The Line That Deserted Him

In a bar, a down-and-outer relates a tale from his former life in order to win the sympathy of another patron, who plies him with drinks. The arc of his story aims downward, until the other patron, thoroughly depressed, leaves money for the down-and-outer as he leaves the bar. Afterwards, the narrator, the bartender and the down-and-outer frankly analyze the effects of his tale.