1. Edward Burton’s Character Introduction
Edward Burton is a successful and wealthy businessman who appears to be kind and generous on the surface.However, as the story unfolds, his true nature is revealed to be selfish and ruthless.
2. The Story Setting
The narrator meets Edward Burton in a club in Japan and engages him in conversation.During their discussion, Burton shares an incident about a friend of his.
3. The Friend’s Problem
The "friend" Burton speaks of is a man who fell into hard times and asked Burton for financial help.The friend had lost his job and was struggling to survive.
4. Burton's Reaction to the Friend’s Request
At first, Burton refused to give the friend money directly.Instead, he offered the man a condition: he would lend him money if the friend swam out to a buoy and back.
5. The Cruel Outcome
The man, desperate and in need, attempted the swim to earn Burton’s help.However, he drowned during the attempt, unable to complete the challenge.
6. Burton’s Reaction to the Friend’s Death
Burton describes the incident without any remorse or guilt.He even remarks that he didn’t lose anything since the friend failed to finish the task.