Big Stone Gap

(STEAM WHISTLE SOUNDING)

AVE MARIA:
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.

(CROWD CHEERING)

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 VVeston's

stuff right for the first time.

Yeah, I'm gonna give you something

else if you don't leave me alone.

(DOGS BARKING)

Morning, Nan.

(CHUCKLES)

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.

(MUTTERS)

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.

(SCOFFS) 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.

(CHUCKLES)

Here, let me help you.

Here you go.

(EXCLAIMING)

Easy.

(CHUCKLES) 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.

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

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?

(CHUCKUNG)

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.

(LAUGHS)

You choose them,

they have talent.

I know this.

Oh, so, the box office.

You sell the tickets?

Noidea.

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.

(HOOTING)

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.

(SIGHS)

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. (CHUCKLES)

(HONKING)

Ave, let's go!

And do not

forget my costume!

(BOTH GASP)

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.

AVE MARIA:
I'm coming,

I'm coming!

THEODORE:
Costume looks

great, Mrs. Mulligan!

TAYLOE:
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.

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