General Motors On Safari [SA] 65-04-30 0001 Francis McComber

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – "General Motors On Safari [SA] 65-04-30 0001 Francis McComber"

Title: General Motors On Safari [SA] 65-04-30 0001 Francis McComber
Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
Release Date: March 7, 2025
Description: This episode delves into a dramatized adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's classic short story, "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber." Set against the backdrop of a thrilling African safari, the narrative explores themes of courage, marital strife, and the raw forces of nature.

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Introduction to the Safari Adventure

The episode opens with the charismatic host, Frank Lauderdale, introducing the series "General Motors on Safari," which aims to bring listeners the essence of the African bush through a blend of dramatized fact, fiction, and documentary storytelling. Frank sets the stage for an adventurous tale filled with excitement and danger, narrated by his experience as a hunter and game warden.

Frank Lauderdale [00:34]:
"General Motors on Safari. Here is adventure, excitement and danger. ... ex hunter and game warden, Frank Lauderdale."

---

Character Introduction and Initial Dynamics

Francis Macomber and his wife Margot are introduced as wealthy Americans embarking on a safari in Kenya, accompanied by their guide, Robert Wilson. The couple is portrayed as outwardly happy, yet underlying tensions hint at marital discord. Margot is described as a great beauty whose allure isn't strong enough to sustain her marriage solely on its merits.

Narrator [01:44]:
"Francis and Margot Macomber were wealthy Americans who were known as a comparatively happily married couple. Disruption was often rumored about their marriage, but it never happened."

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First Hunting Expedition: The Lion's Roar

The safari begins early in the morning. Francis awakens to the distant roar of a lion, which unsettles him despite his role as a hunter. The tension between his desire to kill the lion and his apparent cowardice becomes evident.

Francis Macomber [03:28]:
"I didn't think his roaring would carry that far. It sounds as though he were right in camp."

Robert Wilson [04:05]:
"Here comes a mim shop."

As the group prepares to hunt, Margot encourages Francis to overcome his nervousness. The interaction reveals Margot's complex feelings—her support juxtaposed with subtle manipulation.

Margot Macomber [04:19]:
"Are we going after that lion?"
Francis Macomber [04:53]:
"Yes, but I'm nervous."

The hunt progresses with Robert Wilson guiding Francis on how to effectively kill the lion. Francis's inexperience is palpable as he hesitates, leading to a tense moment where he ultimately shoots the lion.

Francis Macomber [07:07]:
"I hit him. I hit him twice. I heard the bullets."

Margot celebrates Francis's success, highlighting a temporary uplift in his confidence.

Margot Macomber [11:21]:
"That was fabulous. I saw the whole thing. ... the beautifully red-faced Mr. Robert Wilson."

---

Rising Tensions and Second Hunting Expedition

Despite the initial success, underlying tensions bubble to the surface. Margot's admiration for Robert Wilson grows, while Francis grapples with his newfound courage and lingering insecurities.

Francis Macomber [14:02]:
"I. I'd like to. I'm just scared."

Late-night disturbances and Francis's nightmares about the lion foreshadow impending conflict. The couple's strained communication intensifies, revealing deep-seated issues in their relationship.

Margot Macomber [17:32]:
"I just went out to get a breath of air."
Francis Macomber [17:43]:
"You're a coward."

The morning after, tensions reach a breaking point during breakfast as accusations fly. Margot openly confronts Francis about his cowardice, while Francis expresses frustration over their deteriorating relationship.

Francis Macomber [18:17]:
"Where have you been?"
Margot Macomber [18:43]:
"Please, darling."

---

The Climax: Tragedy Strikes

As the safari continues, another hunt for buffalo begins. The group's dynamics are strained, with Margot showing overt interest in Robert Wilson's hunting prowess. In a moment of chaos and heightened emotions, Margot inadvertently shoots Francis.

Robert Wilson [22:16]:
"Chances are he's dead."
Francis Macomber [22:05]:
"I feel absolutely different."

The climactic moment unfolds rapidly:

Francis Macomber [22:49]:
"Looking forward to it."
Narrator [22:59]:
"Mrs. Macomber had shot at the Buffalo with the 6.5m as it seemed about to go on a comber. And she'd hit her husband at the base of his skull."

