A Clean, Well-Lighted Place

A Clean, Well-Lighted Place Summary | Detailed Summary

This story begins in a café. It is late at night and the café's two waiters are watching their last customer, an old man. The old man, who is deaf, is a regular customer who tends to leave without paying his bill when he drinks too much. The two waiters suspect he is already drunk and so they keep a close watch on him.

As they watch, they discuss the old man's recent suicide attempt. One waiter comments that the man's despair could not have been over money, since he seemed to have plenty. As they talk, the waiters notice a soldier and a young woman pass by and they comment on the fact that the soldier is likely breaking curfew.

When the old man indicates he wants another drink, the waiter protests, saying he is already drunk. The old man insists and so that waiter retreats back inside the café to get the brandy. As he is getting the bottle, he complains to his colleague that he is tired and wishes to go home. He also comments that he would already be on his way home if the old man had succeeded in killing himself.

Returning to the old man's table, he fills the glass. As he fills the glass, he tells the man that he should have killed himself the previous week. Using his finger, the old man indicates that he would like more. The waiter fills his glass so that it overflows. The old man thanks the waiter.

Returning to his colleague, the waiter comments that the old man is drunk. The two men again discuss the old man's failed suicide attempt, noting it was his niece who discovered and saved him.

The waiter again expresses his desire to go home, saying his wife is home waiting for him. His colleague comments that the old man may have had a wife at one time as well. Noting that the old man must be nearly 80 years of age, the first waiter says he doesn't wish to live that long. His co-worker comments on the old man's cleanliness and ability to drink without spilling, despite the fact that he is drunk.

The old man motions for another brandy and the waiter that is anxious to go home goes to his table to tell him that the café has closed. The old man asks again for another drink, but the waiter is firm and finally, the old man pays for his drinks and leaves.

The waiter's colleague questions why the old man was not permitted to remain in the café to drink. The waiter replies that he is tired and wishes to go home. He tells his co-worker that if the old man wishes to drink more, he can buy a bottle and drink it at home.

His co-worker comments that drinking brandy at home is not the same as drinking it at the café. He then jokes with the waiter, asking him if he was fearful of returning home earlier than normal. The waiter replies that he is not fearful, in fact, he is confident.

In the exchange that follows, we learn that the waiter is a young, married, confident man while his co-worker is unmarried, older and lacks self-confidence.

The younger waiter replies that he would rather go home and go to bed. The older waiter notes that they are different and speaks of his reluctance to close the café each night due to his fear that there might be someone who needs it. When the younger waiter tells him that there are bodegas for that purpose, the older waiter argues that their café differs from the bodegas because it is clean and pleasant.

The two men go their separate ways. Alone with his thoughts, the older waiter thinks about the importance of keeping the café well lighted, clean and pleasant. He decides that music is not needed in order to keep the mood pleasant.

Rather than returning home, the older waiter goes to a bar for a drink. He comments to the barman that the place is well lit and pleasant, but points out that the bar is dirty. The barman does not answer.

After finishing his drink, the waiter leaves and returns home. He decides that when he arrives there, he will lie in bed and wait for daylight before falling asleep.