Chaps 10-12, Jacob is falling in love, with a girl and an animal

SPOILER ALERT!!! If you are not reading or planning to read Water for Elephantsbook or script, then do not read this post or the comments. We are reading Water for Elephants together and I want everyone to feel free to discuss openly. You should join us if you haven’t already!

Start at the beginning!!

Chapters 1-3, where the waterworks begin!

Chapters 4-6, lots of new characters!

Chapters 7-9, penises, dead horses and an elephant!

Enter Rosie! Of course, August is pissed because the rumor is the elephant is stupid. But she impresses Jacob and

Marlena, and witnesses that first “moment” between the two. They just dance for a moment, but Rosie smiles and loves it, but then Marlena pulls away. Naturally, I think. I mean, she is married.

August is pissed about the elephant. Not just the cost of it, but the way it will cause issues on the circus with the caste system that is set up between the performers and the working men. Whoa, look at me, busting out some for serious vocabulary like caste.

Jacob leaves to find a very friendly Kinko, who throws him in the mix at his party where Jacob becomes extremely intoxicated. Enter Barbara and Nell. You remember Barbara, right? She’s like the official circus prostitute, and she has her sites set on Jacob.

Awkwardness abounds, since the girls are trying to get this poor, drunk virgin Jacob to do it, and alcohol was having some serious effects for Jacob’s downstairs and it all ends with him barfing on Nell and them dressing him in a gown with clown makeup and stuffing him in a box. And then he gets to take the walk of shame, without really even getting the shame part of it all. But hell, I can’t help but laugh at it all.

And we continue to witness August’s seeming hatred of the animals with the slaughter of horses to feed the cats and the way he treats Rosie. Marlena and Jacob watch it, and have another moment where they hold hands. And now we can officially call Kinko Walter, because him and Jacob have pretty much made up.

Jacob has an epiphany, which is that he is more like his father then he realizes. That he cannot leave the animals because that would be leaving them to  August and Al, which would be wrong. It’s not only his duty, but he would be doing right by his father as well.

Once again, August is trying to make up to Jacob by taking him and Marlena out to what appears to be a speak easy. Then Marlena pulls him out to dance once August leaves, which August does not seem too pleased about. Then… a raid.

Marlena and Jacob escape together and can’t find August, so they end up alone. And then Jacob kisses her. Marlena starts to accept it, then realizes what she is doing and tears off. Jacob feels terrible, and is more embarrassed about that kiss then the barfing.

Walter picks up quickly on Jacob’s feelings towards Marlena. He warns him that August is dangerous, but at the same time, Jacob has to keep playing the act. He has to act like nothing happened because if not, he know’s August will probably lose it.

Uncle Al decides it’s time to put Rosie to good use and forces an elephant act. Even though no one is ready, Marlena takes control and pulls off and amazing show that leaves her hurt. While everyone fusses over her, Jacob is sent off to retrieve Rosie, who is off eating someone’s garden in town. This is where Jacob discovers the secret of alcohol  for elephants. Unfortunately, August is not pleased about everything and takes the bull hook from Jacob and goes to punish Rosie.