Summary

Chapter 12, “The Feather,” describes J.B.’s arrival in Brazil. Along with an interpreter and a “French bird professor” (73) named Michelle Mabelle, J.B. meets with Mané Pena. Mané Pena is shocked by the sight of J.B.’s third arm, and decides that Americans are “more advanced!” (74). Meanwhile, J.B. struggles with Brazil’s lack of organization and begins to doubt “his effectiveness in the Third World” (75). J.B. has GGG’s entire 23-story skyscraper imported to Brazil, along with much of the staff. As consultants, Mané Pena and Michelle Mabelle help GGG narrow down “key feather distributors” (78). GGG hopes to make feathers a “part of American life, like coffee and orange juice at breakfast or potato chips and dip” (78). Meanwhile, Mané Pena becomes a university lecturer and renowned “featherology” expert.

In Chapter 13, “Pilgrim’s Progress,” Chico Paco...