The Tin Mine Page #6

Archin, didn't we just measure this section yesterday?

Yeah, but I've got to prove Lert's the wrong man for this job.

If he's finding less tin each week than John did,

I'll make sure everyone else knows it too.

I want this area completely clean, got it?

Clean it all. Take last night's diggings to the dredger first

then come to pick me up.

16 barrels, sir.

Is that all?

Oh sh*t!

What the hell are you doing?!

My compass fell in the water. I'm going in to get it!

Get up out of there!

You want to get yourself killed?

The engine is running and the drill pipe is right down there.

An elephant could get sucked down that hole!

Guys, stop the engine!

Can't seem to find it.

I remember that moment vividly

when Lert dove down to find the weapon

I'd planned to finish him with.

Those were the days when everything seemed baffling to me.

Though we were digging smaller amounts of tin each day,

Lert somehow managed to win over everyone's hearts.

You'd better wear this helmet instead.

It'll protect your thick skull more than that stocking cap.

Okay, let's exchange it.

Even the tough-hearted Kong began

to call our new foreman "Master Lert".

How many?

50. /50?

Double yesterday's haul!

I can't remember the last time my blood pressure was this low!

Hey, the ladder! The dredging ladder's snapped!

Stop the engine, stop the engine!

This is bad.

It was an accident none of us saw coming.

And as we waited for the reaction from the Penang office,

you could hear hopes beating heavy in every miner's heart.

I've received the reply from Penang.

"Close down the mine.

We're out of business."

Our Tin Mine was broken down and sold off for scrap.

The dredger-house became as empty as a giant metal coffin.

The office opened just a window or two each day

and eventually only the night watchman remained.

We'd all worked together for so many years,

only to have to go our separate ways again.

We were all wanderers once more.

We'll head for another mine in Surat

and wait for you there.

Ok, but I'm waiting for a certificate from the Boss.

Might take a few days.

Archin, even if you killed me,

I'd love you just the same.

Your work certificate must be better than the others.

I woke up that last morning at the Tin Mine...

... knowing I'd never see it again.

Can I have double-bitter coffee?

I've already packed up the coffee pot.

Chew on the coffee grounds then?

As a last token of his appreciation, Mr. Sam

bought me a plane ticket back to Bangkok.

Hey kid, guess I'll head off first.

Wearing only that?

I came here wearing only this.

Might as well go the way I came.

Besides, I'm proud of my uniform.

I wear it with honor.

So long.

Archin.

What?

Old Dang's right, you know.

We should always leave the way we came.

Maybe you should do like him.

When you showed up here you didn't owe me money.

How about clearing the tab before you go?

Here, take it all.

Thanks, kid.

I left the Tin Mine with the same thing in my pocket as I'd come with,

not a single baht.

Good luck!

The Tin Mine had become a memory of my precious past.

It would remain forever as a part of my inner life.

Hey, take a look.

Stop here for a minute.

I guess this is a good-bye.

Archin,

how much does it cost to get to Bangkok?

You've got plenty of time to think about that.

Bangkok's so far away. I'm not sure we'll ever make it all that way.

No longer would there be a "me" here.

Even my shadow followed me home to Bangkok.

My unfinished future seemed to have collapsed once again

just as I'd seen it do a time or two in the past.

In the four years I'd spent in the Tin Mine,

freshmen at regular universities would have graduated by now.

But I had no diploma to carry home from the Tin Mine.

Instead, my hand held something that could

never be taken away from me

from a school that few would ever know.

In 1953, Archin finally went home to Bangkok after 3 years and 11 months in the dredger.

In 1954, Archin's first "Tin Mine" short story

became a favorite with Thai readers.

In 1984, Archin's book of "Tin Mine" stories

totaled some 142 chapters.

In 1991, Archin was named a National Artist

by the Ministry of Culture of Thailand.

In 2005, "Tin Mine" was adapted into a film and caused

Archin and Kai to get to see each other again.

Where did you work after I left? / I worked for a company...

(Archin 77 years old / Kai 73 years old)

Tawee Brothers, right?

I know it. It's a big company in Phuket. / Right.

Give me a hand, I've gotten old.

You still have to take care of me at this age.

Let me take care of you.

I'm 77 now.

I'm seventy... /75, two years younger than me.

I'm 73!

Well, we've met again because of that book I wrote. / That's right.

Remember when you used to help me with the surveying gear? / Yes.

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