New York City

The novel’s main narrative is explicitly set in New York City. The novel uses the city’s multiculturalism and chaotic atmosphere as a representation of those same elements as present in much of American culture. Milo’s various personal and work responsibilities take him to various locations throughout the city, although the novel does not often clearly state the geographical position of each location.

Mediocre University at New York

Milo works in the fundraising department of a university, which he consistently refers to as Mediocre University at New York, or just mediocre University for short. The novel never reveals the university’s actual name. Milo is not a very effective fundraiser, and the office politics are generally quite opaque. Even after Purdy makes a large donation to the university and requests that Milo keep his job, Milo is soon laid off due to department downsizing...