
In the bustling heart of New York, a seemingly ordinary young man—known only as Average Jones— finds himself trapped between a comfortable, unremarkable life and a bizarre stipulation in his late uncle’s will: inherit ten million dollars only after five years of “continuous residence” in the city, a period meant to test his character. While he enjoys a modest salary and the safety of his routine, the promise of a massive fortune looms like a taunting challenge, pushing him to question whether he’s merely drifting or ready for something more meaningful. At a local gentlemen’s club, his friends and a seasoned newspaper owner prod him to break the monotony, suggesting that a new hobby might be the catalyst for real adventure.
The story follows Jones as he wrestles with his own inertia, the expectations of a legacy built on cynicism, and the restless yearning for purpose that many feel in a metropolis that never sleeps. Through witty dialogue and a cast of eccentric collectors—scarab enthusiasts, circus‑poster curators, and insect hunters—readers glimpse the possibilities that lie just beyond the ordinary. It’s a compelling portrait of a man at a crossroads, inviting listeners to consider how a single choice can reshape an entire life.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (398K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-11-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1871–1958
A sharp-eyed journalist turned novelist, he helped define the muckraking era with fearless reporting on fraud in the patent medicine industry. He also wrote popular fiction, including the novel that inspired the classic film It Happened One Night.
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