One spring, Robert, a young Black man who aspires to be a writer, takes a job as a janitor at a building near Harvard Square to make extra money. He is also dating Jean, an upper-class white girl. James, the old janitor who worked there for thirty years, stays as a superintendent while Robert is being trained. James also lives in the building with his abusive wife Meg, who suffers from a mental illness, and their pet dog. Robert is interested in the stories of the people living in the building, but has trouble learning anything until he talks to James, who knows most of the tenants. Miss O'Hara has been living in the building longer than James and wants to get rid of him. She thinks he and his wife should be evicted because they are extremely untidy and noisy. Meg swore loudly and often, and was usually accompanied by the barking of their dog. Over time, a friendship of sorts develops between James and Robert. Robert introduces James to Jean, but he lies about her name and thinks that James doesn't like their relationship because they are mixed race and from different class backgrounds. James begins to call Robert in the middle of the night and invites him down to the basement for a drink. Robert reluctantly joins him and listens to the old man rant for hours on a variety of subjects. James says that he doesn't expect to live another year. When Robert tells Jean about his conversations with James, she thinks they are a waste of time, but Robert thinks James's story might be of value to him as a writer. As the summer draws on, Robert and Jean feel enough pressure from society to break off their relationship. Meanwhile, at the building, Miss O'Hara successfully organizes a petition to get James and Meg's dog taken away by the property manager. James calls Robert and invites him to his apartment, where Robert had never entered due to its uncleanliness. Despite this, Robert goes, where he finds the couple crying over the loss of their pet. When Robert tries to sympathize with them, they tell him that he is young, but they are almost out of time, so their problems are much greater. In September, James begins visiting Robert several times a day. Robert begins to take a liking to the old man. He learns that James is quite well-read, and if his circumstances had been different he could have been an important figure. Despite not being able to write lately and losing his girlfriend, Robert sleeps peacefully during the nights, taking joy in his youth and life and potential that the friendship with James has made him appreciate.