Bartleby is hired as scrivener for a lawyer on Wall Street. He works hard daily and keeps long hours. He is always there when his co-workers arrive, and copies busily through their evening departures. When asked to complete other tasks and errands, Batrleby simply responds, "I would prefer not to." When stopping by the office on a Sunday, the Lawyer discovers that Bartleby has been living there. Soon after Bartleby stops writing, he says he prefers not to copy any more and is asked to leave. Bartleby doesn't leave, so the lawyer is forced to leave. The new tenants are now coming to him, complaining to the Bartleby's occupancy. With no other option the men are forced to call authorities, and Bartleby is placed in jail. Bartleby will stay there until he commits suicide by starving himself because he would prefer not to eat.

When Bartleby is placed...