 align:middle line:84% Tales of narrow escapes in the winter, 00:48:16.850 --> 00:48:20.690 align:middle line:84% bountiful harvests of salmon and women, good and bad. 00:48:20.690 --> 00:48:22.340 align:middle line:84% Barney had taken a native girl to bed 00:48:22.340 --> 00:48:25.040 align:middle line:84% with only a blanket between them and the rest of the family. 00:48:25.040 --> 00:48:26.690 align:middle line:90% In the morning [AUDIO OUT]. 00:48:26.690 --> 00:48:44.100 align:middle line:90% 00:48:44.100 --> 00:48:47.440 align:middle line:84% So remember, Little Nasty, Tiny, and Big Nasty 00:48:47.440 --> 00:48:49.810 align:middle line:84% comes into the picture, along with Larry. 00:48:49.810 --> 00:48:51.640 align:middle line:84% They're telling stories in the bar. 00:48:51.640 --> 00:48:54.070 align:middle line:84% The bar was a snug retreat for stories of cold 00:48:54.070 --> 00:48:56.605 align:middle line:84% walks down mountains, six week camping treks 00:48:56.605 --> 00:48:58.480 align:middle line:84% through the Brooks range living on Dall sheep 00:48:58.480 --> 00:48:59.770 align:middle line:90% and moving with the herd. 00:48:59.770 --> 00:49:01.930 align:middle line:84% Tales of narrow escapes in the winter, 00:49:01.930 --> 00:49:05.800 align:middle line:84% bountiful harvests of salmon and women, good and bad. 00:49:05.800 --> 00:49:07.450 align:middle line:84% Barney had taken a native girl to bed 00:49:07.450 --> 00:49:10.060 align:middle line:84% with only a blanket between them and the rest of the family. 00:49:10.060 --> 00:49:12.100 align:middle line:84% In the morning, the girl begged him to stay. 00:49:12.100 --> 00:49:13.360 align:middle line:90% 'You good man. 00:49:13.360 --> 00:49:16.930 align:middle line:84% You make my ass come glad four or five times,' she told him 00:49:16.930 --> 00:49:18.730 align:middle line:84% in front of her mother, fathers, uncles, 00:49:18.730 --> 00:49:21.640 align:middle line:84% toothless ancestors in the smoky smelly room. 00:49:21.640 --> 00:49:23.140 align:middle line:90% Larry heard a familiar laugh-- 00:49:23.140 --> 00:49:24.010 align:middle line:90% Little Nasty. 00:49:24.010 --> 00:49:27.220 align:middle line:84% 'Larry,' Nasty said quickly, 'you seen a woman in here about 00:49:27.220 --> 00:49:33.040 align:middle line:84% 5 foot 8, square shoulders, one bad eye?' 'Jesus,' Barney said. 00:49:33.040 --> 00:49:36.110 align:middle line:84% Nasty glared at him. 'That's my wife.' 00:49:36.110 --> 00:49:38.920 align:middle line:84% 'That's Big Nasty,' Larry heard over his shoulder. 00:49:38.920 --> 00:49:41.560 align:middle line:84% It was Tiny looking more perturbed than usual. 00:49:41.560 --> 00:49:45.550 align:middle line:84% 'That right?' 'Why do you think they call me Little Nasty?' 00:49:45.550 --> 00:49:48.730 align:middle line:84% Little Nasty said. 'She took a room over to the White House, 00:49:48.730 --> 00:49:51.700 align:middle line:84% but damned if I can find her here, there, or anywheres.' 00:49:51.700 --> 00:49:53.080 align:middle line:84% He laid a hand up on the counter, 00:49:53.080 --> 00:49:54.565 align:middle line:90% and Larry looked down at it. 00:49:54.565 --> 00:49:56.950 align:middle line:84% 'Nasty, I never noticed you had a finger missing,' Larry 00:49:56.950 --> 00:49:58.660 align:middle line:90% blurted. 'Did that just happen?' 00:49:58.660 --> 00:50:01.400 align:middle line:84% 'Iron working's dangerous,' Tiny said, 00:50:01.400 --> 00:50:05.380 align:middle line:84% 'especially if you don't know what you're doing.' 