The Accidental Billionaires (Pg. 1-40)

Summary:
The novel opens with Eduardo, who is at a party for a highly exclusive club called the Phoenix. The Phoenix is for wealthy guys with a legacy to live up to. However, Eduardo is Jewish, and doesn't have a real legacy to live up to. After conversing with a Phoenix member and lying about his knowledge in business, he comes across Mark Zuckerberg. Eduardo views him as socially awkward, and being out of place from the party. Later on, Eduardo sees Mark at a party again. He explains that Mark is a genius hacker, writing several of his own programs. As they both leave the party, Eduardo comments to the readers about Mark's lack of emotion in his words. The book then centers on Tyler and Cameron, twin brothers as they practice rowing early in the morning. They both are amazing at rowing, being the best at Harvard, and members of the Porcellian Club. Besides this, they are working on a side project with their friend, Divya. Their side project, Harvard Connection, is interrupted by their programmer, Victor, quitting. The three of them then seek out someone else with advanced computer skills. The story then jumps back to Eduardo as he quietly enters a lecture hall with a crate beside him. He spots Mark dozing off, and sits right next to him. Mark notices the crate, and lifts the blanket covering it. Instantly, it's obvious a live chicken is inside, as it starts making noise and flutters. The chicken is a final task for soon-to-be Phoenix members, as they have to ensure its safety, and carry it with them everywhere. Eduardo makes the silly decision to feed the chicken...chicken one day, which two members of the Porcellian Club witness. As a prank, they accuse the Phoenix of forcing its new members to torture live chicken, creating a scandal. As the whole thing blows over, Eduardo reminds Mark of a double date they both are having the same night.

Quotation:
"Eduardo knew, as he said it, how foolish the idea sounded. Phoenix members weren’t going to get excited about this awkward kid because of some computer program. You didn’t get popular by writing computer code. A computer program couldn’t get you laid. You got popular—and sometimes laid—by going to parties, hanging out with pretty girls." (Mezrich 19)

Reaction:
It reveals how Eduardo is aware of the elitism and popularity level needed for the Phoenix, contrasted with Mark's personality. It also hints at how Eduardo views himself slightly superior, because of his eligibility to Phoenix.