Answers to questions about "working the city"

The author and Cato rebook their flights every week because it makes their dream seem real to them,it makes it tangible. The essay is written in the present tense because the author is still in Africa trying to "work the city" into funding he and Cato's dream of an American education. He refers to his hustling around the city, going door to door of banks and offices, dressing up to manipulate gaurd's perceptions of him as "working the city". I know they refered to USA as America for several reasons, first being they called it the "American dream" which we all know refers to immigrants coming to the USA in the pursuit of life,liberty, and happiness. Secondly the author mentioned that the scholarships he and Cato received were for universities in Ohio. Last but not least you never hear anyone refer to Canada, Guyana, or Honduras as America, its the short version of USA like calling Dunkin' Donuts "Dunkin". It is a literacy narrative because the entire story revolves around the letters they bonded over,write and deliver daily, and how the writing of the letters have given them purpose and hope in a country full of filth and despair.