The Gang's All Here — Chapter 40 Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Dick Eikenborn flies to Puerto Rico with his daughter Victoria, who plans to volunteer with FEMA. As their plane descends, Victoria remarks on the devastation—FEMA tarps where roofs once were, the island a patchwork of electric blue. Dick, though concerned about operations, is secretly pleased by Victoria's rare show of interest in his life; she had asked to tag along after hearing he was coming. He drops her at FEMA headquarters and boards a helicopter to tour his ten damaged Eikenborn & Sons retail locations.

At the stores, Dick finds that many local employees couldn't make it to work due to blocked roads, lack of gas, or personal tragedies. His head of retail has been flying in managers from the mainland. Several locations suffered significant flood damage, leaving equipment and lumber in questionable condition. A plan to give away the “irregular” supplies was scrapped due to liability concerns, and the damaged goods will be destroyed to collect insurance—though the communications team delays this to avoid bad press. Dick reflects that storms like this hurt his bottom line short-term but are “money in the bank” long-term, recalling how profitable his New Orleans stores were after Katrina and his Texas locations after Harvey. He sees a massive opportunity for Eikenborn Green Solutions, especially given the long lines of people seeking generators and solar-powered lights.

After the tour, Dick's helicopter lands on the lawn of Nick Selby's Puerto Rican estate, which has survived the hurricane largely intact. Nick greets him, and inside, the house is cool and dry, with the Rolling Stones playing. Nick credits his solar grid and shatter-resistant glass. Over rum, Nick brings up Dick's recent breakup with his “spicy little girlfriend,” and Dick admits they broke up, though he's hoping to reconcile. Nick dismisses her, saying she doesn't come from the best “stock,” and hints that her brother is a “team player.”

A few hours later, Dick joins Nick's dinner with a group Nick calls “stakeholders in the New Puerto Rico.” The guests include an energy undersecretary named Manny, two PROMESA board members, an airline executive named Linda, a man named Pedro from PREPA, a woman named Carmen from the water company, and investors: Dieter (cryptocurrency), Dennis (bond debt), Kirk (an Ayn Rand society), and Nick's older brother Arthur. Nick toasts to Acts 20 and 22, which allow him to claim Puerto Rican residency and pay zero taxes on capital gains, and he pitches a vision of a “stateless society” where free markets and contracts create social order. He outlines a plan to profit from the disaster: limit solar work to private estates, let the population decline, and attract wealthy newcomers. He assures the group that the current U.S. administration supports their plans, with the nonnegotiable condition that PREPA's rebuild contract goes to a shell corp owned by a major donor's nephew.

Dick questions the plan, arguing that Puerto Ricans should have options beyond PREPA and that solar could be a major win for the island. Nick counters that Dick's future customers are the wealthy, not the general population, and that those who can't stick it out will leave, freeing up coastal land. Linda from the airline looks uncomfortable, but Arthur reassures her. Dick then raises the issue of congressional oversight, specifically mentioning Congressman Acevedo, who is known for investigating and holding hearings. Nick and Arthur claim they have leverage over Acevedo, and Nick introduces Agent Bonilla, who carries a manila file about Acevedo's roots. The chapter ends with Bonilla about to share this information.

Key Events

Dick and Victoria fly to Puerto Rico; Victoria plans to volunteer with FEMA.
Dick tours his damaged stores, sees the extent of the damage, and plans to destroy goods for insurance.
Dick arrives at Nick's estate, which survived the hurricane largely intact.
Nick and Dick discuss Dick's breakup and Nick's dismissive comments about his ex-girlfriend.
Nick hosts a dinner with stakeholders, toasts to Acts 20 and 22, and pitches a plan to profit from the disaster.
Dick questions the plan, citing congressional oversight and Congressman Acevedo.
Nick and Arthur claim they have leverage over Acevedo and introduce Agent Bonilla with a file.

