Narrator: DEEP IN THE ALASKAN WILDERNESS...
GOOD JOB, BUDDY.
Narrator: ...SIX MEN RISK IT ALL TO FIND GOLD.
TURN IT ON!
BUT AFTER 80 DAYS...
[ WHISTLES ]
...THE ROOKIE MINERS HAVE FOUND NOTHING BUT FAILURE...
[ CRYING ]
I'M JUST GONNA PACK MY CRAP AND GO HOME.
Narrator: ...FRUSTRATION... [ GRUNTING ]
Narrator: ...AND TRAGEDY.
SHE STOPPED BREATHING.
Narrator: NOW THEIR LUCK MAY FINALLY BE CHANGING.
THAT'S THE BIGGEST NUGGET SO FAR.
Man: LOOK AT THAT.
BUT IS IT TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE?
WE'RE BROKE.
IS THERE ENOUGH GOLD TO PAY THE BILLS...
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE LORD WOULD BRING US THIS FAR FOR NOTHING.
...STOP THE ARGUMENTS...
THREE MONTHS! WE DON'T HAVE ANY [BLEEP] MONEY!
YOU'LL LEARN TO SHUT YOUR [BLEEP] MOUTH!
...OR TO KEEP DORSEY FROM LEAVING THE CLAIM?
[ Crying ] WHEN MY KIDS SEE SOMEONE HITTING MY HUSBAND,
IT'S NOT OKAY.
EVERYTHING'S LOOKING REAL NICE.
WATER'S FLOWING GOOD.
ARE YOU READY? WANT TO SHAKE SOME DIRT?
THINK WE'LL TURN ON THE SHAKER.
Narrator: IT'S AUGUST IN PORCUPINE CREEK, ALASKA.
THE CREW HAS BEEN RUNNING THEIR GOLD-MINING WASH PLANT
FOR OVER A WEEK NOW.
STARTING TO FEEL GOOD, LIKE WE'RE JUST STARTING
TO FINALLY -- FINALLY GET IT GOING, YOU KNOW?
WE'RE ALL EXCITED.
WE NEED TO SHAKE SOME DIRT AND FIND SOME GOLD TODAY.
Narrator: SO FAR, THEY'VE PULLED OUT 1,000 YARDS OF GOLD-BEARING DIRT
WEIGHING OVER 1,500 TONS
FROM AN AREA THEY CALL THE GLORY HOLE.
THE GLORY HOLE HAS THE MOST GOLD IN IT.
AFTER RUNNING THIS MATERIAL THROUGH THEIR WASH PLANT,
THEY'VE ENDED UP WITH 30 BUCKETS OF BLACK SAND
MIXED WITH FINE GOLD.
GETTING THIS FAR HAS BEEN AN EPIC STRUGGLE.
THREE MONTHS AGO, THE SIX-MAN CREW
ABANDONED THEIR LIVES IN THE LOWER 48
TO FIND THEIR FORTUNES IN THE ALASKAN WILDERNESS.
[ GUNSHOT ]
THEY BUILT HOMES FOR THEIR FAMILIES
ON A CLAIM THAT THEY THINK HOLDS $15 MILLION WORTH OF GOLD.
ON THIS CLAIM, THERE'S GOLD.
SO FAR, TODD HOFFMAN AND HIS FATHER, JACK,
HAVE SPENT $250,000 ON PLANT AND RUNNING COSTS.
WE'RE BLEEDING BAD. MAYBE 1,000 BUCKS A DAY.
AFTER 80 DAYS OF BREAKDOWNS AND DELAYS,
THE HOFFMANS ARE ABOUT TO RUN OUT OF MONEY.
WE GOT TO TURN THIS BOAT AROUND.
Narrator: BUT THERE'S STILL HOPE.
THE CREW THINKS THERE COULD BE $50,000 OF GOLD
IN THE BLACK SAND,
AND MIKE HALSTEAD'S ARRIVED WITH A MACHINE
TO CASH IN ON THE GOLD.
HEY, BUDDY. YOU MADE IT! HEY!
YOU LIKE THIS BABY RIGHT HERE?
DUDE, A WAVE TABLE. YEAH.
LET'S GO. HEY.
THIS IS DROP-DEAD PERFECT.
WAVE TABLES ARE DESIGNED TO SPEED UP THE RECOVERY
OF GOLD FROM BLACK SAND.
Halstead: WE'LL SEE AFTER WE GET IT RUNNING.
IT'LL HAVE A LINE OF GOLD, JUST AS BEAUTIFUL AS CAN BE,
AND THEN IT ALL DROPS RIGHT IN THAT HOLE.
AND IF YOU GET GOLD AND BLACK SAND,
THEN YOU RUN THAT ONE MORE TIME,
AND THEN YOU GET ALMOST PURE GOLD.
SO WE COULD ACTUALLY TAKE ALL THE STUFF COMING OUT OF THE JIG
AND RUN IT RIGHT ON HERE?
RIGHT THROUGH HERE. COOL.
Narrator: THE WAVE TABLE VIBRATES OVER 300 TIMES PER MINUTE,
CREATING A SERIES OF STANDING WAVES.
THE TURBULENCE OF THE WATER
WASHES THE DIRT DOWN THE TABLE TOWARDS THE WASTE OUTLET.
THE GOLD SEPARATES FROM THE SAND AS THE TABLE VIBRATES
AND MOVES UP TOWARDS THE TOP, WHERE IT FORMS INTO A BAND.
ALMOST. HANG ON.
Todd: ALL THESE YEARS THESE PIONEERS HAVE MINED OUT HERE,
THEY DIDN'T HAVE LITTLE GADGETS, LITTLE TRICKS, LIKE THIS.
SO, YOU KNOW, I MEAN,
THEY'D GET JUST TONS AND TONS OF BLACK SAND,
AND IT WAS JUST SO HARD GETTING THE GOLD OUT OF THE BLACK SAND.
PROBABLY 4 1/2 INCHES UP.
Jack: THE OTHER OPTION THAT WE HAD
WAS TO SIT THERE AND PAN EVERYTHING WE HAVE,
AND I'VE DONE THAT BEFORE,
AND LET ME TELL YOU, THAT IS ONE TIME-CONSUMING DEAL.
Narrator: FOR THE TABLE TO RUN RIGHT,
IT MUST BE SET AT THE CORRECT ANGLE.
Jack: HOW'S THE LEVEL?
YEAH, IT LOOKS PERFECT TO ME.
REALTOR JIMMY DORSEY HAS BEEN READING UP
ON HOW TO RUN THE WAVE TABLE.
WE'RE TRYING TO DIAL THIS IN
SO WE CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE BLACK SAND SEPARATE FROM THE REST.
WELL, WE COULD TRY IT STEEPER.
TRY IT STEEPER, YEAH.
