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The entirety of the story takes place in the boss’s carefully constructed and lush office. The boss enjoys sitting in the space, as his presence establishes ownership. The way that he points out the decor, taking pride in the quality, shows that he is a man who enjoys the finer things and enjoys his wealth. The amount of detail that goes into describing the carpet, the bookcase, and the electric heating contrasts with the one-sentence description of the photograph of the boss’s son, which is a somber piece among the others. The photo is a turning point in the story, as it introduces the tragedy lurking under the facade of the pristine and modern office. The boss is a man ostensibly surrounded by success, and he has achieved visible wealth. This visual contrast with the picture of his dead son sets up the emotional conflict at the heart of the story. The boss struggles to find meaning in everything around him and the wealth he has is overshadowed by this death. He built everything he has for the purpose of passing it on to his son, who now only exists in his memory and in the photograph.

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