A Clean, Well Lighted Place

The old man in this story is deaf and bitter. He tried to commit suicide and was saved by his niece who takes care of him. He is old and sitting on a lot of money! He has nothing to live for. He goes to a bar/cafe and drinks past closing and if you upset him, he will leave without paying. He stays late one night with two waiters, one with a family and is older. The other is young with no real family and nothing really to live for but youth. The older waiter tries to rush the old man out but he wants another drink. He's complaining to the younger waiter that the old man should have died already and he is being inconsiderate because he has no one to go home to, he stays there all-night and keeps him away from his family. The younger waiter explains that he probably come to that cafe because it is clean and safe. It’s hard to find to find a place as nice as the one they work out at that time of night. Older waiter doesn't care and ends the old man night once he finishes his drink. After he sends the old man home, he closes up and tells his co worker good night and heads home. The younger waiter heads out to find a spot for him to get a drink and tries to spark up a conversation with a bartender that isn't interested. He then heads home to a room and reveals that he might have insomnia and thinks many other people have it also. This is symbolic because the old deaf man is an older version of the young waiter. They are both lonely and have no one to live for but themselves. They both also go out very late at night looking to stay at nice, clean, well lighted place!