Jeff Miller, a 54 year old man who lives in New York City, is excited that he finally has a job. Like many people during the Great Depression, he has suffered and has been jobless for a while. Miller's excited to tell his wife the good news. He decides to have a celebratory meal and get Oyster Stew at a bar. However, as he walks to get his meal, he spots a homeless man the same age as him, muttering to himself unintelligibly. This causes Miller to be consumed with guilt. He decides not to get the meal and go home. His excitement to tell his wife the good news also fades. Miller ruminates on how everyone has been affected and fears that he will never recover from the stress that the Depression has caused him. Additionally, he reveals that his wife had been living away when he was jobless, and he imagines how his wife would react when he told the news. In the elevator, his mental state grows worse and worse. Without thinking, Miller embarrasses himself in front of the elevator operator, and announces to him that he has his job back. As he steps off the elevator, he begins to feel calmer about having his career back.