GUEST: Actor Elya Baskin

Ike tells Homer that his father did him a big favor, transferring him from the machine shop.

“What are you talkin’ about?” asks Homer.

“I can make twice as much money down there working the high coal!” says Ike.

“You can?” asks Homer.

“I’ve got relatives in Europe who’ve had hard time recovering from the war,” explains Ike. “They depend on me for whatever I can provide. So I can use the extra money. I’m just sorry I won’t be able to weld any more rockets for you.”

Ike kisses the brass tag on the mining shift board, which keeps count of the miners down below.

“That’s for good luck,” says Ike.

“Maybe you could teach me how to weld,” says Homer.

“Welding is very difficult, Homer,” says Ike.

“I could learn,” pleads Homer.

Ike smiles. “You don’t give up, do you?” says Ike.

“I can’t,” says Homer. Ike gets on the elevator to the mine.

At Cape Coalwood, Mr. Bolden gets out of his car and helps his child out of the door.

Come on, son,” says Mr. Bolden.

“Hi, Mr. Bolden!” says Homer.

In This Episode

• Jake Gyllenhall as Homer Hickam
• Elya Baskin as Ike Bykovsky
• Randy Stripling as Mr. Bolden