Looking for Alaska: 43. Twenty-Seven Days After Summary & Analysis

Four weeks after Alaska’s death, the Colonel decides that that he and Miles should steal the Eagle’s Breathalyzer and try to replicate Alaska’s intoxication level on her last night, so that they can understand what she would have been capable of doing. The Colonel asks Takumi for booze, and when Takumi says he’ll join them, the Colonel says that he and Miles need to do something alone. Takumi says he’s tired of their secrecy, and the Colonel promises to tell him everything tomorrow.

Miles knocks on the Eagle’s door to distract him so that the Colonel can run in and steal the Breathalyzer. Miles talks to the Eagle about how the Colonel is really struggling with Latin because he’s so grief-stricken. The Eagle tells Miles that he’s certain Alaska would have wanted the Colonel to do well in school. He also asks Miles if he’s up to anything, but Miles manages to distract him long enough for the Colonel to escape.

The Colonel spends the night trying to reach a .24 blood alcohol level so that he and Miles can figure out what Alaska would have been capable of doing in that state. They hear footsteps coming down the hall, and Miles tells the Colonel to cry just before the Eagle walks in. Miles lights a cigarette to cover the smell of alcohol, and when the Eagle comes in Miles tells him he was only smoking so he could stay awake with the Colonel. The Eagle tells Miles to report to Jury tomorrow. He leaves, and the Colonel keeps drinking until he reaches Alaska’s intoxication level. He is unable to stand up or walk in a straight line.