LET'S GO STEEPER, SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
UP!
KEEP GOING. I'M WATCHING IT.
Jack: START IT UP!
HIT THE BUMPER.
TOO HARD. I THINK THAT'S WORKING JUST GREAT.
WHAT THE?
SOMETHING IS GOING WRONG HERE.
Man: YEAH, JACK PUT SUDS IN IT.
WE HAVE GOT TO GET THIS GOING.
WE GOT TO GET SOME GOLD FLOWING THROUGH HERE.
IT'D TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF BIG-TIME.
THIS LOOKS LIKE A KID'S TOY, BUT IT'S NOT.
IT'S A VERY SOPHISTICATED PIECE OF MACHINERY.
I'VE READ THE MANUAL TWICE.
I THINK I KIND OF HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW IT WORKS.
I THINK WE CAN GET IT GOING.
Narrator: BESIDES WHAT'S IN THE BUCKETS,
THERE SHOULD ALSO BE GOLD TRAPPED IN THE WASH PLANT,
SO TODD AND JACK STOP THE PLANT FOR A CLEANOUT.
SHUT IT OFF! ARE YOU OKAY?
THEY HAVE NO MONEY LEFT AND HAVE TO CASH IN
ALL THE GOLD THEY'VE PULLED FROM THE GLORY HOLE.
JUST TO KEEP RUNNING FOR THE NEXT WEEK,
THEY NEED 4 OUNCES OF GOLD, WORTH $5,000.
THIS IS WHEN WE FIND OUT WHAT GOLD WE GOT
OR IF WE HAVE ANY GOLD.
YOU KNOW, IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE,
BUT I'D LIKE TO BE DOING CLEANOUTS
WHERE WE HAVE $60,000 IN THEM.
FIRST OFF, WE GOT TO CLEAN OUT JACK'S NUGGET TRAP -- THURBER.
STEP NUMBER TWO IS WE OUGHT TO GET THE MINER'S MOSS
OFF OF THE BIG SLUICE.
YOU WANT TO DO THAT, CHRIS?
DORSEY'S THE ONLY MINER WHO HAS READ THE WAVE-TABLE MANUAL.
YOU KNOW, I'M GONNA HAVE DORSEY DO IT.
HE UNDERSTANDS IT. YOU'RE MY GUY.
I'M DEPENDING ON YOU.
ARE YOU READY?
LET'S GO GET OUR GOLD, MAN.
LET'S DO IT.
ALL RIGHT. LET'S GO.
Narrator: THE CREW NOW DEPENDS ON DORSEY,
A DOWN-ON-HIS-LUCK REALTOR,
TO FIGURE OUT THE WAVE TABLE, EXTRACT THE GOLD,
AND SAVE THE MINE.
EACH OUNCE OF GOLD THAT DORSEY GETS FROM THE BUCKETS
WILL FUND THE OPERATION FOR A DAY AND A HALF.
THE DECISION TO GO WITH DORSEY IS NOT A POPULAR ONE.
Harness: IT'S A LITTLE SCARY FOR ME,
AND I THINK EVERYONE ELSE IS CONCERNED.
HE'S GOT A TRACK RECORD
OF NOT REALLY MAKING THINGS WORK RIGHT.
Narrator: DORSEY HAS STRUGGLED FROM DAY ONE.
THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS MISTAKES...
GO PUT IT IN YOURSELF! YOU TOOK IT OUT!
BOTTOM LINE -- NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
Narrator: ...ARGUMENTS...
DON'T TALK TO ME THAT WAY. DON'T TRY AND INTIMIDATE ME.
...AND HE'S EVEN THREATENED TO WALK OUT.
AND IF YOU KEEP TALKING TO ME LIKE THAT,
I'LL BE GOING HOME.
Jimmy: I'VE BEEN STRUGGLING UP HERE FOR TWO OR THREE MONTHS,
TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, WHAT CAN I DO?
WHAT KIND OF SKILLS CAN I BRING TO THE TABLE?
AND IT'S KIND OF FUNNY. THE WAVE TABLE.
I THOUGHT, "HERE'S MY OPPORTUNITY.
I'M GONNA READ THE MANUAL, YOU KNOW, READ BOOKS.
I'M GONNA TRY TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY HOW IT WORKS,
AND I'M GONNA KEEP US FROM LOSING ANY MONEY.
Narrator: DORSEY STARTS BY RUNNING TESTS TO CALIBRATE THE MACHINE.
Jimmy: I JUST WANT TO START FRESH. I WANT TO CLEAN THE THING OFF.
OH, SHOOT! THERE'S STUFF COMING ON THE GROUND.
GOSH DARN IT! CAREFUL! CAREFUL!
LET'S USE THAT LINE. DUDE!
STOP, STOP. DUDE, STOP.
HOLY CRAP, DUDE.
LOOK AT THIS. THIS IS ALL GOLD.
THIS IS ALL GOLD, DAD.
THAT IS ALL FREAKIN' GOLD. WHERE DID THIS COME FROM?
THERE'S OVER AN OUNCE RIGHT HERE.
DON'T WORRY. WE'RE GONNA CAPTURE IT.
YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING UNDERNEATH THIS.
DON'T WASH UP HERE.
I SAW AT LEAST AN OUNCE, MAYBE TWO.
WE GOT TO BE CAREFUL.
Narrator: THE PRICE OF GOLD IS AT $1,300 AN OUNCE --
AN ALL-TIME HIGH.
ONLY 4 OUNCES, WORTH OVER $5,000,
WOULD KEEP THE MINE AFLOAT FOR A WEEK.
THEY SIMPLY CAN'T AFFORD TO LET ANY GOLD WASH AWAY.
THERE'S A LOT OF GOLD ON THAT WAVE TABLE, IT LOOKS LIKE.
I KNOW WE GOT SOME GOLD, GREG.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH,
BUT LUCKILY WE DIDN'T GET IT POURED ON THE GROUND.
GOOD THING YOU WALKED IN.
ONLY A LITTLE BIT.
IT'S NOT A GREAT START FOR DORSEY.
BUT I DIDN'T REALIZE WITH THE TEST SANDS THAT WE WERE USING
THAT THEY HAD THAT MUCH GOLD IN THEM.
EVERYONE'S GOT TO START SOMEWHERE.
Narrator: WHILE DORSEY RESETS THE TABLE, TODD GOES OVER HIS PLANS
TO RECOVER GOLD FROM THE WASH PLANT.
THE FIRST THING WE'RE GONNA DO IS JACK'S NUGGET TRAP.
WE'RE GONNA SCOOP THAT OUT, AND I'LL SHOW YOU WHERE THAT IS.
THE HEAVIER GOLD IS ACTUALLY COMING DOWN THIS CHUTE LIKE THIS
AND THEN HITTING JACK'S NUGGET TRAP RIGHT HERE.
