A successful lawyer on Wall Street hires Bartleby, a scrivener, to relieve the load of work experienced by his law firm. For two days, Bartleby executes his job with skill and gains the owner's confidence for his diligence. Then the copyist begins demonstrating signs of mental imbalance by refusing to proofread his work, to leave the premises of the office where he works, refuses to be fired for dereliction of duty, and refuses to give an explanation for his actions.