The narrator complains that the owner of the massage parlor is unavailable for his services because he cares so much for his employees. He tells the owner that he often advises the owner not to do "on airs" because he will lose customers if his business peaks at night. The owner tells the narrator that the rind on the tiles is thick and that he should come and pick it up. The narrator says that he would rather pick watermelon rinds "than the way" because humans are the "most troublesome obstacles" on the "tangible tiles" . He asks the owner what it will take for him to get to the road, and the owner smiles and says that the employees of the parlor will get off the job in a minute. He says he doesn't want to argue with the owner, because he knows two city inspectors who need money. He begs the owner to help him find a job, but the owner refuses, saying that he will pay him back after he finds a job tomorrow. He then says that if the owner does not treat him to a meal, he will not recover