The Milo Minderbinder subplot will play an important part in the rest of the novel. Heller uses Milo to satirize the graft and corruption of capitalism gone amok. When Milo becomes the new mess officer, he finds a perfect opportunity to put his larcenous talents to work. He is a virtuous man, we are told, a man of principle who wants only the best for his men — as long as it is really best for himself. One of his moral principles is that it is "never a sin to charge as much as the traffic [will] bear."
Heller again delights in manipulating logic and language. When Milo discovers that Yossarian has a letter from Doc Daneeka stating that Yossarian is to have "all the dried fruit and fruit juices he wants," Milo is overwhelmed at the possibilities for procurement. He tries, in vain, to persuade Yossarian to permit Milo to put the supplies on the black market. Yossarian is allowed the fruit because he has a liver condition; but if he eats fruit, the liver condition could get better. Therefore, he refuses to eat the fruit. Milo struggles with the concept:
"Now I do see," said Milo. "Fruit is bad for your liver?"
"No, fruit is good for my liver. That's why I never eat any."
Yossarian gives the fruit to other men in the squadron, including Nately who passes it on to his favorite prostitute (and her little sister) in Rome. They trade it for "flashy costume jewelry and cheap perfume." Milo is distraught but will be more successful in other negotiations.