WE'LL DIG THIS OUT AND PUT IT IN A BUCKET.
SIMPLE.
THIS IS THE SECOND STEP,
IS TAKING THIS EXPANDED METAL OUT.
AND UNDERNEATH THERE,
THERE'S, LIKE, A CARPET MATERIAL,
AND IT'S CALLED MINER'S MOSS.
WE'RE GONNA TAKE THAT CARPET, ROLL IT UP,
AND WASH IT OUT REAL GOOD.
STEP NUMBER THREE IS THE JIG.
AND WE'RE GONNA VACUUM OUT THE TOP OF THE JIG.
Narrator: EVERYONE'S FUTURE AT PORCUPINE CREEK
RESTS ON A SUCCESSFUL CLEANOUT.
PEOPLE LOOKING AT ME LIKE,
"WHOA, WHAT THE HECK DID YOU JUST GET US INTO?"
SO, WE'LL FIND OUT.
Narrator: UP AHEAD,
DORSEY TRIES TO PROVE HIS WORTH ON THE WAVE TABLE...
Harness: YOU'RE BOGGING IT DOWN WITH TOO MUCH WEIGHT.
DUDE, YOU'RE BOGGING IT DOWN BECAUSE OF YOUR ANGLE.
...TODD FACES A HARSH REALITY...
GUYS, WE'RE OUT OF MONEY.
...THURBER SNAPS...
YOU AND I, YOU WANT TO DO IT? WE'LL [BLEEP] DO IT,
AND THEN YOU'LL LEARN TO SHUT YOUR [BLEEP] MOUTH!
...AND IT'S THE END OF THE ROAD FOR THE DORSEYS.
[ Crying ] WHEN MY KIDS SEE SOMEONE HITTING MY HUSBAND,
IT'S NOT OKAY.
Narrator: AT PORCUPINE CREEK,
TODD HOFFMAN NEEDS TO CASH IN GOLD TO SAVE THE MINE.
OKAY. THIS IS WHEN WE FIND OUT WHAT GOLD WE GOT
OR IF WE HAVE ANY GOLD.
LET'S GO GET OUR GOLD, MAN.
ALL RIGHT. LET'S GO.
Narrator: THE HOFFMANS' $100,000 OPERATING BUDGET HAS RUN OUT.
THIS IS WHERE THE RUBBER HITS THE ROAD -- RIGHT HERE.
Narrator: TO KEEP MINING,
THEY NEED TO CASH IN AT LEAST 4 OUNCES OF GOLD,
WORTH OVER $5,000.
THEIR HOPE LIES IN 30 BUCKETS OF GOLD-BEARING BLACK SAND
THAT COULD BE WORTH UP TO $50,000.
DORSEY'S VOLUNTEERED TO EXTRACT THE GOLD ON THE WAVE TABLE.
YEAH, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO PUTTING GOLD INTO THE TABLE.
Narrator: THE REST OF THE CREW IS CLEANING OUT
GOLD-BEARING MATERIAL FROM THE WASH PLANT
TO TAKE TO DORSEY.
THIS IS THE DUPLEX JIG,
AND THIS IS WHERE THE BALL BEARINGS
AND THE GRAVELS ARE -- UP IN THIS SECTION RIGHT HERE.
CARPENTER CHRIS DOUMIT IS HELPING OUT.
I'M PULLING OUT THE MOSS, MINER'S MOSS,
DOWN HERE AND UP ABOVE.
Narrator: FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS,
CHRIS HAS HELPED GREG REMSBURG BUILD HIS HOUSE ON THE CLAIM.
NOW, WITH THE FUTURE OF THE MINE AT STAKE,
HE'S BEEN RECRUITED FOR THE CLEANOUT.
WE'RE GONNA TAKE THIS TO A TRAY WE HAVE UP HERE
WITH SOAPY WATER IN IT
TO HELP RELEASE ALL THE GOLD.
THEY CALL IT MINER'S MOSS, THE RUG, THE CARPET.
I THINK IT'S KIND OF LIKE THE MAGIC CARPET.
I THINK WITH WHAT THIS THING HOLDS,
IT COULD TAKE YOU FOR A RIDE, YOU KNOW?
A NICE RIDE.
WHAT THEY'LL DO NOW IS THEY'LL RUN THIS ACROSS THE TABLE
AND SEPARATE IT OUT INSTEAD OF PANNING IT
BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO.
Narrator: THE CREW PLANS TO PROCESS ALL THE MATERIAL FROM THE CLEANOUT
ON THE WAVE TABLE.
DORSEY ADJUSTS THE HEIGHT TO GET IT JUST RIGHT.
Jimmy: THERE'S A LOT RIDING ON ME AND THIS WAVE TABLE TODAY.
I'LL TAKE THE BLAME IF IT DOESN'T RUN RIGHT
'CAUSE I'M SUPPOSED TO BE THE GUY WHO KNOWS ABOUT IT.
Narrator: WITH BUCKETS OF MATERIAL PILING UP...
THIS THING WEIGHS A TON. MUST BE FULL OF GOLD.
Narrator: ...JACK CHECKS TO MAKE SURE DORSEY IS DOING HIS JOB.
ALL RIGHT. GO AHEAD. CRANK HER UP.
CAN WE TURN THIS DOWN JUST A LITTLE BIT?
ALL RIGHT.
THROUGH THIS TABLE RIGHT NOW.
EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE RAN IS GOING THROUGH.
WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND GET OUR GOLD.
IT'S CLAIMING NICE. IT'S LOOKING GOOD.
WE GOT A NICE BLACK-SAND LAYER COMING RIGHT HERE.
TO PROPERLY EXTRACT GOLD FROM THE DIRT,
THE ANGLE OF THE TABLE NEEDS TO BE PERFECT.
IF IT'S TOO FLAT, THE MIX WON'T SEPARATE.
IF IT'S TOO STEEP,
PRECIOUS GOLD WILL BE FLUSHED AWAY WITH THE WASTE.
GET THE ANGLE JUST RIGHT,
AND A LINE OF GOLD APPEARS AT THE TOP OF THE TABLE.
THOSE WAVES LOOK PRETTY GOOD.
OH, YEAH. SEE THAT?
BUT JACK SPOTS A PROBLEM.
IT AIN'T WORKING.
THERE GOES A PIECE RIGHT THERE.
SEE IT? LOOK AT IT.
IT'S FLOATING.
THAT'S A BIG PIECE.
DORSEY COULD BE FLUSHING THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
THEY DESPERATELY NEED DOWN THE DRAIN.
Jack: YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHERE THIS CAME FROM.
IT'S ONE OF OUR BIGGER PIECES.
