George Stoyonovich, a young man who left school impulsively at sixteen, finds himself adrift at nearly twenty, jobless and frustrated. Unwilling to attend summer school for fear of feeling out of place among younger classmates, and disinclined towards night school due to a distaste for authority, George spends his days in his room. His financial situation is grim, with his father and sister Sophie struggling to make ends meet, leaving George with little spending money.

Seeking Solace in Solitude

Sophie works at a cafeteria in the Bronx and often brings home discarded magazines and newspapers, which George occasionally reads alongside his old copies of the World Almanac. Fiction no longer holds any appeal for him, grating on his nerves instead. At night, George ventures out, avoiding acquaintances and seeking refuge in a small park far from home. It is here, in the anonymity of the park, that he reflects on the series of unsatisfying jobs he’s held and dreams of a better life: a stable job, a home of his own, financial security, and a romantic partner. As night deepens, he meanders back to his neighborhood, restless and discontent.

An Encounter with Mr. Cattanzara

One evening during his nocturnal wanderings, George encounters Mr. Cattanzara, a familiar neighborhood figure who works at a change booth in the subway. George remembers Mr. Cattanzara fondly, as he used to give him nickels for lemon ices when he was a child. Despite Mr. Cattanzara’s occasional drunkenness, he is sober this night and asks George about his activities. Caught off guard and embarrassed to admit he is doing little, George claims he is educating himself by reading and asserts he has a list of about one hundred books he plans to finish that summer. Although he feels awkward about this lie, George craves the respect of Mr. Cattanzara, who remarks on the ambitious goal and suggests discussing the books once George finishes them.

Respect Earned and Unread Books

Following the discussion with Mr. Cattanzara, George notices a shift in how people in the neighborhood perceive him. They commend him for his purported dedication to reading, and even Sophie seems to have heard of his plan, increasing his allowance by a dollar each week. With this extra money, George occasionally buys paperback books, although he doesn’t read any of them. Instead, he busies himself with daily chores like cleaning the apartment and enjoys strolling through the neighborhood, buoyed by the newfound respect he receives. However, an underlying unease persists, especially in his interactions with Mr. Cattanzara, whom he avoids to prevent any probing questions about his reading.

A Sobering Confrontation

One evening, Mr. Cattanzara, evidently intoxicated, crosses paths with George again. Initially silent, he eventually calls out to George and offers him a nickel for lemon ice. George protests, explaining that he’s grown, but Mr. Cattanzara challenges him to name any book he has read. Unable to do so, George is warned by Mr. Cattanzara not to follow in his footsteps before the older man departs.

Facing the Truth

George returns home, and the next day Sophie questions the absence of substantial reading material in his room. When he cannot provide an answer, she withholds his extra allowance, branding him a "bum" and urging him to find a job. Dejected, George confines himself to his room for nearly a week, despite the oppressive heat and the urging of his family to engage with the outside world. Nevertheless, when he does venture out, he is surprised to find that the neighborhood still regards him with respect. Realizing Mr. Cattanzara has kept his secret, George regains a sense of confidence.

A New Beginning

As autumn settles in, George decides to take action. One evening, he finally makes his way to the library, determined to change his circumstances. He counts out a hundred books and sits down, ready to begin reading, symbolizing a fresh start and a commitment to genuine self-improvement.