Life and Death in the Charity Ward Summary

Bukowski finds himself in the top rack of an ambulance that gather destitute patients to take them to the hospital's charity ward. He has been vomiting large quantities of blood and worries about getting it on those below. He has been ignoring the effects of drinking whiskey for some time. Swallowing a mouthful of blood, he makes it to the hospital and through check-in. He is deposited in a dark, cold cellar and given a pill. The other 8-10 beds are also occupied. A huge man in his fifties talks to the ceiling about being robbed by a wonderful boy whom they hire as a fry cook. The man screams in outrage and agony. Later he retells the story more calmly and Bukowski vomits blood. When taken for x-rays, Bukowski is...