Margot's realization of what has transpired sets off a chain of reactions, as Robert Wilson tries to maintain composure amidst the tragedy.

Robert Wilson [24:08]:
"I'm through now. I've begun to like your husband."
Margot Macomber [24:25]:
"Stop it."

---

Conclusion: Aftermath and Reflections

The episode concludes with the aftermath of the tragic event. The characters are left grappling with the consequences of their actions amidst the serene yet unforgiving African wilderness. The narration ties back to the complexities of human emotions and relationships against the backdrop of nature's indifference.

Frank Lauderdale [24:49]:
"Join us again next week for another story of the African bush belt. It might be fact, it might be fiction."

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Frank Lauderdale [00:34]:
  "General Motors on Safari. Here is adventure, excitement and danger."

• Robert Wilson [04:05]:
  "Here comes a mim shop."

• Margot Macomber [11:21]:
  "That was fabulous. I saw the whole thing. ... the beautifully red-faced Mr. Robert Wilson."

• Francis Macomber [22:05]:
  "I feel absolutely different."

• Robert Wilson [24:08]:
  "I'm through now. I've begun to like your husband."

---

Themes and Insights

Courage and Cowardice:
Francis Macomber's journey from fear to fleeting bravery highlights the fragile nature of courage and the personal battles individuals face when confronting their insecurities.

Marital Strife and Manipulation:
The relationship between Francis and Margot reveals the complexities of marriage, where external adventures can both mask and exacerbate internal conflicts.

Nature's Indifference:
The African wilderness serves as a stark backdrop, emphasizing nature's impartiality amid human drama and tragedy.

Consequences of Actions:
Margot's accidental shooting of Francis underscores the unintended repercussions of one's actions, especially under emotional duress.

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Conclusion

This episode of "General Motors On Safari" masterfully adapts Hemingway's nuanced narrative into a compelling audio drama. Through vivid storytelling, rich character development, and poignant dialogue, listeners are transported into the heart of the African bush, experiencing the thrills and heartaches alongside the characters. The inclusion of notable quotes with precise timestamps enriches the listening experience, offering depth and authenticity to the dramatization.

Whether a long-time fan of Old Time Radio or a newcomer, this episode provides a captivating glimpse into human nature and the timeless allure of adventure.

Transcript

[Styles Mackenzie]

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[Robert Wilson]

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[Frank Lauderdale]

General Motors on Safari. Here is adventure, excitement and danger. General Motors and their dealer organization throughout Southern Africa are proud to present the first broadcast of a brilliant new series of programs bringing you the African Bushvelt of today and yesterday in dramatized fact, fiction and true life documentary. General Motors on Safari. And here is your storyteller, ex hunter and game warden, Frank Lauderdale.

[Narrator]

Thank you and good evening. Tonight I bring you a classic story by that great American writer, Ernest Hemingway. It's a story of cowardice and the excitement of a bravery newfound. It's a story of death, too. Although it's fiction, the events in the story are very true to life. I know you'll enjoy it. It's called the Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber. Francis and Margot Macomber were wealthy Americans who were known as a comparatively happily married couple. Disruption was often rumored about their marriage, but it never happened. And as the society columnist put it, they were adding a spice of adventure to their romance by a safari in darkest Africa. Margot Macomber had been a great beauty. But she was not a great enough beauty to be able to leave her husband. And she knew it and he knew it. Besides, he had too much money. They'd employed Robert Wilson to take them on safari in the bush of Kenya.

[Francis Macomber]

Morning.

[Robert Wilson]

Morning. I was just going to send the boy to wake you.

[Francis Macomber]

I've been awake for some time. What you got there?

[Robert Wilson]

Kippers and coffee. Sounds like an old timer.

[Francis Macomber]

How can you tell?

[Robert Wilson]

From the way he's been coughing.

[Francis Macomber]

Yes, it was the coughing that woke me. Made him seem just outside the tent. Is he very close?

[Robert Wilson]

Mile or so upstream.

[Francis Macomber]

Will we see him?

[Robert Wilson]

We'll have a look.

[Francis Macomber]

I didn't think his roaring would carry that far. It sounds as though he were right in camp.

[Robert Wilson]

Carries a hell of a long way. Strange. I hope he's a shootable cat. The boy said there was a very big one about here.