DORSEY WAS SCOOPING STUFF OFF THE WAVE TABLE
AND HUCKING IT ON THE FLOOR IN HERE.
AND I HATE BLAMING SOMEBODY, BUT THAT'S WHO DID IT, YOU KNOW?
IT'S A NICE PIECE OF GOLD.
Narrator: AS THE FIRST DAY OF THE CLEANOUT ENDS,
THEY HAVE NO GOLD.
THE CREW NOW FACES SOME GUT-WRENCHING CUTS.
IT COSTS THE HOFFMANS $100 A DAY
TO FEED THE FAMILIES AT THE CLAIM.
TODD AND JACK CALL A MEETING
TO DELIVER EVEN MORE BAD NEWS.
Todd: GUYS, WE'RE OUT OF MONEY.
I FEEL LIKE I'VE KIND OF LET EVERYBODY DOWN,
BUT I PUT EVERYTHING I GOT INTO THIS, ME AND JACK.
AND WE NEED ABOUT 10,000 BUCKS BY FRIDAY.
AND AFTER THAT, WE MAY HAVE TO SEND THE FAMILIES HOME.
I WON'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYBODY.
Narrator: THE MINERS NOW NEED TO FIND 8 OUNCES OF GOLD,
WORTH APPROXIMATELY $10,000, IN THE NEXT DAY
OR THE FAMILIES WILL BE FORCED TO GO HOME TO OREGON.
I DON'T SEE HOW SENDING THESE GUYS HOME
WOULD MAKE A BIT OF DIFFERENCE.
BASICALLY, WE'RE BROKE.
WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GET HOME.
I MEAN, WE HAVE TO MAKE THIS WORK.
IT'S JUST A SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS,
BUT, LISTEN, WE GOT TO GET THAT GOLD.
WE'RE PREPARED TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES
TO STAY HERE AND MAKE THIS THING GO.
WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO GO BACK TO, EITHER.
DAD, DO YOU WANT TO SAY A PRAYER?
Jack: HEAVENLY FATHER, I JUST ASK
THAT YOU WOULD BE WITH US THIS EVENING
AND, LORD, THAT YOU WOULD JUST RICHLY BLESS US WITH GOLD.
AND WE PRAY THIS IN YOUR NAME. AMEN.
Narrator: IT'S TAKEN A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS
AND MONTHS OF HARDSHIP TO GET TO THIS POINT.
IT'D BE ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE IF MY FAMILY HAD TO LEAVE.
I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE IT.
Narrator: NOW EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON DORSEY
GETTING A SHOT GLASS FULL OF GOLD FROM THE WAVE TABLE.
I'M WILLING TO DO WHATEVER I CAN, WHATEVER IT TAKES.
OH, MY GOSH!
Narrator: 6:00 A.M. ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE CLEANOUT.
I'M GONNA SUCK UP THIS MATERIAL.
THEN I CAN THROW IT ON A WAVE TABLE.
Narrator: TODD AND HIS CREW NEED TO FIND 8 OUNCES OF GOLD,
WORTH $10,000, BEFORE SUNSET
OR THE MINERS' FAMILIES WILL HAVE TO HEAD HOME TO OREGON.
I HAVE TO STAY STRONG.
IT'S A MOMENT-BY-MOMENT PROCESS FOR ME. THAT'S FOR SURE.
TODD'S WORKING THE DUPLEX JIG,
WHERE HE HOPES GOLD IS TRAPPED AMONG THE BALL BEARINGS.
OKAY. I'M STARTING TO GET TO THE BALL BEARINGS.
YOU CAN SEE THEM LAYING DOWN IN HERE.
I DON'T SEE ANY GOLD YET.
OH! THAT'S LIKE 80 POUNDS!
Narrator: MIKE AND CHRIS WASH THE 200 POUNDS OF BALL BEARINGS
FROM THE JIG TO REMOVE ANY GOLD.
NOW WE HAVE TO CLEAN ALL THE BALL BEARINGS
AND THEN SEPARATE THEM.
IF THERE'S ANY GOLD IN THIS,
IT'S GONNA FALL RIGHT DOWN TO THE BOTTOM.
AT THE WAVE TABLE,
BUCKET AFTER BUCKET ARRIVE TO HAVE THE GOLD EXTRACTED.
BUT BEFORE THEY RUN THEM,
JACK WANTS TO MAKE SOME MODIFICATIONS.
I'VE BEEN...
I'VE BEEN NOT SO HAPPY WITH THIS WAVE TABLE.
FINALLY FIGURED OUT WHAT'S GOING ON.
IT'S JUST A PAIN IN THE BUTT, AND THE ANGLE'S WRONG.
JACK'S ASKED THE CREW'S MECHANIC, JAMES HARNESS,
TO COME UP WITH AN EASY WAY TO CHANGE THE TABLE'S ANGLE.
I'M BUILDING A FRAME TO GO UNDER THE CONCRETE,
WE'RE GONNA USE A FLOOR JACK
TO MAKE IT GO UP AND DOWN QUICKLY
SO WE DON'T HAVE TO UNDO ANY NUTS AND BOLTS,
AND IT'LL BE THE BEST POSSIBLE SCENARIO.
OKAY, SO, ALL WE HAVE TO DO NOW
IS JUST PUT A LITTLE PIECE UNDERNEATH HERE.
TURN IT ON. WATCH YOUR FINGERS.
SEE, THAT'S DOING PRETTY GOOD, I THINK.
I'M HAPPY WITH THAT.
Narrator: JACK LEAVES THE TABLE RUNNING TO TEST OUT THE MODIFICATION.
IF THEY'VE SET THE ANGLE CORRECTLY,
A LINE OF GOLD SHOULD FORM AT THE TOP OF THE TABLE.
DORSEY ARRIVES TO RUN THE TABLE
AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICES THE CHANGES.
SEE WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THEY RAISED IT UP?
HOW IS IT SUPPOSED TO WORK WHEN THEY RAISE IT UP LIKE THIS?
IT'S JUST SETTING IT UP FOR FAILURE.
WHY DON'T WE LOWER IT DOWN BY THE JACK?
THEY'RE SETTING ME UP FOR FAILURE EVERY DAY,
AND THAT'S WHAT I [BLEEP] ABOUT, MAN.
YEAH. SO, WHY DON'T YOU LOWER IT SOME?
HUH? THEY DON'T -- LOWER IT?
LOWER THE JACK.
YOU SAID THEY GOT IT UP TOO HIGH?
WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
NO, I NEED IT UP HIGHER.
WELL, THEN JACK THE DAMN THING UP.
WHEN I SAY IT NEEDS TO BE 6 INCHES,
I MEAN IT NEEDS TO BE 6 INCHES. I'M CONFIDENT IN THAT.
Narrator: HARNESS COMES BACK
TO DISCOVER DORSEY'S CHANGED THE ANGLE.
