Summary

Chapter 22 begins back in Hello City, when Excel realized his 19th birthday had passed ten days ago. He insisted that it was not a big deal, and Sab remarked that she never knew his birthday. Sab suggested that they get dinner in El Centro to celebrate, but Excel feared the consequences of leaving Hello City, and proposed the Square instead. At the Square, Sab bought Excel a dollar’s worth of questions for the Oracle, and he asked about the prospects of his 19th year, whether he’d find steady work, and whether he would always be TNT. The Oracle answered promisingly and he reflected upon whether he should reveal his secret. At the town meeting, the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to Excel. He realized he had not received a birthday e-mail from Maxima, figuring that she had given up in attempting contact...