Ch. 16-18, Rosie Speaks Polish and August Loses It

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!

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

Chapters 13-15, Rosie the Troublemaker and Taking Care of Camel

The shortest, yet saddest chapter of them all. At least to me. Why? Cause it treads on what must of us fear most, death.

Jacob kicks some ass!

And old Jacob just told an entire story to Rosemary without even realizing it. That’s when Jacob really realizes what’s coming. Here come the water works for me. I just want to hug old Jacob and tell him it will all be okay.

And now we finally learn how Marlena and August met. While holding each other after August left to “take care” of Rosie, Marlena tells him how he swept her off her feet after she realized what kind of future was set in front of her, and she didn’t like it. Jacob tells her he wants to see her, but Marlena stays faithful to her marriage, saying she made her bed she she has to lie in it. Then there is this tender moment where Jacob kisses her forhead, and I melt.

Poor Rosie. August had to be dragged away from her, and she was clearly frightened. Walter says it is terrible, but doesn’t describe it. I can only imagine. Walter gets them some whiskey, and Jacob takes off with his bottle and the remainder of Walter’s to see Rosie. Greg, the guy who helped back when Rosie as in the garden, is already there, swabbing her with ointment. And this is where the big discovery happens… we find out Rosie understands Polish. It explains everything, and what I personally can’t wait to see is the awkward kiss between Jacob and Greg. #pleasedon’tcutthat

Jacob starts teaching August Polish, and along with Marlena, they all begin working on Rosie’s show. And the other August is coming back. The nice, charming, seemingly good guy. But Jacob ain’t fooled, and neither am I. Even Rosie is being fooled. Then we have this whole huge moment with August, thanking Marlena and Jacob for saving the show by getting Rosie ready to go. Expensive gifts and such, it’s too much for me, so I def understand why it’s too much for Jacob.

Rosie and Marlena are perfect in their first debut. And the money starts pouring back in. Jacob goes off to meet the two, and tell Marlena how great she was, causing an awkward moment between the two. Marlena ask Jacob to then bring Rosie over to her dressing tent for a surprise after the show.

Marlena has planned a whole party for the four of them, complete with food and champagne.  August walks in, catching them off guard in their preparing, and he loses it. He thinks Marlena and Jacob were, well, “celebrating” and he loses it. He’s smashing stuff and going crazy. There is this moment with the mirror where he says “Peek a boo, I see you” and I swear, I AM scared of August.

Then he pushes Marlena to the ground and drags her by the necklace he just gave her. Jacob tackles him, and they fight. Marlena and Rosie can’t so anything more other then watch. Finally, Grady and Bill come in and pull Jacob off August and out. Jacob is ready to go and fight, but it’s Walter that ultimately pulls him away. Walter takes him back and starts cleaning him up, and Jacob tells him what happened. How August just snapped.

There are worries that they’ll come and get Jacob, but once the train takes off, Walter relaxes. Until they hear footsteps on the roof, and someone drop outside the door. Luckily, it’s Marlena. Walter lets her in, and she has her own injuries from August’s fit. When Marlena tries to leave, both Jacob and Walter tell her to stay. Then she starts crying. Jacob pulls her outside the room for privacy to talk. She tells Jacob she’s leaving August, and she’ll be staying in a hotel till room is made in the girl’s bunk. Marlena won’t leave the show, because she fears her family won’t have her.