Dr. Fairley, a metallurgical consultant, attends as many conferences and symposiums as possible to stay current on the latest technology in his field. When he does so, however, he has to avoid the heated debates between the academics interested in pure science and those interested in applied science. Dr. Fairley wants to avoid picking a side, as he is friendly with everyone.

On a trip from South Station to Chicago for a conference, he sees Professor Sanborn, the unofficial leader of the pores, and Professor Keel, the leader of the applied. Professor Sanborn is with a stranger whom Dr. Fairley had never seen before. Sanborn tells him that it is Professor Black, a new recruit from Cambridge University, who, despite his youth, is already respected for his work in the field.

That night on the train, when Fairley enters the train's washroom, he sees Professor Black preparing for bed. Black enters the bathroom, and Professor Keel comes in with a bottle of bourbon. After he gives Fairley a drink, Professor Sanborn enters to brush his teeth. Professor Black enters the bathroom, goes to the sink, and fills the three basins with water. Professor Keel gives Black a paper cup of bourbon and then asks about his position on applied versus pure science. Professor Black begins by providing a long explanation of his position. While he does so, he strips down and then begins bathing by laying across the sink counter and fitting into the three basins.

After a while, Sanborn gets up to go to bed, as it is after midnight, but Black stops him, telling him to hear him out. Sanborn stays. Black says he prefers pure science, but the difference between them has been overemphasized. He gives an example, which Sanborn critiques. Then, Professor Keel states that pure science doesn't exist until it applies to something. This exacerbates Sanborn, who realizes that Professor Black will not add anything new to the current debate, so he leaves, followed by Keel. As they leave, Black finishes his bath and starts getting dressed.

With Dr. Fairley still in the washroom, Black begins talking about how the Cold War could be made pure if the US and the USSR didn't bother wasting resources on attacking each other but instead blew themselves up. Uninterested in this debate, Dr. Fairley asks Black about the bath, thinking he might take one himself. Black shows him how to position himself in the three sinks for the most comfort.