A character reflects on years spent toiling in various jobs like shipping clerk and salesman, describing this life as meager and unfulfilling. He expresses dissatisfaction with long hours on the subway and his mundane tasks, feeling trapped in a routine that places a high value on hard work for little reward. His longing for freedom and connection with nature contrasts sharply with his reality of labor and competition.

This struggle epitomizes the universal quest for meaning in work, where individuals often sacrifice personal joy for the sake of financial stability. The character's yearning to be outdoors and free illustrates the conflict between societal expectations and personal desires, ultimately questioning the true cost of pursuing conventional success.