00:50:05.380 --> 00:50:07.270 align:middle line:84% Tiny held his hands out to show Larry 00:50:07.270 --> 00:50:08.890 align:middle line:84% how scarred and beaten up they were. 00:50:08.890 --> 00:50:11.860 align:middle line:84% Larry stuck out a finger. 'Timekeeping has its dangers, 00:50:11.860 --> 00:50:12.940 align:middle line:90% too. 00:50:12.940 --> 00:50:16.000 align:middle line:84% I once had a paper cut right there on the end of the finger. 00:50:16.000 --> 00:50:19.390 align:middle line:84% And another time I nearly got scratched on a staple.' 00:50:19.390 --> 00:50:21.760 align:middle line:84% Tiny grabbed Larry's hand and turned it front and back, 00:50:21.760 --> 00:50:22.630 align:middle line:90% inspecting it. 00:50:22.630 --> 00:50:25.420 align:middle line:84% 'Look at this.' He held his hand up, disgusted. 00:50:25.420 --> 00:50:27.880 align:middle line:90% 'He's got hands like a cunt.' 00:50:27.880 --> 00:50:29.515 align:middle line:90% Maggie turned away. 00:50:29.515 --> 00:50:32.560 align:middle line:84% 'Your face is funny, but you ain't,' Nasty told him. 00:50:32.560 --> 00:50:35.050 align:middle line:84% 'That there is the stupid slab-sided son of a bitch took 00:50:35.050 --> 00:50:35.830 align:middle line:90% my finger off. 00:50:35.830 --> 00:50:38.950 align:middle line:84% I seen dumber mules, but I don't recollect when.' 00:50:38.950 --> 00:50:40.270 align:middle line:90% 'Hey, get off my case, cracker. 00:50:40.270 --> 00:50:43.300 align:middle line:84% You've been running your mouth at me all week.' 00:50:43.300 --> 00:50:45.460 align:middle line:84% Nasty held up his hand for everyone to see. 00:50:45.460 --> 00:50:47.380 align:middle line:84% 'This clown is supposed to be a big rigger, 00:50:47.380 --> 00:50:49.090 align:middle line:90% but he cut my damn finger off. 00:50:49.090 --> 00:50:50.560 align:middle line:90% Big nigger, more like. 00:50:50.560 --> 00:50:52.420 align:middle line:84% Some honcho we got pushing us out there. 00:50:52.420 --> 00:50:55.360 align:middle line:84% You know, he paid the room clerk in camp $100 to get put in with 00:50:55.360 --> 00:50:58.060 align:middle line:84% that pretty boy that sings here nights.' 00:50:58.060 --> 00:50:59.410 align:middle line:90% 'You're trying hard. 00:50:59.410 --> 00:51:01.960 align:middle line:84% I told you to stay off my case, pipsqueak.' 00:51:01.960 --> 00:51:04.390 align:middle line:84% Little Nasty hardly came up to Tiny's chest, 00:51:04.390 --> 00:51:07.000 align:middle line:84% but he faced the man like he was about to tear into him. 00:51:07.000 --> 00:51:09.850 align:middle line:84% 'I could rig better than you with my eyes closed.' 00:51:09.850 --> 00:51:13.600 align:middle line:84% He waved his hand, the stumpy finger, at Tiny. 00:51:13.600 --> 00:51:14.590 align:middle line:90% 'That right? 00:51:14.590 --> 00:51:15.940 align:middle line:90% Well, you know something? 00:51:15.940 --> 00:51:17.500 align:middle line:90% You can't weld worth a damn. 00:51:17.500 --> 00:51:19.810 align:middle line:90% No wonder 798 threw you out.' 00:51:19.810 --> 00:51:22.270 align:middle line:84% Everyone was laughing now as Nasty got up on his toes 00:51:22.270 --> 00:51:23.380 align:middle line:90% trying to bull Tiny. 00:51:23.380 --> 00:51:26.080 align:middle line:84% 'Can't rig because you got your mind on that pretty boy, 00:51:26.080 --> 00:51:27.580 align:middle line:90% ain't you?' 00:51:27.580 --> 00:51:28.780 align:middle line:90% Tiny shook his head sadly. 