WITH NO GOLD SHOWING, THEY SHUT DOWN THE TABLE.
YOU'RE AT AN EXTREME ANGLE RIGHT NOW.
EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THIS ANGLE IS GONNA BENEFIT YOU
AND HOW MUCH GOLD IS ACTUALLY GONNA GO OUT.
WELL, BECAUSE IT'S ALASKAN BLACK SAND AND IT'S VERY HEAVY,
NO MATTER WHAT, IT NEEDS TO BE AT LEAST 6 INCHES HIGH
TO BE ABLE TO SEPARATE GOLD FROM BLACK SAND.
I KNOW DORSEY KNOWS MORE ABOUT THIS THAN I DO.
I DON'T GIVE A CRAP, YOU KNOW? I DON'T CARE.
THAT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING TO ME, YOU KNOW?
MY GOAL IS TO GET THE GOLD.
Narrator: WITH LESS THAN HALF A DAY TO COME UP WITH $10,000 IN GOLD,
JACK AND HARNESS TAKE OVER THE TABLE
AND RE-ADJUST THE ANGLE.
DORSEY HAS LOST HIS JOB AGAIN.
YOU KNOW WHAT?
I DIDN'T COME UP HERE AND SPEND ALL THIS TIME
FOR HAVING SOMEBODY ELSE TELL ME WHAT TO DO.
WHEN IT COMES TO THIS STUFF, I'M THE BOSS.
Narrator: JIMMY DORSEY IS AT HIS WIT'S END.
Jimmy: MR. HOFFMAN WANTS TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE HEIGHTH OF IT.
RIGHT NOW, IT'S LIKE IF DORSEY TOUCHES IT --
AND, I MEAN, I WORK HARD ON STUFF.
I PUT THINGS TOGETHER,
AND THEN THEY WANT TO TEAR IT APART AND DO IT THEIR WAY.
I'M LIKE, "WHY AM I DOING THIS?"
WELL, THEY CAN DO WHAT THEY WANT WITH THE STUPID THING.
I HATE THAT [BLEEP] TABLE, ANYWAY.
Narrator: NEARBY, JIM THURBER CLEANS OUT THE DUPLEX JIG.
HEY, JIM, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
Thurber: EMPTYING ALL THIS ROCK OUT OF HERE.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING? NOTHING.
WELL, I KNOW. THERE'S A LOT TO DO,
A LOT OF CLEANUP TO DO.
THERE'S ALL KINDS OF STUFF TO DO.
IS THERE A LOT TO DO?
I WAS SUPPOSED TO RUN THE TABLE TODAY.
DIG IN AND DO SOMETHING.
THAT'S THE PROBLEM.
I WANT TO CLEAN OUT AND SEE IF WE ACTUALLY MAKE ANY MONEY.
IS THERE A REASON FOR US TO BE HERE?
WE HAVE A WAVE TABLE. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?
I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, BUT, YOU KNOW...
WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT
IS I'M TRYING TO MAKE YOU UNDERSTAND, EVERYONE.
LET'S JUST WORK ON WHAT WE GOT, AND LET'S GET IT GOING.
AND WHO'S WORKING ON IT RIGHT NOW?
WATCH ME WORK FASTER THAN ANYONE ELSE.
YEAH, TOTALLY ASS-BACKWARDS.
DUDE, YOU'RE [BLEEP] PSYCHOTIC.
I AM!
'CAUSE I'VE BEEN HERE FOR THREE MONTHS!
WE DON'T HAVE ANY [BLEEP] MONEY!
DUDE, YOU WANT TO GO? WE'LL [BLEEP] GO.
YOU AND I, YOU WANT TO DO IT?
WE'LL [BLEEP] DO IT,
AND THEN YOU'LL LEARN TO SHUT YOUR [BLEEP] MOUTH
AND MAKE SOME SENSE COME OUT OF IT!
I'M NOT GONNA PUT UP WITH IT. THESE GUYS ARE.
JUST STOP IT.
YOU'RE GONNA DRIVE YOURSELF [BLEEP] NUTS.
I AM GOING NUTS!
OKAY. STOP. HEY!
COME ON. LET'S GO FOR A DRIVE.
NO, DUDE, I DON'T WANT TO GO FOR A DRIVE.
LET'S GO. YOU AND ME.
WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING A CLEANOUT THIS MORNING.
COME ON. WHAT'S YOUR DAD DOING?
WHY IS HE MESSING WITH THE PLATFORM?
IT'S, LIKE, WHAT ARE WE DOING?
OBVIOUSLY -- HERE'S THE DEAL.
I NEED YOU TO CALM DOWN, OKAY?
CAN YOU RE-ENGAGE?
YEP.
HEY. HEY.
YOU NEED A HUG? NO, I DON'T NEED A HUG.
COME HERE.
I DON'T NEED A HUG. THANKS, BUD.
DUDE.
OH, HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW CLOSE HE WAS
TO SOMEONE FINALLY COMING TO A HEAD
AND LETTING HIM HAVE IT,
WHICH, YOU KNOW...
THAT FIRST PUNCH IS THE ONLY ONE THAT FEELS GOOD.
YOU KNOW?
I BROKE A LOT OF KNUCKLES WITH MY FACE.
NOT A TOUGH GUY, BUT IT'S UGLY.
BUT RIGHT THERE. THAT'S --
THIS IS WHAT'S CAUSING ALL THE PROBLEM RIGHT HERE.
THIS STUFF RIGHT HERE -- THE GOLD.
EVERYONE THAT'S EVER WORKED HERE FOR THIS STUFF RIGHT HERE,
THIS FLAKE...
IN PORCUPINE, THEY ENDED UP JUST GOING ABSOLUTELY NUTS.
WHAT ARE YOU SEEING, TODD?
I'M SEEING PYRITE. REALLY?
Narrator: TODD AND HIS CREW ARE HALFWAY THROUGH A CLEANOUT
TO RECOVER 8 OUNCES OF GOLD FROM THEIR MINE.
THEY NEED $10,000 IN GOLD BY THE END OF THE DAY,
OR THE MINERS' FAMILIES WILL HAVE TO LEAVE.
HOLY CRAP! LOOK AT THAT.
THAT'S THE BIGGEST ONE WE GOT YET.
[ LAUGHING ]
YEAH.
THAT'S A GOLD NUGGET, BUDDY.
THAT'S THE BIGGEST NUGGET SO FAR.
JIM THURBER IS ALSO FINDING GOLD.
Thurber: A LITTLE PIECE OF GOLD
JUST SITTING RIGHT THERE ON THE SLUICE.
IF IT'S ALL LIKE THIS, IT'LL BE GOOD.
Narrator: THESE NUGGETS ARE WORTH AROUND $20 EACH.
