Dr. Toby Greene is a psychiatrist at an asylum. Greene is gradually drawn into a psychological mind game by patient Michael, whom he is interviewing about the disappearance of Green's colleague, Dr. James Lawrence. Michael, a disturbed young man, the son of an opera singer and a distant father he has only seen once, has an aura of charm about him and displays signs of rationality and intelligence that draws the doctor deeper in to his stories, despite warnings by head nurse Susan Peterson to keep a distance from the patient. Greene is somewhat distracted by issues in his own life, as tensions with his wife, Olivia, are made worse when she appears at the hospital unannounced. At the same time, Greene and Peterson are slowly developing an emotional connection. Michael draws Greene into his plot by convincing him not to read his files, but rather form his own opinion based on what Michael has to offer in explanations. Michael continues revealing his troubled experiences with his parents. The elephant connection is from his sole meeting with his father in a nature reserve, when the father kills an elephant in front of his son. The incident traumatized the very young Michael, as does his mother's cold attitude and her distancing herself from him for her singing career. Michael claimed he "killed his mother" by refusing to call an ambulance for her when she injected an overdose of pills, instead singing to her the "elephant song" until she died on the floor. Michael discusses the circumstances of his forced stay in the hospital, hinting at improper doctor-patient relationships involving him and Lawrence, and a bizarre love-hate relationship with Peterson. Michael's ploys also include an attempt to negotiate his early release from hospital in return for divulging the circumstances of Dr. Lawrence's disappearance. Michael eventually convinces Greene to exchange a box of chocolates for a note Michael has concealed, which will reveal what has happened to Lawrence. The note states that Lawrence has simply gone to be with his sick sister. While Greene phones Lawrence and confirms the situation, Peterson enters the room and notices the chocolates, nervously screaming that Michael knows he is strongly allergic to the nuts in the chocolates. She and Greene quickly administer adrenaline shots and attempt resuscitation, but Michael dies. When Lawrence returns, he confirms that he loved Michael, but not in the manner that Michael had implied. Greene resigns and Peterson is suspended for a period. The film ends with Greene and Peterson meeting and sitting together, holding hands.