00:51:28.780 --> 00:51:31.750 align:middle line:84% Well, if I had to choose between him and your wife, 00:51:31.750 --> 00:51:33.880 align:middle line:84% from what I've seen in the pictures, I got to say, 00:51:33.880 --> 00:51:36.310 align:middle line:84% Big Nasty would run a close second.' 00:51:36.310 --> 00:51:38.890 align:middle line:84% He turned suddenly and began to walk away. 00:51:38.890 --> 00:51:41.530 align:middle line:84% Nasty moved after him, touched him on the shoulder. 00:51:41.530 --> 00:51:44.740 align:middle line:84% Heads turned at the bar. 'Feisty little bastard,' Greenwood 00:51:44.740 --> 00:51:45.400 align:middle line:90% said. 00:51:45.400 --> 00:51:47.605 align:middle line:84% Tiny shrugged Nasty off and took two more steps. 00:51:47.605 --> 00:51:49.570 align:middle line:84% 'I ain't in no mood to play with you, 00:51:49.570 --> 00:51:53.060 align:middle line:84% and I don't want to meet your wife, please.' 00:51:53.060 --> 00:51:54.790 align:middle line:84% Little Nasty took a few scampering 00:51:54.790 --> 00:51:57.490 align:middle line:84% steps and kicked Tiny sharply just behind the knee. 00:51:57.490 --> 00:51:59.590 align:middle line:84% As Tiny turned, reaching down to touch his leg, 00:51:59.590 --> 00:52:03.740 align:middle line:84% Nasty drew back and threw a hard right to Tiny's jaw. 00:52:03.740 --> 00:52:06.460 align:middle line:84% It was early in the evening, and the bar was only half full. 00:52:06.460 --> 00:52:08.710 align:middle line:84% Everyone in the club jumped at the sound of the fist 00:52:08.710 --> 00:52:11.590 align:middle line:84% against skin, the sharp crack of teeth, 00:52:11.590 --> 00:52:13.480 align:middle line:84% the unmistakable sound of another fight. 00:52:13.480 --> 00:52:16.150 align:middle line:90% 00:52:16.150 --> 00:52:19.900 align:middle line:84% For Nasty, seeing Tiny stand there after taking a roundhouse 00:52:19.900 --> 00:52:22.810 align:middle line:84% was worse than wasting his last bullet on a rattler. 00:52:22.810 --> 00:52:24.970 align:middle line:90% There wasn't but one hope. 00:52:24.970 --> 00:52:27.700 align:middle line:84% He moved in, and got the man locked fingers and went 00:52:27.700 --> 00:52:28.810 align:middle line:90% for the tip. 00:52:28.810 --> 00:52:30.580 align:middle line:90% And then the pounding. 00:52:30.580 --> 00:52:32.170 align:middle line:84% For a time, the blows stopped hurting, 00:52:32.170 --> 00:52:33.340 align:middle line:90% but Tiny was getting to him. 00:52:33.340 --> 00:52:34.257 align:middle line:90% His ears were ringing. 00:52:34.257 --> 00:52:36.700 align:middle line:84% Purple lights went on and off behind his eyes. 00:52:36.700 --> 00:52:37.870 align:middle line:90% Tiny hit. 00:52:37.870 --> 00:52:39.700 align:middle line:84% Nasty shifted and found a good bite 00:52:39.700 --> 00:52:42.375 align:middle line:84% lower down where the man's belly flab began. 00:52:42.375 --> 00:52:44.500 align:middle line:84% It was a lucky thing Tiny had his coat off and wore 00:52:44.500 --> 00:52:45.940 align:middle line:90% a light polyester shirt. 00:52:45.940 --> 00:52:48.130 align:middle line:84% Wouldn't want to be eaten no flannel starting 00:52:48.130 --> 00:52:50.410 align:middle line:90% in through a down parka. 00:52:50.410 --> 00:52:53.410 align:middle line:84% Tiny slowed the rhythm of his punches as nasty bit down. 00:52:53.410 --> 00:52:56.050 align:middle line:84% He could feel the man stiffen against him as he chewed. 