Summary
Norwalk’s sepia-toned sidewalks know every squeak of Hector Brown’s bargain shoes; the town has nicknamed him “Humdrum” the way one names a houseplant—something that occupies space without altering the air. By day he tallies other people’s futures in the bank’s brass-and-oak cage; by night he folds his aspirations into a moth-eaten cigar box, saving for a ring that will never gleam on Alicia Boothe’s finger so long as the Danforth clan treats his ledger like a communal spittoon. Brother-in-law Ed Danforth, a human comet of reckless schemata, burns through Hector’s wages faster than ticker tape, leaving our clerk to bankroll a parade of indolent in-laws who believe thrift is a mortal sin. The equilibrium shatters when Ed and bank president Carlos Tanner—equal parts velvet smile and rusted morals—clean out the vault like surgeons removing a still-beating heart; overnight the institution hemorrhages trust, its doors chained, its employees scattered like confetti after a parade nobody asked for. Rendered superfluous in the economic wasteland of his hometown, Hector boards a westward locomotive, chasing the rumor of honest labor in a San Francisco perpetually fog-drunk and gold-plated. Unbeknownst to him, Alicia inherits a windfall that could buy entire city blocks; she follows her fiancé’s silhouette across the continent only to have Tanner intercept her, his promises gilded with the same lacquer he once used on forged ledgers. Double-crossed and destitute, Ed experiences a rare eclipse of conscience, confessing to Hector via trembling telegram before stumbling into the constabulary. A steamer bound for extradition-free waters becomes the stage for Hector’s metamorphosis: the human wallpaper lunges, collaring Tanner beneath swinging cargo hooks, holding the embezzler until badges clatter up the gangplank. Restored funds in tow, Hector returns to Norwalk less mouse than monarch, the boardroom gavel now his scepter, Alicia’s hand the only treasure that outshines vault gold.
Synopsis
Hector Brown, affectionately nicknamed "Humdrum" by the residents of Norwalk because his life is so monotonous, wants to marry Alicia Boothe. Humdrum's brother-in-law Ed Danforth spends all of his money on get-rich-quick schemes, however, so the young bank clerk is forced to support the entire Danforth family. After Danforth and bank president Carlos Tanner rob the bank in which Humdrum is employed, the bank is forced to close, and Humdrum goes to San Francisco to look for a job. In his absence, Alicia inherits a large sum of money and travels to the city to find her fiancé. There she meets Tanner, who takes her money, promising to invest it for her. Having been double-crossed by Tanner, Danforth tells Humdrum the truth about the bank robbery and goes to the police. Humdrum catches the steamer on which Tanner is about to depart, holds the crook until the police arrive, and returns to the Norwalk bank with the stolen funds. He and Alicia marry following his appointment as president of the bank.