[Francis Macomber]

If I get a shot, where should I hit him to stop him?

[Robert Wilson]

In the shoulders. In the neck? If he can make it, shoot for the bone. Break him down.

[Francis Macomber]

I Hope I can place it properly.

[Robert Wilson]

Oh, you should. Very well. Take your time. Make sure of him. And the first one in is the one that counts.

[Francis Macomber]

What range will it be?

[Robert Wilson]

Can't tell. Lion has something to say about that. Don't shoot unless it's close enough so that you can make sure.

[Francis Macomber]

At under a hundred yards.

[Robert Wilson]

Hundreds about. Right. Might have to take him a bit under. Shouldn't chance a shot at much over there. 100 is a decent range. You can hit him wherever you want to then. Oh, here comes a mim shop.

[Margot Macomber]

Morning. Are we going after that lion?

[Robert Wilson]

As soon as you deal with your breakfast. How are you feeling?

[Margot Macomber]

Marvelous. And very excited.

[Robert Wilson]

Well, I'll just go and see that everything's ready. Noisy beggar. We'll soon put a stop to that.

[Margot Macomber]

What's the matter, Francis?

[Francis Macomber]

Nothing.

[Margot Macomber]

Yes, there is. What are you upset about?

[Francis Macomber]

Nothing.

[Margot Macomber]

Tell me, don't you feel well?

[Francis Macomber]

Is that roaring? It's been going on all night, you know.

[Margot Macomber]

Why didn't you wake me? I'd love to have heard it.

[Francis Macomber]

I've got to kill it.

[Margot Macomber]

Well, that's what you're out here for, isn't it?

[Francis Macomber]

Yes, but I'm nervous. Hearing the thing roar gets on my nerves.

[Margot Macomber]

Well, then, as Wilson said, kill him and stop his roaring.

[Francis Macomber]

Yes, darling, it sounds easy, doesn't it?

[Margot Macomber]

You're not afraid, are you?

[Francis Macomber]

Of course not. I'm nervous from hearing his roar all night.

[Margot Macomber]

You'll kill him marvelously. I know you will. And I'm awfully anxious to eat your breakfast.

[Francis Macomber]

And we'll be starting.

[Margot Macomber]

Oh, it's not light yet. This is a ridiculous hour. Sounds almost here.

[Francis Macomber]

I hate that noise.

[Margot Macomber]

It's very impressive.

[Robert Wilson]

Impressive?

[Francis Macomber]

It's frightful.

[Robert Wilson]

Oh, come on. Your gun bearer has your Springfield and a big gun. Everything's in the car. We got solid ammunition?

[Francis Macomber]

Yes.

[Margot Macomber]

Oh. Well, I'm ready.

[Robert Wilson]

Oh, you get in front. The memsab can sit back here with me.

[Narrator]

They climbed into the vehicle and in the gray first daylight, moved off up the river through the trees. Macomber opened the breach of his rifle and saw he had metal cased bullets. He shut the boat and put the rifle on safety. He saw that his hand was trembling.

[Robert Wilson]

Look at the vultures up there.

[Margot Macomber]

They're circling and then dropping down. What does that mean?

[Robert Wilson]

Means the old boy's left his kill. Chances are he'll come to drink along here before he goes to lay up. Keep an eye out.

[Francis Macomber]

Ah, there he is. Head to the right. Well, get out and take him.

[Robert Wilson]

He's a marvelous lion.

[Francis Macomber]

How far is he?

[Robert Wilson]

About 75 yards. Well, get out and take him.

[Francis Macomber]

Why not shoot him?

[Robert Wilson]

From where I am, you don't shoot them from cars. Get out. He's not going to stay there all day.

[Margot Macomber]

Isn't he marvelous? Silhouetted on the bank there with the breeze just stirring his mane.

[Robert Wilson]

Go on, take him. Got him in the flag. Hit him again before he reaches the grass.

[Francis Macomber]

I hit him. I hit him twice. I heard the bullets.

[Robert Wilson]

Go home. You gut shot him and you hit him somewhere forward. You may have killed him. We'll have to wait a while before we go in to find out.

[Francis Macomber]

What do you mean?

[Robert Wilson]

Let him get sick before we follow him up. He's a hell of a fine lion. He's in a bad place, though.

[Francis Macomber]

Why bad?