[ GLASS CLINKS ]
OHH, THAT JUST SOUNDS SO GOOD.
Narrator: BUT THE TEAM NEEDS ANOTHER 500 OF THESE TODAY
TO KEEP THE FAMILIES FROM BEING SENT HOME.
WE'RE ANXIOUS. WE KNOW THAT TONIGHT'S A SPECIAL NIGHT FOR SURE,
AND OUR FAMILY DOESN'T HAVE THE CASH TO GET HOME.
Narrator: IF THE MINERS AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE ANY CHANCE
OF HITTING THEIR $10,000 GOAL,
IT WILL BE BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE WAVE TABLE UP AND RUNNING.
HARNESS TOOK OVER THE JOB FROM DORSEY,
BUT NOW DORSEY WANTS HIS JOB BACK.
HI, JACK.
WELL, I'M AWARE THAT I'VE ANNOYED YOU THIS MORNING.
I'M SORRY. I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO.
YOU KNOW, I'VE -- I'VE INVESTED A LOT OF MONEY,
A LOT OF TIME, AND I KNOW YOU HAVE, TOO.
BUT YOUR ATTITUDE -- YOU'VE GOT TO QUIT,
YOU KNOW, THIS ROLLER-COASTER ATTITUDE.
IT JUST -- IT NEEDS TO SETTLE DOWN,
YOU KNOW, AND IT WON'T TAKE MUCH, YOU KNOW?
YOU'RE A GOOD GUY. I KNOW YOU ARE, YOU KNOW?
I KNOW YOU.
SO, YOU KNOW... IT'S JUST HARD.
WE'VE BEEN HERE FOR THREE MONTHS,
AND I HAVEN'T MADE ANY MONEY.
AND I -- YOU KNOW, I WANT TO SEE THAT CLEANOUT, YOU KNOW?
I KNOW THAT THAT TABLE IS KIND OF YOUR BABY,
YOU KNOW, AND THAT'S FINE AND DANDY,
BUT THAT TABLE IS GONNA RUN THE WAY THAT I LIKE IT TO RUN.
I'M JUST TRYING TO PROVE MYSELF TO BE WORTHY OF --
YOU DON'T HAVE TO PROVE YOURSELF TO ANYBODY.
I WANT YOU TO BE A TEAM PLAYER. THAT'S ALL.
ARE YOU GONNA BE A TEAM PLAYER?
YEAH.
I HOPE SO, YOU KNOW, 'CAUSE THIS IS --
THIS IS DROP-DEAD TIME, YOU KNOW?
WE EITHER MAKE IT OR BREAK IT IN OUR CLEANOUT.
I NEED YOU THERE.
DORSEY RETURNS TO WORK AT THE WAVE TABLE WITH JAMES,
BUT JACK'S GOT AN ULTIMATUM.
HERE'S THE DEAL.
PUT IT TO THE ANGLE THAT YOU'D LIKE.
FEED IT SOME MORE MATERIAL.
I'LL PAN UNDER HERE.
IF THERE'S ANY MORE GOLD, THIS SUCKER GOES BYE-BYE.
JACK WILL GET RID OF THE WAVE TABLE
UNLESS DORSEY CAN GET IT TO SEPARATE THEIR GOLD
FROM THE BLACK ALASKAN SAND.
YOU SET IT UP HOWEVER YOU WANT. I'LL HELP YOU.
THIS IS DORSEY'S LAST CHANCE
TO PROVE THAT HE'S A VALUABLE MEMBER OF THE CREW.
THE PRESSURE IS GETTING TO HIM.
YOU CANNOT PULL IT OFF OF HERE.
I KNOW.
IT'S IN PRODUCTION MODE. YOU CANNOT DO THIS AND PULL.
I CAN'T TALK TO YOU IF YOU'RE GONNA TALK.
IF YOU WANT TO HEAR WHAT I HAVE TO SAY, I'LL TALK TO YOU.
DO YOU WANT TO HEAR IT OR NOT?
IF YOU DON'T LOSE YOUR NEGATIVE ATTITUDE, I'M LEAVING.
WELL, LET'S -- LET'S LET IT GO NOW, 'CAUSE I GUARANTEE YOU
WE'RE NOT GONNA GET IT WORKING THE WAY IT IS.
I JUST GUARANTEE IT.
I'D PUT A COUPLE THOUSAND DOLLARS --
I'D PUT A MILLION BUCKS ON IT.
YOU'RE NOT GONNA GET IT RIGHT.
TIME IS UP FOR DORSEY.
JACK SAMPLES THE SAND THAT THE WAVE TABLE IS DISCARDING.
Jack: I'M GONNA TAKE ALL THIS STUFF AND PAN IT.
IF THERE'S ANY GOLD IN JACK'S PAN,
THE WAVE TABLE WILL BE DEEMED WORTHLESS.
IT'S -- IT'S NOT A GOOD DEAL.
THIS IS WHAT THE MACHINE IS SUPPOSED TO BE CATCHING.
THIS IS WHAT IT'S NOT CATCHING.
THAT'S -- THAT'S SOME SERIOUS GOLD.
IT'S WORTH ABOUT $400 OR $500 RIGHT THERE.
THAT'S SERIOUS STUFF.
THIS IS NOT FUNNY.
I THINK THE GUY IS GONNA GET IT BACK.
LOOKED PRETTY, IT'S YELLOW AND BLUE,
YOU KNOW, AND ALL THAT, BUT IT DOESN'T FREAKIN' WORK.
THAT THING IS GETTING TAKEN OUT HERE
AND RAN OVER WITH THE DOZER.
LOOK AT THIS.
OH, SHOOT.
I'M GONNA LOOK AT THE BOTTOM.
I TOLD YOU THIS THING IS JUST -- IT AIN'T WORTH IT.
WE'RE LOSING. IT'S JUST NOT WORKING.
IT IS JUST NOT WORTH THE POWDER TO BLOW IT TO HELL.
Narrator: AT THE HOFFMANS' CLAIM IN REMOTE ALASKA,
JACK HAS ABANDONED THE WAVE TABLE.
I'M JUST TOTALLY DISCOURAGED
WITH THAT WAVE TABLE.
"IRRITATED" IS A KIND WORD
FOR WHAT I REALLY THINK ABOUT IT.
Narrator: THE CREW HAS SIX HOURS LEFT
TO FIND $10,000 WORTH OF GOLD.
IF THEY FAIL, THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD
TO KEEP THE FAMILIES AT THE CLAIM.
I'LL GET OUR GOLD ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
THIS ISN'T EXACTLY THE WAY WE PLANNED IT OUT.
Narrator: JACK COMES UP WITH A RADICAL NEW PLAN.
WE HAVE TO PAN IT.
THERE IS NO IFS, ANDS, OR BUTS ABOUT IT.
