On a late night in New York City, Weatherby stops for a whiskey on his way home from work at a nearby restaurant since his wife will not be home until later. His friend Giovanni is the bartender, and there is only one other man at the bar. While chatting with Giovanni, Weatherby is approached by the stranger who introduces himself as Sydney Gosdon, an antique-shop owner who worked with him years ago. Weatherby does not recognize his name but vaguely remembers working with the antique shop. He notes Gosdon’s polite and effeminate appearance and senses that he is somewhat desperate for company. Gosdon begins talking about his wife and how he proposed to her at the same restaurant they are sitting in. Suddenly, Gosdon asks if he has ever killed a man. Weatherby is shocked by the question and notices that Giovanni, who stands quietly on the other side of the bar, seems to want him to keep Gosdon company. Weatherby talks about his time in World War I, and Gosdon further asks him about his opinion on capital punishment before leaving the bar to make a telephone call. While he is gone, Giovanni explains that Gosdon infamously found the body of his wife in their home after she was murdered and raped. The phone call that he left for was to confirm the execution of the murderer, who was set to be electrocuted that night. When Gosdon comes back, Weatherby is much more empathetic about keeping him company. Gosdon comments that Giovanni must have told Weatherby the details about his wife’s murder. He says the murderer is dead now and that when his wife was being murdered, all the neighbor’s dismissed the screams as normal noises in the city. He thanks Weatherby for listening to him, especially since so many started to avoid him after the murder. Weatherby returns home after the unexpected encounter and finds his wife already in bed. He makes extra sure to lock the door and goes to sleep thinking that everyone should be more understanding of the noises in the city.