Post Office

Hank wins money at the racetrack and fantasizes about a wealthy, leisurely lifestyle filled with fine food, drinks, cars, and women. Flush with confidence, he goes to his supervisor, Mr. Winters, and demands a leave of absence from the post office, threatening to resign if it’s denied. Winters agrees and grants him 90 working days off, which Hank accepts.

Hank keeps his apartment in town but spends most of his time 100 miles down the coast, where the racetrack has moved. He wins regularly and settles into a routine of betting and drinking at the bar. One night, he wagers $50 on a horse named Blue Stocking, pretending to others that his choice is based on racing conditions while keeping his real reasoning to himself. During the race, Blue Stocking isn’t mentioned until the final stretch, when it suddenly surges ahead and wins. Hank collects his winnings, takes a drink, tips the bartender generously, and leaves, satisfied with another profitable day.

Hank settles into a comfortable routine, finally enjoying life. Each night, after leaving the track, he dines on steaks at expensive restaurants, often enjoying views of the ocean. Afterward, he drives until he finds a motel, stopping at bars to drink whiskey and beer along the way.