At a bar in the 1940s, a bartender named Max and Henry, a “little man,” anticipate someone named Pete to arrive. A lady named Ethel overhears Max and says Pete is her friend. Henry says that Pete is his son.

Henry says that Pete hasn’t been home in two weeks and that he’s been dissatisfied with his life. Pete comes to the bar every night after midnight, so they wait for him. Ethel says she finds Pete’s dream to be an actor fascinating. Henry says Pete is not even 17 yet. Henry asks Ethel if she’s been giving Pete money, to which she says yes. He warns her that Pete will make her unhappy, that he is very sensitive and capable of doing anything, potentially even murder. He admits that Pete is ashamed of him. Ethel reveals she is marrying Pete in two days. Henry says he won’t interfere, and leaves.   Pete doesn’t show up, and at 2 AM, Ethel prepares to head out. Max thinks that he wants to marry her. Later, Pete arrives, exclaiming to Max that he fell in love with a fourteen-year-old working at a florist’s. He had gone there that day to get flowers for his parents but believed his father was working overtime. Pete says he wants to one day open a bar to interact with all kinds of people. He tells Max he might not come for a while because his house is over three miles away. He says goodbye to Max, and Max locks the bar and heads home.