The Hunters Page #3

That wouldn't be an answer to anything.

Do you mind if we don't talk about it now?

All right.

I didn't mean to stay in the service after the | war. It was just the line of least resistance.

I took foreign duty. Pilot instruction | in France, Turkey, Greece...

- Just marking time. | - Until another war?

Well, till another something.

Itjust happened to be another war.

Now. Do you mind talking about yourself?

- What would you like to know? | - Just start somewhere and end somewhere.

All right. I lived in Oslo, Norway.

I was 16 when the war in Europe ended.

I had no family left, | but there was a little money.

I went to Paris to study art.

My paintings looked like a bad cross | between Rembrandt and Picasso.

I went to New York to study art. | My paintings improved somewhat.

Now they only look like a bad cross between | Grandma Moses and Salvador Dali.

I met Carl. He was very charming.

We were married and lived happily ever after.

Did you?

For a while.

Carl hadn't seen action in World War ll. He | had only gotten his wings when it was over.

When this war started they called him back | and I came to Japan to be close to him.

When I met him here I didn't know him | and he didn't know me.

That happens to some men in a war.

They look at death every day | and they can't see anything else.

That's the reason why I don't return to the | States. Sometime he might need me here.

Sometime when the war is over, if he lives, | maybe we can start over again.

- When will you form your flight? | - After indoctrination, in a few days.

- Will you be allowed to pick your flyers? | - Well, I'll have something to say about it.

Choose Carl.

- He won't be any safer with me. | - It isn't that.

He thinks he is the only | frightened man in the squadron.

I think that is much the problem between us.

He thinks I expect him to be a hero - | a great ace.

If you'd pick him for your flight, | Cleve Saville's flight,

it might give him confidence, bring him | closer to what he thinks he should be.

You don't have to say yes or no to me. | Just think about it.

He will give you his best, I know that.

What are you thinking?

I'm just being envious of your husband.

It's late.

All right.

What now, Mrs Abbott?

Whatever, Major Saville.

I deliberately invited that, didn't I?

It seemed right.

I thought so too.

It has been an altogether lovely day.

I'm very grateful.

Do you want me to go now?

Yes.

I've taken enough advantage of you.

"Advantage"?

Just that.

And if I don't go?

I'm off balance. | Don't press me too hard, please.

Good night, Chris.

Good night.

Cleve.

Forgive me.

Forgive you?

Mrs Abbott, I'm in love with you.

Hello, Lieutenant.

Hello, Major. I think I can make it to the house | by myself this time. Thanks just the same.

I've been out with your wife, Lieutenant.

Oh?

It does her good to get out once in a while.

Me, I'm busy at the office.

- We take off at six in the morning, you know. | - Yes. I'll be there if I have to crawl.

- Ever seen me crawl, Major? I crawl fast. | - I'll bet you do.

Surprise!

You're not surprised.

Did Killer Cleve | let the cat out of the bag?

Well, accidentally. | He didn't know I hadn't seen you.

Anyway, why should he lie for you?

That's right. Nobody owes me anything.

Very friendly of Saville | to pay attention to my wife.

We met in the express office. | He asked me to have lunch with him.

What do you think of him?

- Carl, do you have to drink right now? | - Come on, now. What do you think of him?

What's the matter? | You must have some idea.

- Aren't you making it awfully important? | - Maybe it is. What do you think of him?

Well, I...

I think he's a very lonely man.

Lonely?

This guy? This guy doesn't need anybody.

Do you know what Imil calls him? | The iceman.

He's like death. | No feelings, no nerves, no fear...

Why do you tell me this?

I don't know.

Forget it.

Carl.

- Do you think I am comparing you with him? | - Well, aren't you?

- I don't know. I might be, but... | - Sure.

I couldn't blame you.

I've tried not to get in the way. | I've tried to understand,

but you've got to let me mean something.

I want to be a wife again. Even if it's | for only the few hours you can spare me.

You've got a big problem, haven't you?

It isn't a big problem, but it's our problem.

Yeah. That's right.

I guess you're right.

Well, I'll think about it, Chris. | I swear to God.

I'll try to think about it.

Hello, Major. You're in and off in a hurry.

Well, I got a different kind of contract, Sarge. | They're payin' me by the hour.

How do you like that? | As steady as a rock. No nerves.

Maybe they're numb.

Maybe they're dead.

- Evening, sir. | - Hi, Corona. Abbott.

Tell me, how does it happen that I'm to fly | with such select company, Major?

- You and Corona... | - Colonel Imil made up the flight.

- Will you join us, Major? | - Thanks.

Gently. Gently, don't rock the boat.

All those beer cans yours?

It wouldn't be cricket to stack up | another man's beer cans. I've got integrity.

I'm the most accomplished beer-can stacker | in this whole squadron.

I don't have any MiGs to show for it,

but I can stack my beer-can stack | up against anybody else's beer-can stack.

- You say Dutch made up the flight, Major? | - That's right.

I had a feeling my wife might have asked you | to honour me with your command.

Why?

She's got my interests at heart. | She was impressed when the man said:

"To keep, in sickness and in health, | until death do us... "

She fancies herself a camp woman, following | her man into battle and shining his boots...

Look, I'm not interested | in what you think about your wife.

I'm interested in what happens to me | over the Yalu river

with some bleary-eyed pilot flying my wing.

If you want to get yourself grounded | just add one more can of beer to that stack.

- How do you know I don't want that? | - I don't know.

But if you do, I'll be happy to oblige you | by reporting your alcohol content to Imil.

I guess I don't owe my wife a vote of thanks.

- Good night, Major. | - Good night, Lieutenant.

I've met his wife a couple of times. | She's all right in my book.

I don't get him. There's only one thing | I can say for that guy - he's got guts.

Every time he takes off on a mission | he's scared green, but he goes anyway.

Well, that's what counts - | when they go anyway.

Nobody makes you fly. He could dog it.

- Nobody cares. | - No, nobody cares but Abbott.

- Hey, daddy-o, give me some cigars. | - Yes, sir.

What's your name?

I been buyin' cigars here for three weeks | and you don't remember my name?

- I ought to be shot at sunrise. | - Pell. Pell. P-e-I-I.

- Pell. Eight cigars. | - What do you mean? Eight? Six.

All right, six. Can't blame me for trying.

- Major Saville? | - That's right.

- I'm Ed Pell. | - What about it?

- I'm assigned to your flight. | - Oh. Meet Corona, same flight.

- Hi. | - Glad to know you.

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