An old man outside the Wasley Street nursing home, a resident, with walking stick, hat, and winter coat, looking up and down the street, waiting for a taxi. Here are two scenarios explaining this scene, in increasing order of tragedy:

1.
He has called a cab and, being frail of both body and mind and, therefore, slow of both movement and thought, has gone out immediately to make sure he doesn't miss it.

2.
He has gone out to meet the same cab every night for the past two weeks, but it never comes. He is senile, and perpetually happy in the way of those either senile or retarded. Before leaving he calls out to his fellow residents, "Be back soon!" Just how soon he never suspects, nor, come the next day, does he remember.