Big Stone Gap

Fixed and sync by tomyboy96

When I was a girl and we drove past the coal mines,

it looked like a story book to me.

It seemed an army of men

was doing something so important

it could change the world.

That's when Mama would say,

"Every time you light a lamp to read,"

"you can thank a coal miner."

I was born and raised in the hills of Virginia

when coal was king.

Life was simple in Big Stone Gap.

You went to Zackie's for your jeans,

you went to Gilley's for your engagement ring.

And you went to my family drugstore when you were sick.

On Friday nights you rooted for the Vikings,

and after the game,

you went for burgers at Carmine's to celebrate,

because we never lost.

Every year we put on The Trail of the Lonesome Pine,

the story of a mountain girl and the mining engineer who loved her.

You either acted a part or played in the band

or worked behind the scenes, like me.

One year was a lot like the last,

and before I knew it,

it was 1978 and I turned 40.

Almost overnight,

I was the old maid in Big Stone Gap.

It seemed like happiness was for other people.

Morning, beautiful.

I don't know why you're honking the horn,

I'm standing out here black as night, I know you can see me.

Oh, good, you got Miss Weston's stuff right for the first time.

Yeah, I'm gonna give you something else if you don't leave me alone.

Morning, Nan.

Cherry pie was just wonderful. Thank you.

It was rhubarb.

Them last ones you brought over here blocked me up.

Doc Daugherty swears these won't.

You just need to take them with some buttermilk in your stomach.

I got coffee on. Biscuits and gravy.

Well, I can't stay. I've got two more hollers to hit.

Oh, come on. One cup won't keep you.

Jeepers Christmas, Jack!

Put some clothes on.

Yes, ma'am.

Morning, Jack. Morning.

You'll have to excuse my son.

He was out till all hours last night with that Sweet Sue Tinsley.

That ain't a girl built for heavy lifting.

Woman has a man around doesn't have to do a lot of heavy lifting.

Well, I don't know what he's thinking.

Sure you do. Sweet Sue Tinsley?

Come on. She's a catch.

Prettiest girl in high school.

She made a bikini in Home-Ec and it won the blue ribbon.

Modeled it in front of Assembly.

Brought half the crowd to their feet at least.

I'll bet.

Beat the heck out of my apron.

Well, she's a flaunter, all right.

And she's got a big mess over there with that divorce and all them kids.

You ever want you some young'uns?

No, it's not gonna happen for me.

It is never too late.

My own mamaw was an old maid, too.

Almost 43 when she had my daddy.

She had a baby one week,

then done went into the change the next.

Anything can happen.

What are y'all whispering about?

Ooh, I got to scoot.

Eula Belcher's all seized up

and in dire need of her muscle relaxers.

Oh... See her out, Son. All right.

Thank you very much and that's all right, I'll see myself out.

No, no. Best not to argue with Mama.

Here, let me help you.

Here you go.

Easy.

You have very soft hands for a coal miner.

No, I got calluses.

That's how I follow the seams in the rock to the coal.

Hey, hold on!

Come here, I want to show you something.

Like my new truck?

1978 Ford pickup.

Four-wheeler, fully loaded.

Right fancy.

Nobody ever accused me of being fancy.

It's a pickup, not a Caddy.

Hey. You going to the party on opening night?

Of course I am. Theodore's taking me.

Are you ever gonna marry him?

You been talking to Fleeta?

Just one of the girls, ain't you?

I always took you for the strong, silent type.

You ain't scared of them strays, are ya?

No.

Who are you afraid of?

Howdy, Mama!

Did you eat?

Oh, not a bite all day.

Oh, I pack up a dinner for you.

Who has got time to eat?

The whole town is a-flutter with our final dress rehearsal.

Oh, you know, I cast everybody from here to Keokee

whether they have talent or are lacking.

You choose them, they have talent.

I know this.

Oh, so, the box office. You sell the tickets?

No idea.

Whole town's in the dang thing.

There's nobody left to set for it.

Johnny Wood, he made the announcement on the radio,

WCYB.

Well, I have to say that the poster in the pharmacy window is gorgeous

and we did manage to paper Scott, Dickenson and Lee Counties.

That'll bring 'em in some.

I know this.

You're gonna get a good crowd.

I work you too hard. You're exhausted.

You need to sleep.

Don't worry about me, carissima.

Dr. Daugherty said the new pills, they work.

I'm sewing the last seam on the last costume.

Ave, let's go!

And do not forget my costume!

Oh, Aspetta.

Theodore's costume. Thank you.

"And I shall rise on the third day."

Come... Ave, where are you? Let's go!

You are the director! You cannot be late!

Oh, aspetta! Tayloe! Tayloe's costume!

Say "break a leg," just like a professional. Break a leg.

I'm coming, I'm coming!

Costume looks great, Mrs. Mulligan!

This is The Trail of the Lonesome Pine,

and my name is June Tolliver.

I left here a poor mountain girl,

and have returned...

I have returned...

A lady? A lady.

I don't fit in.

All right, just stop. My teeth hurt.

Tayloe, learn your lines!

All right. Yes. Everybody, thank you so very much!

Will you please leave your costumes on the rack?

Hey y'all! We're officially sold out for opening night!

Where's Spec?

Right here.

This is bigger than a four alarm fire!

I need you real bad, Spec.

We're full up!

Order another keg.

Consider it done, Iva Lou.

Long as I get the first dance.

You're the sexiest librarian in four counties, Iva Lou!

Okay, Sweet Sue, you're on.

Come down the aisle. Up.

Up. Up.

Lam going over to Carmine's for a burger. You want to come?

Uh, not right now.

I have to run lines with the star.

Uh, I know my lines.

Good job on the timing of that cue. Thank you.

And I do suspect that little Penny Coomer has a crush on you.

You're it!

Appears she's already over me, ma'am.

Jack, honey!

I swear, sometimes we make music

like we belong in the Grand Ole Opry.

Hardly puts me in the mind of Minnie Pearl, you displaying that leotard.

Why, thank you.

Okay, Pearl. I don't care if everybody goes home naked...

Ave. I need you to come here.

You need to come with me.

You gotta get Duke McMillan.

I'm staying late. He knows CPR.

Darling, it's not a Rescue Squad run. It's your mama.

Come on.

No one worries about you like your mother.

And when she's gone, the world seems unsafe.

You can't turn to her anymore and it changes your life

forever.

Hey, Miss Ave. You probably don't remember me,

but my name's Bobby Dinsmore from over on Skeens Ridge.

Well, sure I do.

I used to play the sax in the band. Mmm-hmm.

Your mama made me this here uniform,

'cause they didn't have one big enough to fit me at the factory.

I bet you nobody knew it was homemade.

Well, it still looks right nice on you, Mr. Bobby.

All of you look right pretty, as a matter of fact.

Since our almighty God has called our sister, Fiammetta Onicelli Mulligan

from this life, to himself,

we commit her body to the earth from which it came.

Give her eternal rest, O Lord,

and may your light shine on her forever.

Don't cry, Fleets.