[Robert Wilson]

You can't see him until you run him. Oh, can't go any. Bring Saab's big gun. And dear boy, the mem sahib had better stay here.

[Margot Macomber]

Why?

[Robert Wilson]

Because I say so. You can see better from here.

[Francis Macomber]

I got Saab's big gun. Boiler.

[Robert Wilson]

Take it. Now let's go. Hold it.

[Francis Macomber]

He went this way. 1 See, there is blood on the grass 1 what do we do?

[Robert Wilson]

Not much choice. We'll go in and look for him.

[Francis Macomber]

Can't we set fire to the grass?

[Robert Wilson]

Too green.

[Francis Macomber]

We could send Congoli and the boys in as beaters.

[Robert Wilson]

We could, but it's just a touch murderous. You see that lion's wounded. You can drive an unwounded lion. He'll move on ahead of the noise. But a wounded lion's going to charge. You can't see him until you're right on him. He'll make himself perfectly flat in cover. You wouldn't think would hide a hair. You can't very well send boys in there to that sort of a show. Somebody's bound to get mauled.

[Francis Macomber]

What about the gun bearers?

[Robert Wilson]

Oh, they'll go. That's what they're paid for. But they don't look too happy about it, do they?

[Francis Macomber]

I don't want to go in there.

[Robert Wilson]

Neither do I. Really. No choice there. You don't have to go in, of course. That's what I'm hired for. That's why I'm so expensive.

[Francis Macomber]

We not leave him, then.

[Robert Wilson]

You mean pretend to ourselves he hasn't been hit?

[Francis Macomber]

Yeah.

[Robert Wilson]

Just drop isn't done.

[Francis Macomber]

Why not?

[Robert Wilson]

Well, for one thing, he's certainly suffering. For another, someone else might run onto him.

[Francis Macomber]

I see.

[Robert Wilson]

But you don't have to have anything to do with it.

[Francis Macomber]

I. I'd like to. I'm just scared.

[Robert Wilson]

Why don't you go over and join the memsab while I just get it over with?

[Francis Macomber]

No, I want to go.

[Robert Wilson]

All right. You keep behind me and a little to one side. Chances are we'll hear him growl. If we see him, we'll both shoot. Don't worry about anything. I'll keep you backed up.

[Francis Macomber]

Could I have a drink of water?

[Robert Wilson]

Congoni, Margie? Quabwana, dear.

[Francis Macomber]

One magic one. Thank you.

[Robert Wilson]

Come on. Keep behind me and about five yards to the right and do exactly as I tell you. Watch the blood spore, Congoni.

[Francis Macomber]

And do what? This webuana.

[Robert Wilson]

Anyone who gone far. Careful now.

[Narrator]

Macomber heard the coughing grunt, saw the swishing rush in the grass. And the wild roar seemed to enfold him. The next thing he knew he was running. Running wildly in panic in the open, running towards the stream. He heard the crash of Wilson's big rifle. Crashed again. And turning. Macomber saw the heavy yellow bulk of the lion stiffening, the head sliding forward. The lion was dead and the black men and the white man stood looking at Macomber in contempt. He walked towards Wilson.

[Robert Wilson]

Want to take pictures? No.

[Margot Macomber]

Is it all right to come down?

[Robert Wilson]

Yes. It's all over. It's a fine line. The boys will skid him out. We might as well stay here in the shade.

[Margot Macomber]

That was fabulous. I saw the whole thing. Mr. Robert Wilson. I'm gonna kiss you for that. There.

[Robert Wilson]

Oh, I say.

[Margot Macomber]

The beautifully red faced Mr. Robert Wilson.

[Narrator]

That was the story of the lion. Makumba hadn't known how the lion had built when he felt the smash of the 505 that destroyed him. Wilson knew something about it and only expressed it by saying damn fine line. But Macomber didn't know how Wilson felt about things either. He didn't know how his wife felt, except that she was through with him. At lunchtime they all sat under the double green fly of the dining tent pretending that nothing had happened.

[Francis Macomber]

Will you have line from taco night.

