A glimpse into the life of a fallen man

Camus's protagonist, Clomont, is a prime example of modern society's pervasive narcissism. Sitting alone in an Amsterdam bar, drinking gin, he exudes a sense of unhappiness. The reader is left wondering what led him to this lowly state. As Clomont shares his story, it becomes clear that he experienced a significant fall in his life. Once a successful trial lawyer in Paris, he chose cases with charitable causes, defending the vulnerable and offering a good criminal defense to those in need. However, something changed, and now he finds himself in a bar, desperately recounting his past self to a stranger.