Four

Four is the novel’s point-of-view character. His real name is never stated; “Four” is the codename he uses while working on a job. Four is employed by a large, unnamed international company. The company sends him to a foreign (also unnamed) country with the task of paving a road using a high-tech paving vehicle. Four has a wife and children, and he is eager to finish the job quickly and safely so that he can return to them. Four’s guiding ethos is one of focus and professionalism. His main desires are to finish his job, adhere to professional guidelines, and limit potentially risky contact with local people in the country. Four has no interest in the country or its history; he is interested only in finishing his assigned task.

Four is deeply irritated by his assigned coworker, Nine. Nine freely interacts with the locals is not...