In Kellner Books on the Upper East Side, Cassie chats with regular customer John Webber as he rereads The Count of Monte Cristo. Mr. Webber jokes about aging, reminisces about traveling in Rome, and grows briefly serious as he urges Cassie to see the world while she can. Cassie, uncomfortable with the attention on her life, keeps the conversation light and continues closing duties as snow begins to fall outside.

As the store nears closing time, Cassie notices Mr. Webber sitting oddly still at his usual table. When Cassie approaches and touches John Webber’s shoulder, he does not respond; Cassie recognizes immediately that John Webber has died quietly in his chair, eyes open and lifeless. The death hits Cassie hard, stirring older memories of loss.

EMTs arrive first, but quickly confirm there is nothing to be done. Police officers follow and question Cassie about John Webber’s routine at the shop. A younger officer implies John Webber visited for Cassie’s attention, and Cassie sharply rejects the insinuation, insisting he simply liked books and conversation. The older officer finds John Webber’s address on his driver’s license and tells Cassie to call if she remembers anything else, offering a tired attempt at comfort that sometimes people simply die.

After the ambulance and police leave, Cassie calls Mrs. Kellner to report what happened. Mrs. Kellner responds bluntly at first, then expresses sympathy and instructs Cassie to lock up and get home safely through the worsening weather. While cleaning, Cassie reflects on the Kellners and Mr. Kellner’s dementia, then returns to John Webber’s table and sees his copy of The Count of Monte Cristo still beside his half-finished coffee.

Next to the novel, Cassie discovers an unfamiliar small brown leather book she had not noticed earlier. Inside are dense scribbles, drawings, and unusual scripts; on the first page, an English statement reads: This is the Book of Doors. Hold it in your hand, and any door is every door. A second note, signed by John Webber, addresses Cassie directly and gifts the book to her in thanks for her kindness. Touched and unsure whether to involve the police, Cassie decides to keep the book as John Webber intended and also takes his copy of The Count of Monte Cristo to ensure it finds a good home.

Leaving into the snow, Cassie stops under a streetlight to flip through the Book of Doors again, fascinated by its patterns of doorways and the sense of hidden design. Unseen by her, a figure watches from the shadows across the street, but does not follow as Cassie continues toward the subway, her mind alive with the book’s images and promise.