Law of Jungle in Action

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Mark Robinson knew when he embarked on an African safari this summer with his wife, Pamela, that he’d get to see all kinds of wildlife up close. But the executive director of Cushman & Wakefield’s Century City real estate brokerage never imagined just how close.

Traveling with four other couples, the Robinsons came within 10 or 15 feet of lions, leopards, hyenas, jackals and elephants, to name a few. But one evening, to his surprise, he got an even closer look.

Midway through the trip, after a full day driving while looking for wildlife, the group stopped on the bank of a slow-moving river full of crocodiles and hippopotamuses. They got out of their vehicles, ready to stretch their legs and watch the coming sunset with a cocktail in hand. But before they could relax, their peace was shattered: An impala came streaking around a bend directly toward them, chased by four wild dogs. Oblivious to the sightseers, Robinson said, the impala ran right past him into the river in an attempt to get away. The dogs went in after the impala, and the chase continued as the animals disappeared into the bush on the opposite bank.

The whole thing happened in a flash, but Robinson, 57, said it left a lasting impression.

“(During the trip) we saw two female lions with six cubs lying around and playing, and we saw some males feeding, and that was all really cool,” he said. “But this chase – survival of the fittest – it came out of nowhere and that made it so beautiful.”

Page Turner

Writing is part of the job for Jeff Sweat, director of communications at Playa Vista ad agency 72andSunny, but now it’s morphed into a personal project.

Sweat started writing his first novel this year and said he’s written about one-third of the book, which will be a series and is tentatively called “Mayfair.”

It’s set in Los Angeles in a future where no one lives past the age of 15.

“It’s the kind of world where they’ve lost so much of what makes us a society,” he said. “They’ve lost literature, medicine and technology, and all the things that really define us as humans.”

Sweat, 42, added it can be difficult to sit down and write after a long day at work, but he’s found some ways to help with the occasional writer’s block.

“If I’m feeling a little stuck, I’ll grab a cup of coffee,” he said, “or a glass of bourbon – if that’s what the situation requires.”

Staff reporters Bethany Firnhaber and Subrina Hudson contributed to this column. Page 3 is compiled by editor Charles Crumpley. He can be reached at [email protected].

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