The narrative follows a sales manager at a household appliance company, J. C. Chisholm, who prides himself on his keen observational skills and self-perception. He enjoys a sense of superiority over his employees, particularly a struggling salesman, Firrel, whom he dismisses as incompetent. Chisholm's interactions with his secretary, Maizie, reveal his self-absorption and lack of empathy. He believes he is a masterful manager, oblivious to the discontent among his staff. As the day progresses, Chisholm prepares for an evening meeting with an important buyer, feeling confident and in control. However, his arrogance leads him to underestimate the dangers around him. While walking through a park, he is brutally mugged and killed, marking a sudden shift in the narrative. After his death, Chisholm finds himself in a surreal afterlife, where he is confronted by a demon who explains that he is to be judged based on the perceptions of others. A crowd of shades, representing various people from his life, begins to form a composite image of him on stage. Each shade embodies the opinions and judgments of Chisholm's character, revealing a distorted and unflattering view of himself. As the shades continue to merge, Chisholm is horrified to see the negative aspects of his personality and the impact of his actions on others. The demon informs him that this composite image is the result of his life’s work and that he must contemplate it for eternity. Chisholm's initial confidence crumbles as he realizes that his self-perception is vastly different from how others see him. The narrative culminates in a profound exploration of identity, reputation, and the consequences of one's actions, leaving Chisholm to grapple with the reality of his existence and the legacy he has created.
By Malcolm Jameson · First published 1943 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Satire, Psychological Fiction