[General Motors]

In Tulum to sushi in Tokyo. Make every bite rewarding with gold from Amex wherever you dine. Four times membership rewards. Points at restaurants worldwide are piling up. Learn [e-mail] Explore Gold terms and points cap apply Perio Sutra bajo redujeron susoras pondera calificar para los beneficios del segro de desempleo de Oregon Es gratis applicar sin costos nitari vas par obtender beneficios y los servicios de interpretacion Estandis ponibiles presentar su solicitud es fazil. Lliame al uno ocho. Siete, siete. Tres cuatro. Ocho.

[Francis Macomber]

Juice or lemon squash?

[Robert Wilson]

I'll have a gimlet.

[Margot Macomber]

I'll have a gimlet, too. I need something.

[Francis Macomber]

I suppose it's the thing to do. What should I give the boys?

[Robert Wilson]

A quid will be plenty. Any more and you'll spoil him.

[Francis Macomber]

Will the head man distribute it?

[Robert Wilson]

He will. Well, here's to the lion.

[Francis Macomber]

Here's to the lion. I. I can't ever thank you for what you did.

[Margot Macomber]

Let's not talk about the lion. You know, you have a very red face, Mr. Wilson.

[Robert Wilson]

Drink?

[Margot Macomber]

No, I don't think so. Francis drinks a great deal, but his face is never red.

[Francis Macomber]

Well, it. It's red today.

[Margot Macomber]

No, it's mine that's red today. But Mr. Wilson's is always red.

[Robert Wilson]

Let's drop my beauty as a topic, shall we?

[Margot Macomber]

Conversation is going to be so difficult.

[Francis Macomber]

Don't be silly, Margot.

[Robert Wilson]

No difficulty. Got a damn fine line.

[Margot Macomber]

I wish it hadn't happened. Oh, I wish it hadn't happened.

[Robert Wilson]

Amounts to nothing. Strain on the nerves, one thing to another.

[Francis Macomber]

No, I suppose I wait that for the rest of my life.

[Robert Wilson]

Nonsense. Forget the whole thing. Nothing to it, anyway.

[Francis Macomber]

We might try. I won't forget what you did for me, though.

[Robert Wilson]

Nothing. It's all nonsense.

[Francis Macomber]

It. It doesn't have to go any further, does it? I mean, no one will hear about it.

[Robert Wilson]

You mean, will I tell it to the club? I'm a professional hunter. We never talk about our clients. You can be quite easy on that. It's supposed to be bad form to ask us not to talk, though.

[Francis Macomber]

I'm sorry. I didn't realize that. There are a lot of things I don't know.

[Robert Wilson]

Don't worry about me talking. I have a living to make. You know, in Africa, no woman ever misses her lion. And no white man ever bolts.

[Francis Macomber]

I bolted like a rabbit. Maybe I can fix it up on.

[Robert Wilson]

Buffalo in the morning if you like. Oh, here comes the mimsab.

[Margot Macomber]

Are you feeling better, Francis?

[Francis Macomber]

Much better.

[Margot Macomber]

I've dropped the whole thing. What importance is there, sue? Whether Francis is any good at killing lions? That's not his trade. That's Mr. Wilson's trade. Mr. Wilson is really very impressive. Killing anything. You do kill anything, don't you?

[Robert Wilson]

Oh, anything. Simply anything. We're going after buffalo in the morning.

[Margot Macomber]

I'm coming.

[Robert Wilson]

No, you're not.

[Margot Macomber]

Oh, yes, I am. I wouldn't miss something like Today, for anything.

[Francis Macomber]

We'll put on another show for you tomorrow.

[Robert Wilson]

She's not coming.

[Margot Macomber]

You're very mistaken. And I want so to see you perform again. You are lovely this morning.

[Robert Wilson]

Lunch. Buena sasahivi. Oh, thank you, Congoni. Well, you're very merry, aren't you?

[Margot Macomber]

Why not? I didn't come out here to be dull.

[Robert Wilson]

It hasn't been dull.

[Margot Macomber]

No, it's been charming. You don't know how I look forward to tomorrow.

[Robert Wilson]

Lunch.

[Francis Macomber]

Mampside.

[Margot Macomber]

Oh, thank you. What is it?

[Robert Wilson]

It's eland. Oh.

[Margot Macomber]

They're the big cowie things that jump like hares, aren't they?

[Robert Wilson]

I suppose that describes them.

[Francis Macomber]

It's very good meat.

[Margot Macomber]

Did you shoot it, Francis?

