Chapter 4 Summary

A week into the job, Ignatius has lettered a sign proclaiming his proprietorship of the file cabinets. Gonzalez wonders when Ignatius might begin dealing with the filing backlog. Ignatius thinks it best not to risk plague by interfering with a large rat devouring the Abelman's Dry Goods folder, and his misbehaving valve prevents him from reaching the lower drawers. The tiny-wheeled stool Gonzalez produces collapses under Ignatius' weight. Determined to right "Gloria" (as she calls Ignatius), Trixie topples onto Ignatius just as Gus Levy arrives to collect his mail. Gonzalez introduces the owner to his bright new employee. Ignatius declares he has an unusual interest in Levy's firm and has many innovations in mind.

Gonzalez asks Levy to sign a letter he has drafted to the troublesome Abelman's Dry Goods, crooks demanding redress for a defective shipment. Levy tells Gonzalez to sign as...