Section 2 (pages 14-26) Summary

Ouisa tells Flan not to think about Elephants, whatever he does. She heads off to the door. Geoffrey asks Flan, who is an art dealer, about the Cezanne. Flan begins a textbook explanation of the elements of color and composition in the painting. He ends by commenting that his Japanese clients don't like the painting, except that they do like the fact that it's a Cezanne.

The doorman enters the room supporting Paul, a young black man, who had been at the door. Paul is well dressed and handsome, in his early 20s, but he has clearly been beaten. He is bleeding through his Brooks Brothers shirt. Ouisa follows them, puzzled. The doorman assists Paul to the sofa where he is seated. The doorman waits.

Paul explains that he has been hurt and is a friend of their children...