Chapters 27, 28, 29 Summary

In Chapter 27, all of the new hires receive their formal orientation. The chapter first examines the treatment of the rank-and-file new hires and focuses closely on David Cusk. As Cusk enters the conference room he carefully selects a seat that puts him near the exit, away from heat sources, and behind everyone else. Unfortunately for Cusk, shortly after that a woman enters the class and sits closely behind him; he deliberately avoids looking at her because he knows it will make him nervous and he doesn't want her to try to chat with him. Cusk spends the next few hours trying to pay attention to the orientation so that he will not focus on the woman and start sweating. He imagines her to be beautiful, young, and sexy, which is exactly the kind of woman that would make Cusk sweat. His mental gyrations...