Where's the Elephant?

Where's the Elephant?

Barry ambled across the park-like grounds of the facility and pulled on the long brass handle to the double doors of the low stacked stone building with the thick columns to make his entrance. He was met by a uniformed personnel member bustling about performing her duties. “Excuse me, I'm look...”

“About time you got here. You're running late. If you want to work here you gotta learn to be on time.“ The worker, 'Buffy' according to her name tag, chastised the new hire. “Grab a bucket and mop from that closet and join in. Great you brought your own hose. I'll show you the routine. Then you'll be on your own for the rest of the night.”

“But you mis...”

“I don't miss a thing and you better watch where you put those clumsy clod-hoppers of yours or you'll knock over my bucket and create a bigger mess to clean up. Like I'm not already overloaded!”

“Sorry, I have two left feet as you can tell. I only need to...”

“You only need to get busy and help schlep out this hallway. Then we'll get to the residents. You've got a lot to learn. Name's Buffy, by the way. Now get out of my way before I ram into you.”

“Name's Barry and I've got thick skin but you really must understand why...”

“Why don't you understand to get out of my way if you're only gonna fill the room with excuses.”

Not wanting to antagonize the rushed Buffy, Barry rolled out the unwieldy equipment and worked his way down the wide corridor reading the posted names above the doorways trying not to get distracted by noises emanating from within. He knew he may have to eventually enter each one to tend to their needs in order to please the insistent Buffy.

'Tapsy and Melon', 'Pipkin', 'Rhinestone Cowboy', 'Diamond', 'Hilary' and 'Potus'. He still hadn't found what he was looking for until the last one. 'Ellie'. Aha, maybe that's the one. The newcomer thought.

“You make this look effortless. How long have you been working here?” Barry inquired.

“Long enough to know when you can talk and when to keep busy.” She shut him down. “That should do it for these tiles. Now for the fun part. You ready? Pick out a favorite yet where you want to start?”

“Really here to see ...”

“Oh, you'll get to see all of them. Up close and personal.”

“Maybe you would show me the safest place.” Barry relented.

“No such thing as safest. Or fastest. Might as well start on one end and work your way down. But stay alert. Especially with Tapsy and Melon. You know how new mothers can be. Get in. Do your thing and get out. Easy-peasy. Not here to win friends or influence enemies. Don't worry too much. They're used to brashness. Not fun for them either. Use the brush, followed by the mop then clean up the floor and put down new bedding.” Buffy used gestures to demonstrate her explanations.

”But what if they want to get friendly? Shouldn't I talk to 'em to keep them calmed down?”

“Well, you might find they'll want to cuddle up to you or something. Don't have enough time for all that. You are probably not their type anyway, Big Boy.” She winked at him.

Barry's jaw dropped. Was she flirting with him?

“Oh, don't get so excited. You are sort of huge. I think it is charming how intimidating they are to one so beefed up.”

“You think I'm beefed up?”

“You're not exactly demonstrating that at the moment but you have potential. Maybe you are a sensitive wild-man but we don't have time to explore that right now. I want to get going while there is still night time wildlife out there. Come on, let me show you.”

And she did. She whipped through the first enclosure then passed the tools over to him. “Your turn.”

He stumbled into the next glass encased cage and was immediately confronted by a humongous specimen. He shook as he performed the obligatory duties. He was visibly upset by the time he emerged but was unscathed.

“See, nothing to it, Barry. You are on your own from here on out. See you tomorrow evening. Be on time.” Buffy had shed her uniform and was looking mighty fine a low cut white tank top with a light-weight jacket slung over her muscular shoulder.

Barry sweated through the rest of the process and was grateful when morning brought the next shift through the door.

Another dark-haired brownie-type greeted him with a knowing smile. “How was your first night with these beasts? Any of them try to get too friendly with you? My name is Milena by the way. Barry, right?”

He nodded, “Nice to meet you. How come the rest of you zoo keepers seem to be on the small side and have no problem with them. But a big guy like me has to worry?”

“Guess you appear more of a threat to them. It will be fine once they know you belong.” Milena assured. “Part of your duties is to help me turn them out now before you leave. Ready for that? It is a beautiful morning.”

“Show me the ropes.”

“Its mostly more automated than that now days. Spring action or something like it. They are so eager to be turned loose they almost could do it on their own. Controls are in this closet. Squeeze on in.”

Could he get on board with this? Tight quarters with a hot looking co-worker. Not what he was expecting. How he wished he hadn't been sweating all night as he swabbed the residents! She was bound to notice as close as they got.

“Well, is that all there is to it? I am badly in need of a shower for myself but I doubt I have to point that out to you. Sorry. Are there facilities on sight here somewhere? Buffy came in last night as fresh as a daisy before she left. The work here definitely warrants the need, for sure.”

“Certainly. The employees lounge has some showers. Its close to the front gates. Lockers are available. I am surprised you didn't get that in orientation.”

“Orientation? Look, is nobody going to say it? I don't belong here. Buffy buffaloed me into taking over for her. I'm was only looking for a Ms. Phant. I have a delivery for her. I was sent over by the zoo veterinarian. I am to inseminate her as part of the fertilization effort to increase the elephant herd. I thought it might be 'Ellie' but that cage was empty. Buffy wouldn't let me explain and since she was anxiously expecting someone to relieve her, I helped out as much as I could.”

“Oh, my! Of course. It should have been obvious. We sent Ellie over to the doc to meet a potential mate. That must be you! I can see you are definitely ready to meet her. Lucky girl.”

“Sorry about that. Washing down all these other pachyderms, the tapirs, rhinos and hippos, then squeezing behind your gorgeous bison arse in the closet got a rise out of me. I'll head to those showers now.”