Deacon King Kong

Elefante and Melissa, who are now dating, pick up Sportcoat who they think can lead them to the Venus. Elefante is happier than he’s ever been with Melissa by his side, and he’s more motivated than ever to find the Venus. At first, he found Melissa to be shy, but as he got to know her, he recognized that her reticent manner is one that belies confidence and trust. While courting Melissa, Elefante takes notice of how respectfully Melissa treats her employees at the bagel factory. Because she treats them with kindness, respect, and understanding, they treat her the same way.

This respectful attitude also carries over to how Melissa treats old people, including Sportcoat. Elefante notices that Melissa calls the old deacon “Mister Sportcoat” and never refers to him as “colored” or “Negro” the way many other white people, including Elefante himself, often do. At first, Elefante worries that such behavior is “dangerous, odd, and foreign,” but he quickly warms up to it.

Thinking about “dangerous, odd, and foreign” matters shifts Elefante’s focus to Bunch Moon. Although there’s been no official confirmation, Elefante heard that Joe Peck had Bunch killed. This is yet another brutal act of violence in what Elefante sees as an endless drug war, which will only continue to take lives. However, despite the danger that surrounds him, Elefante is happy to have found love. Love makes everything else tolerable to him; it helps him block out the outside noise and focus on the one person whom he cares for unequivocally. For the first time in his life, Elefante no longer feels lonely.

Elefante and Melissa’s courtship was initially strange because it was a first for both of them. However, the two quickly got on, and their dinner plans quickly turned into extended dates featuring lengthy conversations and joy. Elefante immediately felt that the two of them were in love. However, now, while driving to Sportcoat in the middle of the night, he knows it for sure. Before, Elefante thought that he should never have a business partner because they would weigh him down. Now, however, with Melissa by his side, he feels stronger and more capable than ever before.

While on their way to Sportcoat, Elefante thinks about a recent visit he paid to Sister Paul after Sportcoat insisted that they meet. At first, Sister Paul did not like Elefante—she thought he didn’t live up to his father’s name. However, after Melissa assured Sister Paul that Elefante is a good man who is worthy of his father’s name, Sister Paul opened up to him.

Sister Paul told Melissa and Elefante about her life and the events surrounding the construction of the Five Ends Church, which finally allowed Elefante to discover the location of the Venus. Before Elefante left Sister Paul, he promised to send her some of the cheese that usually goes to the Cause. She also asked him to buy Mars bars for the security guard who watches over her and performs errands for her free of charge. Elefante agreed to do this as well.

Back in the present, Elefante and Melissa pick up Sportcoat and head to the Five Ends Church. Together, they chisel lightly into the Jesus mural in search of the Venus. Eventually, they manage find the statue hidden in a small metal box. Elefante is elated and promises to give Sportcoat enough money to replace the missing Christmas funds. He also promises to build a new church if that’s what the members of the Cause would like. As they talk, Elefante treats Sportcoat with great respect and even calls him “Mister Sportcoat.” At first, Sportcoat is taken aback by the title, and he asks Elefante to repeat himself. When Elefante obliges, hearing Elefante call him Mister Sportcoat fills the old deacon with warmth and a sense of shared humanity.