00:52:56.050 --> 00:52:58.880 align:middle line:84% I'm a bulldog, Nasty repeated over and over, 00:52:58.880 --> 00:53:00.160 align:middle line:90% trying to stay conscious. 00:53:00.160 --> 00:53:02.860 align:middle line:84% Damn bear's going to stove in my head. 00:53:02.860 --> 00:53:04.750 align:middle line:84% 'This man's eating me up,' Tiny screamed, 00:53:04.750 --> 00:53:07.780 align:middle line:84% his blows falling on Nasty's shoulder, the side of his head, 00:53:07.780 --> 00:53:09.250 align:middle line:90% his neck. 00:53:09.250 --> 00:53:11.890 align:middle line:84% Nasty burrowed in all the more, ground his teeth 00:53:11.890 --> 00:53:13.810 align:middle line:84% into the fold of fat, chewing his way down 00:53:13.810 --> 00:53:15.220 align:middle line:90% until he could taste blood. 00:53:15.220 --> 00:53:17.410 align:middle line:90% He hoped it was Tiny's blood. 00:53:17.410 --> 00:53:20.350 align:middle line:84% 'Don't bite,' Tiny shouted and beat on his head. 00:53:20.350 --> 00:53:22.120 align:middle line:84% Nasty chewed and got knocked away, 00:53:22.120 --> 00:53:24.340 align:middle line:84% dove in for a new bite higher on the chest, 00:53:24.340 --> 00:53:26.480 align:middle line:84% and worked his teeth from side to side, 00:53:26.480 --> 00:53:29.410 align:middle line:84% trying to bring the cutters into play. 'You son of a bitch, 00:53:29.410 --> 00:53:31.600 align:middle line:90% he's biting me to pieces.' 00:53:31.600 --> 00:53:34.210 align:middle line:84% Nasty heard a shrill woman scream to one side, 00:53:34.210 --> 00:53:35.920 align:middle line:84% but he didn't dare open his eyes. 00:53:35.920 --> 00:53:39.070 align:middle line:84% He ground his teeth into Tiny's flesh, getting more blood, 00:53:39.070 --> 00:53:42.410 align:middle line:84% tearing all the harder when Tiny's punches jerked his head. 00:53:42.410 --> 00:53:45.490 align:middle line:84% Let the man's strength work against him. 00:53:45.490 --> 00:53:48.730 align:middle line:84% That scream again, high pitched, awesome. 00:53:48.730 --> 00:53:51.200 align:middle line:84% 'She's got a bar stool,' someone shouted, 00:53:51.200 --> 00:53:53.110 align:middle line:90% and Nasty felt a surge of hope. 00:53:53.110 --> 00:53:55.640 align:middle line:90% It had to be Big Nasty. 00:53:55.640 --> 00:53:58.330 align:middle line:84% He heard the blow of wood and immediately felt Tiny slump 00:53:58.330 --> 00:53:59.890 align:middle line:90% against him, the punches weaken. 00:53:59.890 --> 00:54:02.410 align:middle line:84% He grabbed a new hold and was clear under the shirt now, 00:54:02.410 --> 00:54:04.780 align:middle line:90% working on bare skin. 00:54:04.780 --> 00:54:07.075 align:middle line:84% The wooden sound again, and Tiny slumped further. 00:54:07.075 --> 00:54:08.815 align:middle line:90% 'Leave go,' the woman screamed. 00:54:08.815 --> 00:54:10.690 align:middle line:84% And there were confused shouts. 'You bastard, 00:54:10.690 --> 00:54:13.540 align:middle line:90% let my husband alone.' 00:54:13.540 --> 00:54:15.670 align:middle line:84% Tiny put his hands down on Nasty's shoulders 00:54:15.670 --> 00:54:16.660 align:middle line:90% and pushed away. 00:54:16.660 --> 00:54:18.670 align:middle line:84% Nasty let go and fell back into the crowd. 00:54:18.670 --> 00:54:21.280 align:middle line:84% He felt other hands pushing him upright. 00:54:21.280 --> 00:54:23.890 align:middle line:84% His headache so bad he couldn't see straight. 