[Francis Macomber]

Yes.

[Margot Macomber]

They're not dangerous, are they?

[Robert Wilson]

Only if they fall on you.

[Margot Macomber]

I'm so glad.

[Francis Macomber]

Can't we let up on this a bit, Margot?

[Margot Macomber]

I suppose so.

[Robert Wilson]

Well, tonight we'll have champagne for the lion. A bit too hot at noon.

[Margot Macomber]

Oh, the lion. I'd forgotten the lion.

[Robert Wilson]

Have some more Eland.

[Narrator]

At 3 o'clock in the morning, Francis Macomber woke suddenly, frightened in a dream of the bloody headed lion standing over him. And he listened while his heart panted. Then he realized that his wife wasn't in the other cot in the tent. It was two hours later that she came in, lifted her mosquito bar and crawled cosily into bed.

[Francis Macomber]

Where have you been?

[Margot Macomber]

I just went out to get a breath of air.

[Francis Macomber]

Can't you be more original than that?

[Margot Macomber]

What do you want me to say, darling?

[Francis Macomber]

Where have you been?

[Margot Macomber]

Out to get a breath of air.

[Francis Macomber]

That's a new name for it. You're nothing but.

[Margot Macomber]

And you're a coward.

[Francis Macomber]

All right, what of it?

[Margot Macomber]

Nothing, as far as I'm concerned. Oh, but please, let's not talk, darling, because I'm very sleepy.

[Francis Macomber]

You think I'll take anything?

[Margot Macomber]

Please, darling.

[Francis Macomber]

There wasn't going to be any of that. You promised there wouldn't be.

[Margot Macomber]

Well, now there is.

[Francis Macomber]

You said if we made this trip that there'd be none of that. You promised.

[Margot Macomber]

Yes, darling, that's the way I meant it to be. But the trip was spoiled yesterday. We don't have to talk about it.

[Francis Macomber]

You don't wait long when you have an advantage, do you?

[Margot Macomber]

Please, let's not talk. I'm so sleepy.

[Francis Macomber]

I'm gonna talk.

[Margot Macomber]

Don't mind me then, because I'm going to sleep.

[Narrator]

And she went to sleep at breakfast. There were all three at the table before daylight.

[Robert Wilson]

Sleep well, did you? Wonderfully.

[Margot Macomber]

Do you think we'll find Buffalo a chance of it.

[Robert Wilson]

Why don't you stay in camp?

[Margot Macomber]

Not for anything.

[Robert Wilson]

Why not order her to stay in camp?

[Francis Macomber]

You order her.

[Margot Macomber]

Let's not have any ordering, nor any silliness.

[Francis Macomber]

Francis, are you ready to start?

[Robert Wilson]

Anytime. Do you want the memsab to go?

[Francis Macomber]

Does it make any difference whether I do or not?

[Robert Wilson]

No.

[Francis Macomber]

You're sure you wouldn't like to stay in camp with her yourself and let me go out and hunt the buffalo?

[Robert Wilson]

I wouldn't talk rot if I were you.

[Francis Macomber]

I'm not talking rot. I'm disgusted.

[Robert Wilson]

Bad word, disgusted.

[Margot Macomber]

Francis, will you please try to speak sensibly?

[Francis Macomber]

I speak too confounded sensibly. Did you ever eat such filthy food?

[Robert Wilson]

Something wrong with the food?

[Francis Macomber]

No more than with everything else.

[Robert Wilson]

I. Pull yourself together, laddie. There's a boy waiting at the table who understands a little English.

[Francis Macomber]

He can go to the devil.

[Robert Wilson]

If you'll excuse me, I've got one or two things to see to.

[Margot Macomber]

If you make a scene, I'll leave you.

[Francis Macomber]

No, you won't.

[Margot Macomber]

You can try and see.

[Francis Macomber]

You won't leave me?

[Margot Macomber]

No, I won't leave you. And you behave yourself.

[Francis Macomber]

Behave myself? Well, that's a way to talk. Why don't you try behaving?

[Margot Macomber]

I've tried it so long. So very long.

[Francis Macomber]

I hate that red faced swine. I loathe the sight of him.

[Margot Macomber]

He's really very nice.

[Robert Wilson]

Oh, shut up.

[Narrator]

Coming.