WE HAVE TO PAN.
WAVE TABLE IS THE BIGGEST PIECE OF CRAP
I'VE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
I HATE THAT THING WITH A PASSION NOW.
IT'S WASTED SO MUCH TIME, CAUSED SO MUCH BITTERNESS,
YOU KNOW, BETWEEN DORSEY AND US.
Narrator: JACK CALLS EVERYONE TOGETHER.
Jack: I NEED YOUR HELP.
WE'RE SO FAR BEHIND.
THAT WAVE TABLE LET US DOWN.
WE'VE GOT TO PAN ALL OF THIS STUFF,
AND WATCH WHAT I DO.
GOLD IS 18 TIMES HEAVIER THAN WATER, OKAY,
SO IT WILL SETTLE,
BUT YOU GOT TO GET IT LOOSENED UP.
Sandy: BUT, JACK, IS THERE A CERTAIN RHYTHM?
IS THERE A CERTAIN MOTION?
IS IT SHAKING? IS IT SLOSHING?
YOU COULD BE DOING LIKE THIS.
IT DOESN'T MATTER, YOU KNOW? THAT'S A NICE ACTION.
I AM SO GLAD THAT YOU GUYS ARE GONNA HELP US, YOU KNOW?
IT'S JUST UNBELIEVABLE,
THE AMOUNT THAT WE HAVE TO DO.
Narrator: THEY'VE GOT 30 BUCKETS TO PAN.
EVEN WITH THE WHOLE CAMP JOINING IN, IT'S A TALL ORDER.
I WANT A GREAT BIG PAN FULL OF NUGGETS.
WE GOT TO DO WHAT WE GOT TO DO, AND WE'RE GONNA DO IT TOGETHER.
Narrator: TO GET TO $10,000,
EACH PERSON HAS TO COME UP WITH OVER 1/3 OF AN OUNCE OF GOLD.
I AM DAUNTED BY THIS BECAUSE I'M HAVING A HARD TIME
GETTING THE RIGHT RHYTHM.
AND THIS IS, LIKE, REALLY IMPORTANT,
'CAUSE, WELL, OUR HANDS AND PANS ARE ALL WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.
IF WE DON'T GET THE CLEANOUT WE NEED
AND MY FAMILY'S GOT TO GO HOME EARLY,
IT'S GONNA BE REAL TOUGH.
Narrator: AS THE DAY DRAWS TO A CLOSE,
TODD'S DEADLINE APPROACHES.
IF THEY DON'T END UP WITH 8 OUNCES OF GOLD, WORTH $10,000,
THE FAMILIES WILL HAVE TO PACK UP.
A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SACRIFICED TO GET TO THIS POINT --
HEY, ME INCLUDED.
IF I DON'T GET GOLD, I'M GOING BACK HOME WITH NOTHING.
IT'S ALWAYS GONNA BE NICE
IF WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT TURNOUT HERE
AND HAVE SOMETHING TO SHOW FOR IT.
Todd: SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK, MAN? DID WE GET GOLD OR NOT?
Man: I THINK WE DID PRETTY GOOD. IT'S HARD TO SAY.
WE'LL JUST HAVE TO FIND OUT.
Narrator: JIMMY DORSEY SKIPS THE MEETING
AND HEADS BACK TO HIS CABIN.
WE'RE NOT LIVING UP TO OUR POTENTIAL.
THE POTENTIAL HERE
IS ALL OF US COULD MAKE A GOOD LIVING GOLD-MINING,
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER,
AND GO HOME WITH PILES OF CASH IN OUR POCKET.
I AM TOTALLY GOING...
I'M COMING APART UP HERE.
Narrator: ALONE IN THE WAVE-TABLE TENT,
JACK MAKES THE FINAL COUNT.
Todd: HERE WE GO. WE'RE GONNA FIND OUT RIGHT NOW.
I CAN TELL BY THE WAY HE'S WALKING THIS AIN'T GOOD.
I CAN SEE.
THAT'S THE TOTAL TAKE RIGHT HERE.
2.7 OUNCES.
IF YOU STOP AND THINK ABOUT IT, WE'VE WORKED THREE MONTHS,
AND IT'S A LITTLE DISHEARTENING.
I KNOW THAT EVERYBODY'S IN A DESPERATE SITUATION.
TO ME, IT'S A REAL LETDOWN.
Narrator: THE 2.7 OUNCES OF GOLD THEY FOUND IN THE CLEANOUT
IS WORTH ONLY $3,500 --
OVER $6,000 SHORT OF WHAT TODD NEEDS
TO KEEP THE FAMILIES AT THE CLAIM.
[ Voice breaking ] I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE LORD
WOULD BRING US THIS FAR AND PROVIDE EVERY PROVISION
FOR US TO GET HERE TO THIS VERY DAY FOR NOTHING.
THE FAMILIES MUST LEAVE PORCUPINE CREEK.
I KNOW DOWN DEEP IT'S HURTFUL
AND THAT A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND STUFF ARE BUBBLING UP.
WE ALL HAD HIGH HOPES FOR THIS -- FOR THIS CLEANOUT,
AND SO [SIGHS] YOU KNOW,
WITH HIGH EXPECTATIONS COME DISAPPOINTMENT.
BUT WE CAN'T GO BACKWARDS,
SO WE MOVE FORWARD AND WE GO FOR THE --
WE GO FOR THE DEEP GOAL.
Todd: MY PART OF THIS IS TO KEEP THE --
KEEP THE WHEELS TURNING,
AND THAT'S A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY.
BUT I'M NOT GONNA LET US GET THIS CLOSE AND NOT CONTINUE.
Narrator: THE NEXT MORNING,
GREG REMSBURG'S FAMILY HEADS HOME TO OREGON.
LOVE YOU SO MUCH. I LOVE YOU, TOO.
I'M SO PROUD OF YOU.
[ Crying ] GO GET ON THE BOAT.
YOU KNOW, I HAVE AN INCREDIBLE WIFE AND INCREDIBLE KIDS,
[ SNIFFLES ]
AND, YOU KNOW, I JUST LOADED MY GOLD ON THIS SHIP,
AND I'VE GOT TO DO WHAT I'VE GOT TO DO HERE.
I'VE GOT TO DIVE IN AND KICK SOME BUTT.
[ HORN BLARES ]
[ SNIFFLES ]
[ SIGHS ]
[ SNIFFLES ]
Narrator: WITH TENSION ON THE CLAIM AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH,
CHAOS HAS BROKEN OUT.
Greg: THERE'S A PSYCHO ON THE LOOSE.
I'M GOING TO THE POLICE STATION.
Narrator: SPEEDING DOWN THE DIRT ROAD RIGHT BEHIND GREG REMSBURG
ARE JIMMY DORSEY AND HIS FAMILY.
