Why did that woman shoot him? ... Part II

So I ask, was it Gus who put the woman up to the shooting?

Don't over think this. There is nothing in the book or movie that remotely suggest this. And while The Natural is fiction, her character is based on Ruth Ann Steinhagen, who stalked professional baseball player Eddie Waitkus and shot him just like Harriet Bird did to Hobbs. And like Hobbs, Waitkus survived the shooting.

Besides, why would Gus take the loss out on Roy? If Roy was in on the deal and double crossed Gus, that would be different. Gus had better reason to kill Roy before the last series of the season, but only had him poisoned to keep him out, not kill him. It was Roy's previously injured stomach that caused him more problems than just the poison.

And for my last "besides", let me add that if Gus could convince Harriet to not only kill the boy, but then take a flying leap out of the window, he must have been some smooooooooth talker. Hehe.. "Bird" indeed.

It is bad to drink Jobus rum. Very bad.

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I entertained that thought at the time but I think that dialog is more to the point Gus knows how to make fate work to his advantage. I think the woman in black had killed a great football player in Philadelphia on a quest to kill the very best athlete. She'd have killed Whammer if he'd have won. but of course Roy had to have a hand in his own fall by coming to her room and being attracted to her. We're dealing in myth.

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