So down we went until the lift stopped at the bottom of the shaft. Out into the gloomy light of the mine.

“Round to our left” my companion said. “We have to go down another couple of levels, in that train. Incidentally my name is Phill.”

I turned left, saying “I’m Richard.”

The train was a bit like one of those you see on a fairground as a roller coaster. But this train had only one way to go … down.

So we climbed into two empty seats.

Ahead, the line went down.

How far down?

I had no idea.

Drabble published July 12, 2023 16:49

Neville Hunt 10 months ago

If it had been me, I think that claustrophobia and heatstroke would have kicked in a kilometre or more up the initial lift shaft! So well played you, Richard!
Neville Hunt 10 months ago

I suddenly remembered the song. ‘Working in the coal mine, goin’ down, down, down..’ Made famous by Lee Dorsey, but made acceptable to me by Devo (Are we not men?... We are Devo!)
Christopher 10 months ago

I love Devo as well. But I grew up listening to the Lee Dorsey version. My mom said I used to sing that when I was about 3 years old. I thought about that when I read the first coal mine drabble but I didn't know if that song was a hit over there so I didn't mention it.
Richard Hunt 10 months ago

It wasn’t in any way a claustrophobic feeling, the tunnels are quite wide 9 - 10 metres (30 feet) wide. As to singing … read on.

Working in a coal mine - 3