Underground Business

"...Milo contracted with the American military authorities to bomb the Germna-held highway bridge at Orvieto and with the German military authorities to defend the highway bridge at Orvieto with antiaircraft fire against his own attack. His fee for attacking the bridge for America was the total cost of the operation plus six percent, and his fee from Germany for defending the bridge was the same cost-plus-six agreement augmented by a merit bonus of a thousand dollars for every American plane he shot down. "

Milo, a main character within the novel, is a symbol for the capitalist enterprise and the negative effects it has on the world. He begins a business that takes advantages of the countries that have put so many people's lifes at stake. Although his business starts out as harmless, as time progresses Milo becomes increasingly greedy. No longer regarding the life of his friends or well-being of his country, he conspires with the Germans to have the U.S. bombed, just to make a profit. This is symbolic of how corrupt capitalism can become and how easily people forget their morals in an attempt to make a profit. Eventually, the countries even become inferior to the power of Milo's business, as he is able to avoid flying on missions to work and run his business.