00:54:23.890 --> 00:54:26.350 align:middle line:84% Big Nasty was there suddenly, crying, 00:54:26.350 --> 00:54:28.120 align:middle line:90% a patch over her bad eye. 00:54:28.120 --> 00:54:32.120 align:middle line:84% And Schultz, the bouncer, was talking loudly in German. 00:54:32.120 --> 00:54:33.010 align:middle line:90% Nasty focused. 00:54:33.010 --> 00:54:35.680 align:middle line:84% Tiny stood in the center of the crowd, tears streaming down 00:54:35.680 --> 00:54:36.430 align:middle line:90% his face. 00:54:36.430 --> 00:54:38.590 align:middle line:84% He ripped his shirt off in one movement, 00:54:38.590 --> 00:54:40.570 align:middle line:84% and the people in the bar murmured. 00:54:40.570 --> 00:54:43.420 align:middle line:84% Tiny's chest bled in five places. 00:54:43.420 --> 00:54:46.975 align:middle line:84% Nasty's teeth marks, angry circles, were everywhere. 00:54:46.975 --> 00:54:49.570 align:middle line:84% 'Look,' Tiny sobbed. 'Look what he done to me. 00:54:49.570 --> 00:54:51.640 align:middle line:90% The bastard ate me up.' 00:54:51.640 --> 00:54:52.810 align:middle line:90% He turned to show others. 00:54:52.810 --> 00:54:55.000 align:middle line:84% Schultz stood there, not certain of what to do next. 00:54:55.000 --> 00:54:57.400 align:middle line:84% 'Get him,' Tiny told Schultz. 'He started it. 00:54:57.400 --> 00:54:58.373 align:middle line:90% He should go to jail.' 00:54:58.373 --> 00:55:00.790 align:middle line:84% The blood streamed down his chest. 'I'll get you for this, 00:55:00.790 --> 00:55:02.410 align:middle line:90% Nasty.' 00:55:02.410 --> 00:55:04.780 align:middle line:84% Nasty squeezed his eyes shut, managed to summon 00:55:04.780 --> 00:55:06.520 align:middle line:90% enough strength to stand alone. 00:55:06.520 --> 00:55:08.050 align:middle line:90% 'You try it. 00:55:08.050 --> 00:55:09.610 align:middle line:90% You or the big kraut. 00:55:09.610 --> 00:55:10.870 align:middle line:90% I'll eat you both up. 00:55:10.870 --> 00:55:14.560 align:middle line:84% Won't be nothing but bones left, either one of you.' 00:55:14.560 --> 00:55:16.930 align:middle line:84% And then someone was wiping Tiny's chest with a towel. 00:55:16.930 --> 00:55:19.305 align:middle line:84% Schultz was complaining he couldn't get out of the corner 00:55:19.305 --> 00:55:20.980 align:middle line:84% because a man had pointed a gun at him. 00:55:20.980 --> 00:55:21.857 align:middle line:90% He'd find the man. 00:55:21.857 --> 00:55:23.440 align:middle line:84% Schultz was chewing on his fingernails 00:55:23.440 --> 00:55:25.750 align:middle line:84% looking like he would cry at any minute. 00:55:25.750 --> 00:55:28.270 align:middle line:84% Nasty saw Larry looking at him, and then felt 00:55:28.270 --> 00:55:30.070 align:middle line:90% himself start to black out. 00:55:30.070 --> 00:55:32.380 align:middle line:84% The last he remembered, the drunk police chief 00:55:32.380 --> 00:55:35.230 align:middle line:84% had come stumbling into the club, and said over and over, 00:55:35.230 --> 00:55:37.000 align:middle line:90% 'nobody leave. 00:55:37.000 --> 00:55:39.637 align:middle line:90% Nobody leave.' 00:55:39.637 --> 00:55:41.104 align:middle line:90% [LAUGHTER] 00:55:41.104 --> 00:55:42.571 align:middle line:90% [APPLAUSE] 00:55:42.571 --> 00:55:44.850 align:middle line:90% 00:55:44.850 --> 00:55:45.350 align:middle line:90% Thank you. 00:55:45.350 --> 00:55:53.695 align:middle line:90% 00:55:53.695 --> 00:55:55.070 align:middle line:84% So there's free cookies in there. 00:55:55.070 --> 00:55:57.820 align:middle line:90% [APPLAUSE] 00:55:57.820 --> 00:56:23.354 align:middle line:90%