In "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place," an atmospheric tension unfolds late at night in a quiet cafe. The narrative pivots around an old man and two waiters, exploring themes of loneliness, existential despair, and contrasting perspectives on life’s meaning. As the story progresses, the waiters’ differing attitudes towards their elderly customer reveal deeper insights into their own characters.

The Late-Night Cafe Scene

At this late hour, the cafe rests in silence, save for the old man—the last patron—who is visibly intoxicated. The two waiters, one young and the other older, cast their eyes upon him. Their muted conversation unveils a poignant detail about the old man's life; the older waiter shares that the old man attempted suicide the prior week. As they watch the world pass by, including a soldier with a young woman, they speculate on the soldier’s chances of evading capture due to the curfew.

The Young Waiter's Impatience

Driven by impatience, the young waiter chooses to disregard the needs of the old man, who signals for another drink. Eager to leave, the waiter defies the unspoken rule that one must wait until the last customer departs on their own accord. He feigns ignorance of the old man's request, causing the old man to repeat his desire out loud. Reluctantly bringing the drink, the young waiter spitefully spills it. His disdain is evident when he cruelly remarks, "You should have killed yourself last week," knowing full well that the old man is deaf. Through these acts, the young waiter's character is sharply drawn—selfish and lacking empathy.

Contrasting Conversations

The waiters engage in a strained dialogue concerning the old man’s plight and previous suicide attempt. This conversation is periodically interrupted, culminating in the younger waiter bluntly instructing the old man to leave. Through their exchanges, we glean insights about the young waiter: he is brimming with confidence, married, employed, and generally satisfied with his lot. He rationalizes his harsh behavior, arguing that cafes are not meant to be all-night sanctuaries, and that the old man should graciously allow the waiters to retire to their homes.

In contrast, the older waiter bears a resemblance to the old man. He lives alone, battles insomnia, and seems to understand the yearning for a clean, well-lit place to spend the insomniac hours. He argues that the old man deserves special consideration due to his recent brush with death.

A Parting of Ways

With the cafe finally closed and tidied, the two waiters exchange polite farewells. The older waiter remains, his night far from over. He empathizes with the old man’s desire to linger in the comforting embrace of a cafe, which offers a different atmosphere compared to the bustling, impersonal nature of bars and bodegas.

However, finding all cafes closed, he reluctantly settles for a bar. Observing his surroundings, he remarks to the barman, "The light is very pleasant but the bar is unpolished," drawing an implicit comparison to his preferred setting. The barman, indifferent, pays him no mind. The older waiter, disinterested in a second drink, departs. He has absorbed enough solace to face his insomnia once more.

Finding Peace

In solitude, the older waiter reflects on his distaste for bars and bodegas, yearning instead for the simplicity and order of a "clean, well-lighted cafe." Resigned, he returns home, anticipating another night of insomnia. He muses to himself, acknowledging the commonality of his condition: "After all, he said to himself, it is probably only insomnia. Many must have it." In this acceptance, he finds a bittersweet understanding of his existence.