HE HIT HIM FIRST, AND WE'RE GOING TO THE POLICE FIRST.
Greg: DORSEY AND I HAVE HAD A DISAGREEMENT.
IT'S TIME FOR THE DRAMA TO STOP.
I WAS MAD. YEAH, I WAS YELLING AT HIM.
I WAS LIKE, "DUDE, WHO ARE YOU
TO TRY AND TALK TO ME LIKE THAT?!"
I SAID, "YOU KNOW WHAT?
I'M NOT TAKING CRAP FROM YOU ANYMORE."
THEN HE STARTED PUTTING HIS FINGER IN, AND HE GOES --
HE SAYS, "DO YOU WANT TO FIGHT? DO YOU WANT TO FIGHT?" AND JIMMY SAYS, "NO."
HE PUT HIS HANDS ON ME, AND IT WENT FROM THERE.
[ Crying ] WHEN MY KIDS SEE SOMEONE HITTING MY HUSBAND,
IT'S NOT OKAY.
WE'LL NOT PUT UP WITH IT,
AND WE ARE DEFINITELY NOT EVER COMING BACK HERE
BESIDES TO COME BACK AND GET OUR STUFF.
Greg: I DON'T LIKE IT.
I DON'T LIKE WHAT I HAVE TO DO RIGHT NOW.
Narrator: GREG GETS TO THE POLICE STATION FIRST
TO REPORT THE INCIDENT.
THAT'S HIS CAR RIGHT THERE.
THE DORSEYS AREN'T FAR BEHIND.
COME ON, GUYS. DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.
Girl: MAMA! WE'RE GOING INSIDE.
COME ON, SWEETIE.
I BET GREG'S HERE.
Narrator: AT THE CLAIM,
TODD WAS WORKING ON THE EXCAVATOR
WHEN THE FIGHT BROKE OUT.
I SAW GREG STANDING THERE WITH HIS HANDS IN HIS POCKET.
AND THEN I SEE JIMMY JUST SCREAMING,
WITH HIS ARMS LIKE THIS, RIGHT IN GREG'S FACE.
YOU KNOW, "RRARRR!" YOU KNOW, AND I'M LIKE...
SO I STARTED GETTING OFF THE EXCAVATOR
TO TRY TO GO OVER THERE AND SEE WHAT'S UP.
THEN THEY WALKED BEHIND THE DUMP TRUCK,
AND THEN, OBVIOUSLY, A SCUFFLE,
SO I BROKE THEM UP, BROKE THEM UP.
THE SITUATION -- IT'S JUST NOT GOOD.
Greg: NOT A WHOLE LOT THAT THEY CAN DO.
JIMMY'S JUST GIVING HIS STATEMENT,
OR HIS SIDE OF THE STORY, RIGHT NOW.
WHEN WE GOT HERE,
GREG WAS IN THERE, DOING HIS PART.
ARE YOU ALL RIGHT, HONEY?
I'M HEADING BACK TO THE MINE.
Jimmy: IT'S JUST HARD TO BREATHE STILL.
MY FINGER IS ALL SWOLLEN.
HE GRABBED MY FINGER, TWISTED IT AROUND LIKE THAT.
Man: THAT'S WHERE HE HIT YOU, ISN'T IT?
YEAH.
HE'S JUST BRUISED UP.
LUCKILY THERE'S NOTHING BROKEN, SO THAT'S GOOD NEWS.
Narrator: BACK AT THE CLAIM,
TODD USES THE SATELLITE PHONE TO CALL DORSEY.
HELLO?
DUDE, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?
I'M BRUISED UP, MAN.
HURTS TO BREATHE.
WELL...
I NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET YOUR STUFF TO YOU TONIGHT.
I NEED TO GET YOUR PERMISSION TO, YOU KNOW...
I DON'T THINK IT'D BE GOOD FOR YOU TO COME BACK.
I'M NOT COMING BACK. WHAT DO YOU THINK, DUDE?
Look, I'm going back to get my stuff.
BUT, NO, I'M NOT GIVING YOU PERMISSION TO GET MY STUFF.
I'M GONNA COME UP AND GET IT, AND IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL.
So, I'll see you up there.
BYE.
HE'S COMING TO GET HIS STUFF.
[ SIGHS ]
I'VE GIVEN TODD HOFFMAN FIVE MONTHS OF MY LIFE,
AND HE'S LET ME DOWN IN EVERY WAY.
THERE'S NO GOLD, THERE'S NO PROMISE, THERE'S NO...
THERE'S NOTHING.
HE HASN'T GIVEN ME ANYTHING.
Narrator: DORSEY AND FAMILY HEAD BACK TO THE MINE
TO PICK UP THEIR STUFF.
Todd: I WANT THE BEST FOR HIM,
BUT...
I'M NOT GONNA TAKE ANY MAJOR ABUSE, EITHER.
I MEAN, IF HE TOUCHES ME, IT'S NOT GONNA BE GOOD.
Narrator: WITH JUST 2.7 OUNCES OF GOLD
FOR NEARLY THREE MONTHS' WORK,
THE FAMILIES GONE, AND FIGHTS BREAKING OUT,
THE MINERS ARE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING.
APPARENTLY, DORSEY IS GONNA COME BACK
AND GET A BUNCH OF STUFF.
I DON'T WANT THE WRONG STUFF TO LEAVE.
DON'T REALLY TRUST THE GUY IF HE'S NOT THINKING RIGHT.
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT THEY'LL DO.
Jack: HOW YOU DOING? HOW YOU FEELING?
HE GOT UP IN MY FACE, AND TODAY I DIDN'T BACK DOWN.
I WASN'T LETTING HIM INTIMIDATE ME TODAY.
YOU KNOW, HE PUT HIS FINGER IN MY CHEST,
AND I PUT MY FINGER RIGHT BACK IN HIS CHEST
AND WAS LIKE, "DUDE, BACK OFF."
HMM.
HEY...
MY TRUCK'S EMPTY,
SO IF YOU NEED MORE SPACE AND STUFF LIKE THAT...
I JUST NEED SOME TIME. HUH?
I JUST NEED SOME TIME TO PUT IT ALL TOGETHER.
OKAY, WELL, IT'S THERE.
Narrator: THE DORSEYS SANK EVERYTHING THEY HAD
INTO THEIR DREAM OF STRIKING IT RICH IN ALASKA.
NOW THEY LEAVE PORCUPINE CREEK WITH NO GOLD
AND NO HOME TO GO BACK TO.
Todd: HE DID HIS BEST, YOU KNOW?
Harness: I DON'T THINK SO.
I THINK HE DID LESS THAN WHAT HE COULD'VE.
WELL...
EITHER WAY, HE'S GONE.
HE LOST IT, YEAH.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS