Summary

“The Killers” by Ernest Hemingway begins when two men enter Henry’s lunchroom. They sit down at the counter and debate about what they want to order while Nick Adams, one of the customers, watches them. One of the men is named Al. Their first orders are not available as it is not yet six o’clock, so George, the waiter, lists the available choices.

The two men make their orders. Al asks about drinks but then begins to sarcastically discuss the town, Summit, and how “bright” George and Nick are, with the other man, who is named Max.

Al and Max begin to eat, but they suddenly order Nick to go on the other side of the counter with George. When they learn that Sam, the cook, is in the kitchen, they make George call him out. Al takes Nick and Sam back into the kitchen, while Max rema...