Enter E. and A.

[Introduced here as the nameless roadtripping companions]

E., who had the Japanese roommate at the hostel who brushed his teeth for ten minutes at a time. Twenty-one and an economic consultant in New York. Wire frame glasses and a concentrating expression. Looks sort of like a grown-up Bleeker. Studied math at Reed. Favorite drink is soy milk - says getting it for free at work is the best thing his company could possibly offer, and the fact that it's mine as well must be why we get along. Very intelligent, sardonic, and (I suspect) kind.

A. is the only person with his name in all of Iceland (we look him up in the phone book, which is for the whole country and goes alphabetically by first name). Nineteen, a freshman at Northeastern because he took a gap year to travel. He's skinny and has a long neck, dark hair, slightly protruding ears, and an easy sense of humor. He made himself a Thanksgiving dinner in the hostel kitchen. His suitcase, whence he offers Absolut, is "embarassingly large." One of those people who by virtue of their expressions and way of speaking seems perpetually stoned.