Skip Waverly Stands Next to a Fifty-Year Bonfire

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSkip Waverly is at the Darvaza gas crater in Turkmenistan. Skip, what are you looking at?

2. 

   Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentHank, a hole in the desert that has been on fire since around nineteen seventy-one. Per Wikipedia.

3. 

   Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentThat is a long-running story, and I am on it.

4. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSince nineteen seventy-one.

5. 

   Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentFifty years, Hank. My eyebrows have been gone for about ten minutes, and I'm told that's a record for a visitor.

6. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWho told you that?

7. 

   Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentMy face. It's very warm, and it's speaking to me directly. Also, people call this place the Door to Hell, or the Gates of Hell.

8. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA door. And you are standing at it.

9. 

   Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentOn the doorstep, Hank. A reporter who gets this close to the Gates of Hell is ready for a desk. Just saying.

10. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThank you, Skip. How did this fire start?

11. 

    Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentGeologists set the gas on fire, expecting it to burn off within weeks. My shoes have a different plan. They've melted into the sand.

12. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWeeks.

13. 

    Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentWish you were here, Hank. My phone is only showing the time, and the time is hot.

14. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThey expected that fire to last weeks, Skip. So did I, about your trip.