The Elephant In The Room

Marvin was in Eugene’s enclosure, shovelling dung. As an elephant keeper at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, Marvin had a special bond with Eugene, the forty-year-old Asian bull elephant. Taking care of Eugene was what he lived for, and Eugene loved him in return.

“It’s all arranged,” came a voice from behind. Startled, Marvin turned to see Stan, the head elephant keeper. “We are shipping Eugene out next week.”
Marvin looked at Stan with a puzzled expression. “What do you mean?” he asked.
“Oh come on, Marvin,” replied Stan. “You know as well as I do that Eugene is past his prime. We’re running a tight outfit here.”
Marvin pressed his forehead against Eugene’s trunk and closed his eyes.
“In this game it is never a good idea to get attached to the animals. I’ve told you that since day one,” declared Stan.
“Mmhmm,” answered Marvin, pretending not to listen. Stan shook his head and walked away. Waiting until he was out of earshot, Marvin turned to Eugene and looked him in the eye.
“Don’t worry, old buddy,” he said to the elephant, kissing his trunk. “You won’t be going to another zoo. I’m going to make sure of that.”

That evening, Marvin did not go home. He stayed in Eugene’s enclosure, hidden underneath a pile of straw. At the stroke of midnight, he emerged from his hiding place and tiptoed over to Eugene who was standing silently. Stroking the great beast’s head gently, he whispered in his ear. Eugene did not move. Marvin put his hand in his pocket, retrieved a handful of peanuts and waved them under Eugene’s trunk. Enticed by the smell, Eugene stepped forward.
“That’s it,” said Marvin, laying a trail of peanuts on the ground, making his way to the gate. “Time to get out of here.” Eugene followed, eagerly eating the peanuts that Marvin placed on the ground, one at a time.

At the gate, Marvin carefully turned the key in the lock. With a loud click the gate unlocked and squeaked open. He beckoned the elephant closer. “Freedom.” Marvin said. Suddenly, a bright spotlight lit up the zoo.
“Stop right there!” shouted a voice. Marvin recognised it immediately. It was Stan.
“Going somewhere?” Stan asked, patronisingly. Marvin saw that ten other zookeepers surrounded him, and he knew that the jig was up.
“I’m taking Eugene,” he replied, defiantly. “He belongs with me.”
“Who Eugene belongs to is not your concern. Now hand him over.”
“No.” said Marvin. Stan took a step towards Marvin. “There’s nowhere you can send him where I won’t find him, Stan.”  
“You will never see that elephant again!” asserted Stan, and he punched Marvin hard in the jaw. Marvin fell to the ground.
“Somebody get this sack of shit out of my sight!” Stan demanded. Marvin felt himself get picked up by strong arms.
“Eugene!” he wailed as he was dragged through the zoo.

Through the years that followed, Marvin visited many zoos around the world, in search of Eugene. I met him at the BioParque do Rio in Brazil, once. He was at the elephant enclosure, silently watching the animal. His heartache was palpable, so I turned and asked, “Well?”
Marvin smiled, his gaze fixed on the elephant.
“No.” he replied, and he walked away, dropping a bag of peanuts in the garbage.

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