Playback by Elizabeth Massie Page B

was any living creature safe?
    Edison’s second reason for today’s events was decidedly personal. He knew some people—powerful people, prestigious people—were talking about him, making fun and belittling him behind his back. They were whispering among themselves, laughing that he was becoming weak and lazy. That he was paranoid and no longer able to actually go out and supervise any work himself, but relied completely on his employees to do everything for him.
    He couldn’t let anyone believe that. The thought that others would think less of him was unbearable.
    Edison felt his jaw tightening, and he turned back around on the platform to look at the elephant.
    Topsy had reached the fence and the generator. She sniffed the machine and then stretched her truck out toward one woman on the other side of the fence, as if she might have a treat. The woman giggled nervously and her husband yanked her back, scowling and cursing.
    “Watch your damnable creature, Forepaugh!” the husband shouted, though Forepaugh was nowhere to be seen. Probably watching through binoculars from one of Luna Park’s tall towers, apart but still present, counting heads and his winnings for the day.
    One of Edison’s technicians immediately went to work, attaching the chains to pulleys on the ground to keep the elephant from wandering away, and then attaching wires from the electric generator to the electrodes that protruded from the copper on the animal’s wooden sandals. Topsy didn’t protest. Perhaps she thought she was getting ready for a bath, something she enjoyed immensely. Once the connection was secured, the technicians and handlers got the hell out of the way.
    Jones hunched into the camera even farther, as if he could make the film better by the sheer intensity of his desire.
    The crowd went quiet. Even several squawking babes-in-arms stopped their crying. The world was suddenly as silent as one of Edison’s movies.
    They’ve come to watch a giant brought down
, Edison thought sourly as he locked eyes with the elephant for the briefest moment.
Humanity loves nothing more than to see something big and powerful brought to its knees and destroyed. Much like many of them would love to see me lose my fame and my position!
    Topsy lifted her right front foot and tried to shake the wooden sandal off. Then she dragged the end of her trunk along the cold and dusty ground, seeking something to eat.
    Edison faced the technician at the generator. The man raised his brow, his hand at the switch, awaiting the go-ahead.
    But I won’t be destroyed
, Edison thought. He balled his fists inside his coat pockets.
I will not let jealousy or circumstance be my ruin! I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my legacy and reputation. And I’m protecting the people of this great nation as I protect myself, though they might not realize or admit it. Shocking stray cats and electrocuting elephants to prove Westinghouse’s current is deadly! Creating a superior lightbulb, much better than anything that pompous British arse, Joseph Swan, claimed to have devised! Even paying those mercenary thugs Anderson, Keppie, and Quinn to get rid of Louis Le Prince! That damnable Frenchman! He dared to challenge me, and he lost! They all lost! I am still the world’s greatest inventor!
    Edison nodded.
    The technician threw the switch, sending 6,600 volts through the wires. Instantly, Topsy’s gigantic, leathery body stiffened, her head lifting and her trunk curling inward. Her eyes went white and huge. The audience behind the fencing gasped. Edison’s fists tightened even more.
    Smoke rose from each of Topsy’s feet, rapidly becoming a foul white sheet that caressed her legs and torso. She strained against the chains that held her in place. The stench of cooking flesh filled the air.
    So be it
, Edison thought.
This film will remind the world of who I am, what I’ve done. I will not be challenged! I will not be defeated!
    Topsy listed slowly to the right, and then