You're not sure if you heard correctly-"y-you would like me to w-w-w-ipe you down??", you stammer. Branch pauses and looks suspiciously at you, "No...not I...Mei...Outside...", Branch says evenly, as he motions his head towards the window. You look out the window and you see a baby elephant in the back yard, near the barn. "Mei is an orphan elephant my family adopted from Africa". Puffing out your chest, throwing your shoulders back, you say "I thought it was something like that...when you said 'wipe me down' I thought it was prob-", you realize Branch has stopped listening to you. He walks out of the room shaking his head. Now the two of you are outback next to the elephant. Mei The Elephant's trunk snakes out in search of Branch's mouth, who gives the orphan animal a playful kiss on the snout. "Take this bucket of water and sponge and wipe the elephant down", directs Branch, "I'll be in the kitchen mixing up a protein shake" Branch looks again at you and frowns. Again shaking his head, he makes his way toward the house. You start scrubbing the elephant, who enjoys the wipedown. "Gosh, Mei", you start talking it, "Branch must be thinking poorly of me now. I thought he said 'wipe me down, but he really meant 'Mei". You wipe dejectedly, plotting the next move. Gaining back the Big Man's trust is imperative. All of a sudden, you smell smoke!
