“Take back your things. You may call me Ralph, as she does,” said the Keeper as it led him into an office.
“Why aren’t I dead?”
“I try not to slaughter children if I can help it. I have some limited leeway in interpreting my authority.” The voice paused for a moment. “In the absence of a director, I’m in charge of the Zoo.”
Michael nodded. He stared around the room. He was still in shock at seeing a real, live elephant. The talking seemed kind of extra.
The Keeper remained outside the office and the voice resumed speaking from the ceiling.
“Please sit down.”
Michael sat down. “How come you still have lights? The only places still lit up are the Zoo and the Cathedral.”
“I’m still able to negotiate with Union Electric. Not many places can guarantee fire safety.”
Michael had no clue what the voice was talking about. “It’s warm,” he said tentatively.
“With light comes heat. Now, what is your name?”

Near-future science fiction set in a de-populated world after most of the human race has been killed in a series of plagues, both man-made and natural. Jackie's-Boy is the story of a boy and a talking elephant heading south from Saint Louis as the robotic keepers will not be able to protect the remaining animals in the zoo once the power finally fails. Their first target is an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee, but if they don't find any elephants there, they intend to carry on to Florida, as Jackie will be able to find plenty of food there all year round.

Considering how worried Michael was about travelling with tons of walking meat, they had surprisingly little trouble with other people on their journey, and their main obstacles were missing bridges and other out of place animals. I found the story very enjoyable, but who wouldn't like a story about an irritable talking elephant on a mission? ( )

A boy finds a place in a dangerous future world with the help of a talking elephant. An original variation on the post-apocalyptic story. ( )