S goes about his job delivering the wine to the guests, managing to stay remarkably unnoticed. “He is quietly astonished at how easily invisibility can be achieved” (429). While he does so, he observes the guests themselves, noting that there is an odd air of suspicion, since most of the guests are extraordinarily powerful and vulnerable in this setting, and debauchery, since they are drunk and enjoying themselves. As they drink and caraouse, the guests also cut political and economic deals that likely have the potential to affect millions.

S recognizes some of the guests at the party, in particular noting “the former president of a Central American junta, a man he thought had died several years ago” (429). This man was very influential, and appears to have faked his death. Around the man are several members of his inner circle. The men have “ersatz-revolutionary scruffy hair and beards” (429), implying that they fight for common people, but they are also adorned with gold and at this party, which shows that they are more corrupt and selfish than revolutionary and selfless, like they pretend to be. This shows something about Vevoda’s guests-they are extremely powerful, and often corrupt. This reflects Straka’s views on the crony capitalists that he so fervently fought against.

For the third page in a row, there are no footnotes or notes in the margins from Jen and Eric.