On a snowless winter, a man named Berger is running his loan shop. One day, an impoverished young man comes to Berger's shop, and immediately is cynical of Berger's amiability and happiness. At the cashier counter, Berger waits patiently for the young man to speak. As Berger sets his hands on the counter, the young man looks in sadness and frustration at how Berger's hands are old but still well-fed, while his young hands are starved.   Berger asks the young man if he is selling something. The young man begins to talk about himself. He says his name is Ray Gorman, he is twenty-seven years old and an American citizen, and has not eaten in four days. He says he could not find work. He tells Berger he has sold all he owns, except what he is about to give him. The young man puts down a flat package gently on the counter. When the young man denies he brought a medal, Berger says he's glad, as he has received many war veteran medals. The young man claims his father has one of the best medals.   The young man unwraps the package and reveals a phonograph record in very good condition. The young man asks if he can get anything for it since he has been hungry for days. Berger questions the label-less record disc, and the young man says it has no music or words, but it is better that way to "keep the beast back." Berger asks more about the beast. The young man says that if you laugh at the beast, it will not overcome you, and if you flee it, it will follow you forever. The young man says he does not need laughter in his life anymore. He asks Berger if he has a phonograph to show him the record. He assures Berger that listening to the record has meant much to him.   They put the disc on an old gramophone from the shop and hear a cacophony of loud and chaotic laughter, one with a "clean spirit" singing within it. After they shut it off, the room suddenly feels different as it has remnants and feelings of that laughter. Berger feels inexplicably moved because he had shut himself up against such feelings long ago. Berger offers five dollars for the record, but the young man believes it is too little. He says goodbye to Berger and says he will leave him laughter. After the young man leaves, Berger feels the encounter was strange for a man like him who has always led a quiet life.