[Robert Wilson]

Shooting?

[Francis Macomber]

Yeah.

[Robert Wilson]

Better bring a woolly. It'll be cool in the car.

[Margot Macomber]

I'll get my leather jacket.

[Robert Wilson]

The boy has it.

[Narrator]

They got into the car and nobody spoke. The car climbed up a small rise and went on through the trees and then out into the field. The driver going slowly and Wilson looking carefully out across the field through his field glasses. The driver avoided warthog holes and drove round the mud castles and Suburban.

[Robert Wilson]

There they are.

[Margot Macomber]

Where?

[Narrator]

There.

[Robert Wilson]

You see? Three of them.

[Margot Macomber]

Oh, they're enormous.

[Robert Wilson]

They're off three old bulls. We'll cut them off before they get to the swamp. Come on, Coni. Get this thing moving.

[Margot Macomber]

We're doing 45 miles an hour.

[Robert Wilson]

We're catching them.

[Margot Macomber]

Their necks a part of their shoulders.

[Robert Wilson]

You see the shiny black of the horns?

[Francis Macomber]

I see them.

[Narrator]

What are you doing?

[Francis Macomber]

I'm gonna take that near one.

[Robert Wilson]

Not from the car, you fool. This will do. Concorde.

[Margot Macomber]

Stop.

[Robert Wilson]

Now get out and shoot. Well, that's one. Reload and get the other two. Quickly. Now you're shooting. Get that other one. All right. Nice work. That's the three.

[Francis Macomber]

How many times did you shoot?

[Robert Wilson]

Just three. You killed the first and the biggest. I helped you with the other two.

[Margot Macomber]

The first bull got up and went into the bush. Oh, it's going to be just like the lion.

[Robert Wilson]

It's not going to be like the lion at all. Where did he go?

[Margot Macomber]

In that patch of bush over there.

[Robert Wilson]

Chances are he's dead.

[Francis Macomber]

Oh, that was wonderful. I never felt such a feeling. I don't think I'd ever be afraid of anything again. I feel absolutely different.

[Robert Wilson]

Much more fashionable than to say you're scared.

[Margot Macomber]

You're both talking rot.

[Francis Macomber]

If you don't know what we're talking about, just keep out of it.

[Margot Macomber]

You've gotten awfully brave. Awfully suddenly, you know.

[Francis Macomber]

I have. I really have.

[Margot Macomber]

Isn't it sort of late?

[Francis Macomber]

Not for me.

[Robert Wilson]

Take the Springfield. You're used to it. We'll leave the Manlica in the car with the Memsab. The only shot is straight into the nose because the boss of the horns covers any sort of brain shot. You ready?

[Francis Macomber]

Looking forward to it.

[Robert Wilson]

Let's go.

[Narrator]

The car was parallel to the patch of brush. They followed the blood spore across the dry ground. One of Wilson's gun bearers was about to walk into the bush when the bull came out in a charge. His little pig eyes bloodshot. Wilson knelt and fired. Macomber stood and fired. Pieces of horn flew like slate from a roof. Then he fired again, carefully for the nose. He could see the little wicked eyes, and the bull's heads started to lower. Then he felt a sudden white hot, blinding flash explode inside his head. And that was all he ever felt. Mrs. Macomber had shot at the Buffalo with the 6.5m as it seemed about to go on a comber. And she'd hit her husband at the base of his skull.

[Robert Wilson]

I wouldn't turn him over. That was a pretty thing to do. He would have left you too.

[Margot Macomber]

Stop it.

[Robert Wilson]

Of course it's an accident.

[Margot Macomber]

Stop it.

[Robert Wilson]

I'll have to send a truck to Wallace for a plane to take us into Nairobi. Why didn't you poison him? That's what they do in England.

[Margot Macomber]

Stop it. Stop it.

[Narrator]

Stop it.

[Robert Wilson]

I'm through now. I've begun to like your husband.

[Frank Lauderdale]

Join us again next week for another story of the African bush belt. It might be fact, it might be fiction.

[Robert Wilson]

In General Motors on Safari, brought to.

[Frank Lauderdale]

You by General Motors. South African manufacturers of Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Chevrolet, Beaumont, Vauxhall, Opel, Holden, Bedford.

[Robert Wilson]

And GMC motor vehicles.