Summary

In "Clifton's Place," middle-aged art-store-employee Ellis, sits and draws at his neighborhood bar Clifton's Place. The bar is a hangout for a collection of misfits known as "the folks." Years prior, a woman named Sadie opened the bar after her love affair with a man named Clifton ended. Old and ill, she still hopes Clifton will return and see how much she loved him. While Ellis is drawing, the bartender, Sadie's nephew Sharod, rants about girl trouble. Ellis offers no advice. Sadie shows up in an elaborate dress, with a clump of hair burned out of the side of her head. When she starts flirting with Ellis, Julius steps in and takes her home. A couple enters and sits side by side at a table where Ellis can watch them. The woman tries to get the man to eat with his hands. Ellis...