Character Development

Dick Eikenborn is torn between his business instincts and a flicker of moral concern. He sees the hurricane as an opportunity for his solar company, yet he questions Nick's plan to exclude the general population. His relationship with Victoria reveals a softer side—he's eager for her approval and hurt by her distance. His breakup with his ex-girlfriend (likely Olga) lingers, and he's still hoping to reconcile.
Nick Selby is the embodiment of disaster capitalism: ruthless, charming, and utterly cynical. He views the hurricane as a chance to reshape Puerto Rico into a playground for the wealthy, and he's willing to use blackmail to achieve his goals. His toast to Acts 20 and 22 underscores his self-serving interpretation of tax incentives.
Arthur Selby is Nick's enabler, calmly reinforcing Nick's plans and reassuring uneasy guests like Linda. He's complicit in the scheme to leverage Acevedo.
Victoria is idealistic and committed to humanitarian work, but she's also naive about her father's business practices. Her presence highlights the contrast between the Eikenborns' wealth and the island's suffering.
Manny, Pedro, and the other officials are portrayed as corrupt or passive, nodding along to Nick's plans without substantive objection.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Disaster capitalism: The chapter explicitly depicts how crises are exploited for profit. Nick's plan to let the population decline and attract wealthy newcomers is a textbook example of using catastrophe to reshape society.
Privatization and stateless society: Nick's vision of a “stateless society” where free markets rule reflects a libertarian ideology that disregards public welfare. The solar grid on his estate symbolizes the privatization of essential services—only the wealthy have power.
Elite impunity: The dinner guests operate with a sense of entitlement, believing they can bypass democratic oversight. The mention of the U.S. administration's support and the shell corp for PREPA underscores corruption at the highest levels.
Colonialism: Puerto Rico is treated as a “playground” for the wealthy, echoing colonial dynamics. Nick's claim to be a “bona fide puertorriqueño” through tax incentives mocks the island's history.
Climate change as opportunity: Dick's reflection that storms are “money in the bank” and Nick's plan to profit from the disaster highlight how climate change is seen as a business opportunity rather than a crisis.
Blackmail and leverage: The file Agent Bonilla carries represents the use of personal information to control politicians, a motif of corruption that will likely have consequences.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal because it exposes the antagonists' plans for Puerto Rico in stark detail. It reveals the extent to which wealthy elites intend to exploit the hurricane's aftermath, and it introduces the threat to Congressman Acevedo, who is a key figure in the novel's political landscape. For Dick, the chapter deepens his internal conflict: he's drawn to the profit potential but uneasy about the ethical implications. The introduction of Agent Bonilla and the file on Acevedo sets up a major conflict that will likely affect Olga and her family. The chapter also humanizes Dick, showing his vulnerability in his relationship with Victoria and his lingering feelings for his ex-girlfriend, which adds complexity to his character.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Dick's reaction to the hurricane's damage reflect his business mindset, and what does it reveal about his character?

Dick's immediate thoughts are about insurance, operations, and long-term profit. He notes that storms are “money in the bank” and sees an opportunity for his solar company. This reveals his pragmatic, capitalist worldview, but also his ability to compartmentalize human suffering. His later questioning of Nick's plan suggests a glimmer of moral concern, but it's still framed in terms of market opportunity.

2. What is Nick's vision for Puerto Rico, and how does he justify it?

Nick envisions a “stateless society” where free markets and contracts create order, and he wants to limit solar work to private estates while letting the population decline. He justifies it by claiming that those who can't stick it out will leave, freeing up land for wealthy newcomers. He frames it as an opportunity for the “free-market enthusiasts” at the table, and he dismisses the needs of the general population.

3. Why does Dick bring up Congressman Acevedo, and what does Nick's response reveal about the power dynamics at play?

Dick brings up Acevedo because he knows the congressman is a vocal advocate for Puerto Rico and would likely oppose the plan. Nick's response—claiming they have leverage and introducing Agent Bonilla with a file—reveals that the elites are willing to use blackmail to neutralize political opposition. This shows that the power dynamics are heavily skewed toward the wealthy, who can manipulate even elected officials.