The setting of the story is a nightclub in the Japanese capital of Tokyo. This, however, is only the setting of the part of the story that functions as a framing device for the main action of the narrative. Toshiko and her husband are telling their friends about a incident that seemed traumatizing to Toshiko herself, but only mildly diverting to her husband and friends. The setting contributes to the overall commentary of the story, which revolves around the sense of normalcy that people of "civilized" society approach such an incident. Toshiko considers this to be indicative of a complete bankruptcy of compassion.

The story that Toshiko's husband tells is one of a family nurse that abruptly gives birth on the floor of their house. Several surreal and outrageous reactions occur as a result of this, such as Toshiko's husband attempting to save the rug that the nurse was lying on, and the doctor wrapping the newborn in newspaper after mercilessly berating the nurse for having an illegitimate child. Toshiko is concerned with what the child will grow up to be, and how the lack of love that the child could have received may transform him into a monster in the future.