In "The City and the Pillar" by Gore Vidal, the protagonist comes back content, bringing three cups to the table. Two of these cups are empty, while one has remnants of lipstick, suggesting a connection to someone else. He tries to arrange the cups in a triangle formation, successfully, but struggles to place them in a square, which leads to a sense of disappointment.

This moment reflects his internal conflict, as the act of forming a square with three cups symbolizes his desire for completeness and the inability to achieve it. The sadness he feels illustrates his awareness of limitations, hinting at broader themes of longing and unfulfilled expectations in his life.