GUEST: Gayle Conelly Manchin, Appalachian Regional Commission

Link to Appalachian Regional Commission

John Hickam is talking to Homer about what happened to Ike Bykovsky.

“Listen to me, Homer,” says John. “Last month, I gave Ike the chance to go back to the machine shop, and he turned it down.”

Homer looks surprised.

“Yeah, he stayed in the mine ’cause the money was better,” says John. “That was his decision. You understand me?”

“Yes, sir,” replies Homer. There’s a pause.

“Well, is mining coal as terrible as you figured it’d be?” asks John.

“I guess not,” says Homer, who then smiles. “But almost!” John laughs.

A coal train passes over a trestle.

Later, it’s lunchtime at ths mine. Homer is eating lunch with the rest of the Rocket Boys.

“Everybody says to say -” begins O’Dell.

In This Episode

• Jake Gyllenhall as Homer Hickam
• William Lee Scott as Roy Lee
• Chris Owen as Quentin
• Chad Lindberg as O'Dell
• Chris Cooper as John Hickam