José is a Brazilian politician who originally shows up at Holly’s apartment because he’s dating Mag Wildwood. A man dedicated to his profession, José frequently travels in and out of New York City, often returning to Brazil or making trips to Washington, D.C. When the narrator learns that Rusty Trawler is about to get married to yet another woman, he rushes over to Holly’s apartment, assuming that she’s Rusty’s bride-to-be. However, José greets him when he arrives and explains that Rusty is marrying Mag Wildwood, not Holly. Apparently, Holly and José are happy about this, since it leaves them free to continue their relationship, which was previously unfolding in secret. In the ensuing weeks, José and Holly make plans to get married and move to Brazil. Holly also becomes pregnant, though she loses the baby after a rough day of riding horses in the park with the narrator. Worse, José abandons Holly after she’s arrested, writing a letter explaining that he can’t jeopardize his political career by continuing their relationship.