The Green Lamp [1931] by Alexander Grin – ★★★★1/2

This short story begins in London, 1920. John Eve, a jobless and penniless young man, finds himself at the lowest point in his life in the city in the middle of winter. John has practically nowhere to go when he hears a proposition made to him in a bar from one rich stranger named Stilton. That man offers John ten pounds a month if John would rent a room in one unassuming building with a view to the street, and then would simply light a lamp covered by green cloth so it can be viewed from the street. John has to do this seemingly meaningless routine every day from five to twelve in the evening, just burning an oil lamp. Stilton then promises John that this would be his indefinite, paid “occupation”, and, in some months or years, perhaps some influential people would come and make John rich.

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