Rundown

"Rundown" by Robert Lory is a science fiction short story published in the early 1960s. The narrative revolves around a man who finds himself disoriented and lost in an urban environment, grappling with the confusion of his identity and circumstances. The story delves into themes of desperation and the human condition, especially as reflected through societal perceptions and interactions. The protagonist wakes up in a subway station without any memory of who he is or how he ended up there. As he wanders through the city, his deteriorated appearance and desperate plea for a dime highlight his struggles. His encounter with a group of bar patrons leads to a violent confrontation when he attempts to steal from one of them. However, after being struck down, the man requests a dime once more, hinting at a deeper, integral purpose tied to this seemingly trivial coin. The story culminates in a sense of intrigue, leaving readers pondering the significance of the dime and the man's peculiar situation, particularly regarding the slot in his chest that he uses to deposit the coins.