A few days ago, actor Alec Baldwin accidentally shot and killed a cinematographer on the set of his latest movie in New Mexico. Accidents like this happen infrequently, but they do happen. By coincidence, just 16 months before this tragedy, I published the last novel in the Nick Walker, U.F. Marshal series, Ambush at Galaxy Gulch.
Here is a brief scene from that novel:
Before Nick could say anything else, the director in the striped shirt moved onto the sidewalk and shouted something. Instantly, the horsemen spurred their mounts and the horses bolted down the street in his direction. The riders leaned low over their saddle horns and began firing into the air. Each shot produced a blossom of powder smoke and people on the sidewalk—actors in period dress—reacted as if in fear. Nick, feeling giddy, rested his hand on a wooden support post and watched. This was more fun than he’d had in a month.
The horses raced toward him at full speed, the riders ee-hawing and firing their pistols. As they crossed the center cross-street, one rider aimed his gun at a woman cowering on the sidewalk. He fired. She screamed and fell. Nick felt his neck hairs curl—it seemed so real. Another rider fired at another pedestrian. Nick heard the distinct plunk of a bullet punching through wood. His neck hairs stood up straight, and so did he. A jolt of adrenaline shot through him.
“What the hell?” Manchester muttered.
Before Nick could reply, the horses raced by him, and a third rider aimed his pistol directly at Holly Manchester. Without thinking, Nick launched himself at the girl and tackled her; the rider fired. Holly screamed. She and Nick hit the wooden sidewalk in a heap. A breakaway window above them shattered and glass fragments cascaded down over them.
Rod Manchester ran into the street, shouting after the riders.
“Stop, goddammit! Stop! Cut! Cut!”
The riders hauled back on the reins and their mounts dug in their heels, stopping just a few yards away. They wheeled around to see what was wrong.
“Hold your fire!” Manchester shouted. “You’re firing live ammunition!”
This was not a prophecy, just a reflection of real life in the movie business. My condolences go to Mr. Baldwin and the two victims of the tragedy (one of whom survived), as well as their families, cast, and crew. Hopefully this incident will result in better gun-safety measures in the motion picture industry.
John Bowers -- BornNovelist 