Born Free Page #2

I would leave Pati behind on these rides.

She was getting old now,

and I kept her as quiet as possible.

- Look after Pati for me, Nuru.

- Yes, Memsahib.

- All right, darling?

- Yes, fine.

- Memsahib. Pati...

- What's happened?

She's very sick, I think from heat.

I think she die.

She's dead.

When the day

that I had been dreading came...

...I went for a last walk with Elsa.

Elsa?

There you are. Come on.

Come on, come on down.

This way. Come on.

Elsa, no!

Come away. Please!

Thank you, darling. That's a good girl.

If it's any consolation,

I feel as rotten about it as you do.

George, I think I ought to tell you

that just now Elsa...

What about her?

Nothing.

Come on, love. Come on.

There you go, my sweetie.

- I suppose we do have to send them off.

- Yes.

All of them?

Yes, even Elsa.

Even if I told you that she just stopped me

from walking into a great big cobra...

...and that she knew what she was doing?

I'm sorry, it wasn't fair to ask.

Let's get the show on the road,

as they say.

- Would you mind if I did some shopping?

- No, good idea.

- Can you cope?

- Yes, I think so.

I'll meet you outside Ahmed's.

- How will you get there?

- In a taxi.

I know it's silly.

I know she's not a human being.

I know she's just a lion, but I wish

I could stop feeling so miserable.

You will.

No, I'm just a fool.

I'm going to miss her terribly.

You won't, you know.

Elsa, sweetie.

Darling, thank you. Thank you very much.

- Hello, George!

- Hello, John.

Good afternoon, Bwana Kendall.

- Where's Elsa?

- Elsa's not out here today.

Good.

- How's Bwana George?

- Much better now.

But that malaria was very bad.

Good thing he has strong medicine.

Yes. Well, you don't look too bad.

I boxed with Nuru before breakfast,

and earned a draw.

Good.

- Marvelous stuff, these malaria pills.

- Yes, if you don't overdo it.

I'm feeling fine.

Well enough for Joy to go out...

...and you Know she wouldn't go

if I wasn't fit.

Quite. What's she up to?

Having the Land Rover checked.

And in case you're wondering,

Elsa's with her.

I don't understand why everyone assumes

that Elsa and I have a feud.

- Help yourself.

- Thank you.

Actually, George,

I wanted to talk to you about another lion.

You know, the one that's been snatching

all those goats down in Kiunga.

I don't see why you have to travel

all that way in your condition.

Why don't I send Ken, or one of the others?

No, I think I'd like some sea air.

If you can wait until I feel a bit stronger.

I don't mind. A change would do you good.

But don't overdo it, will you?

The best cure for malaria is rest.

I take your point, John.

II'll rest. I promise you.

- Here, isn't that...

- Yes.

Come on, Elsa.

Come on down. Ride's over.

Hurry up. Let's go and see how George is.

Hello, John, how nice of you to drop in.

- Here's some letters for you.

- Thanks.

- How are you?

- Fine.

Good.

- Boxed six rounds with John this morning.

- Earned a draw.

How does it feel to live with

the boxing champion of the world?

Marvelous. We boxed two rounds

this morning and I knocked him out.

Can you stay to dinner?

Or, better still, stay the night.

- I can do both.

- Good. I'll just go and warn the cook.

Poor darling, I've hurt her feelings.

Joy!

Hello, Elsa. Have a nice drive?

- Stop it, Elsa.

- Hello, Elsa.

Get down.

Why don't you go and say hello to John?

You know, I think I'm being snubbed.

- Now stop it, Elsa.

- I hope.

You're getting heavy, Elsa.

Stop it, you're squashing me.

Now, the question is:

What have I forgotten?

Tell you what I've forgotten.

I'm almost out of malaria pills.

Right. Goodbye, darling.

Look after yourself. And no boxing.

I wouldn't dream of such a thing.

- Goodbye, John. Lovely to see you.

- Thank you.

Now I must say goodbye to Elsa.

Where is she?

On her car.

Elsa, I told you

you couldn't go to Nairobi with me.

Have you met my wife who talks to lions?

Please, come down. Elsa.

- I'm afraid you'll have to help me, Father.

- Good old Dad.

Elsa, don't be such a lunatic. Get down!

Get down!

Come on!

Come on! Good girl.

Will you have another cup of coffee

before you go off?

No, thank you.

What will you do with Elsa

while you're away in Kiunga?

We'll take her with us...

...unless you care to board her

till we get back.

No, thank you.

You know, you're as much her prisoner

as she is yours.

She's not a prisoner. She's a friend.

Yes, I know.

And there's probably no harm in taking her

on a short trip, with reasonable care.

But your long leave is due soon.

Are you planning on taking her

to England for a year?

No, it's a problem.

I've meant to talk to Joy about it, but...

...I suppose I've been waiting.

Don't wait too long.

Look after yourself.

Come on, lunatic.

You're blocking the road.

John wants to go home.

All clear, John.

Thank you.

Now, look, Joy will be back tomorrow.

You can't stay here all night.

Damn it!

Now you've got me talking to you.

Look, she'll be back tomorrow.

I promise you.

Elsa, go away.

Don't you sneak up on me like that.

It's very unpleasant.

Elsa, get down, you idiot.

I don't know.

Stop playing about.

Kindly give me the towel.

Thank you.

Now let's have my dressing gown back.

Come on. Give it to me.

Right away.

Go on, push off!

Hello, Elsa.

Did you look after George for me?

- Hello, darling.

- Hello, George.

- Good trip?

- Not bad. A bit dusty.

- How's Elsa?

- She missed her mom.

I did my best as a babysitter,

but I'm afraid I'm not the type.

Do you Know, she sat out here

all night long waiting for you?

Poor thing. And poor you, too, darling.

Come on, Elsa.

I'll find something nice for you.

George seemed so recovered

from his attack of malaria...

...that we left for Kiunga

the very next day...

...wondering how Elsa would react

to the sight of her first ocean.

We reached Kiunga too late for anything...

...except to make camp

and then meet the local fishermen...

...who had come to tell George about their

troubles with the lion killing their goats.

Under the circumstances, Elsa's presence

seemed to puzzle them considerably.

We were tired

and had fallen asleep quickly.

But I was awakened by noises

coming from near the cars and the kitchen.

There was no doubt that our cars,

or our food...

...were providing

a great temptation to someone.

I didn't want to wake George.

He had looked so tired and pale

when we arrived.

- George. George!

- What is it?

There's a lion out there.

I think it's John's goat-eater.

Don't be silly.

No lion would come into camp.

It's probably a hyena,

or a leopard or something.

No, it's a lion. I saw it.

I was out there by the cook tent.

What were you doing...

All right.

Go back to bed.

Did you see him?

Yes, I saw him. Go to sleep.

Well, what happened?

I'd rather not discuss it. Go to sleep.

What are you doing?

Getting a drink of water.

Look, will you or will you not go to sleep?

That's that.

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