The Magician's Elephant

The citizens of Baltese are fascinated by the elephant. Bakers create an elephant-ear dessert. Hawkers sell pieces of the opera-house roof. Puppet shows feature the elephant. People dance a new elephant dance. Preachers talk about the elephant in their sermons. Fortunetellers decree that the elephant’s arrival signifies that something even more momentous will happen.

Irritated by the attention the elephant is receiving, the countess Quintet believes the elephant is ruining the Baltese social season and, primarily, deflecting attention from her. To her annoyance, she was not at the opera house when the elephant appeared, and so she insists the elephant is nothing special. Her husband did see the elephant’s arrival and was profoundly moved but knows the countess will not listen to his feelings. He suggests that she acquire the elephant so that she will again be the center of society. Countess Quintet buys the elephant. She pays for a new opera house roof, donates to the policeman’s fund, and offers to help Madam LaVaughn take legal action against the magician. Countess Quintet commissions an elephant-sized door for their house, and the captain of police gladly transfers the elephant to her.