The Chronicles of a 21st Century Coal Miner.

Excerpt from The Chronicles of a 21st Century Coal Miner: 


    “Sly, you believe in hate at first sight?” Squirrel was inquisitive as his shovel struck the coal gob.

    “Hm?” I was perplexed at what he was going to say next.

    “You see that ignert sum bitch right yonder? I’ve hated that sum bitch since I first saw him,” Squirrel danced his cap light off the safety reflectors on someone’s uniform in the distance as he spoke.

    “He is a dumbass,” Flash agreed with him.

    “Why, Lord yes. Got that big ass nose too. Could shelter a damn cigarette from a thunderstorm,” Squirrel kept seething over the man as he continued shoveling the coal.

    “Sly you got a big ol' huffer too,” Flash directed his criticism at me now.  

    “—uhm,” I stammered.

    “Tolley has that V-12 intake huffer,” Squirrel joked, cracking a smile at his own wit. “Sly got that V-8.” 

    I didn't know what to say, I barely knew these guys and didn't want to volley back an insult. Instead, I heaved my shoulders high and let out a small grunt. I knew I had a big nose, but I didn't need them badgerin' me over it.

    "Sly, you ever seen a rib stretcher before?" Squirrel looked at me with a twinkle in his eye. I knew by now this meant he was up to something ornery. 

    "Nope," I looked down at the ground as I responded. Didn't want to know what a rib stretcher was, no ways. Sounded dreadful, whatever it may be. 

    "It goes from right y'ere, to right y'ere. Rib to rib," Squirrel shone his caplight on the coal seam on either side of the mine; the ribs as they were called. "Flash, take this buck up yonder to the #4 belthead, so he can fetch us some few."

    Flash groaned. He didn't want to play in whatever game Squirrel was stirrin' up. 

    "You reckon we ought to shovel this coal first?" I stole a glance at Squirrel before looking yonways at the coal gob that littered the belt line for the next several hundred yards. 

    "A god damn redhat that actually wants to work?!" Squirrel beamed. "You'd be the first," Squirrel let out with a chuckle before pulling a can of Red Seal smokeless tobacco out of his pocket and proceeding to polish the lid of the can on the breast pocket of his uniform, as if to clean the lid of any dust. 

    "Well--"

    "--yeah lets shovel some coal," Flash cut me off, but we were both headed for the same resolution. There would be no rib stretchin' in the near-term, and I was perfectly fine with that.


The Chronicles of a 21st Century Coal Miner releases June 3, 2026. 





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