Upon an increase in his business, the lawyer hires a third scrivener, the sedate, quiet Bartleby, in the hope that his placidity will counterbalance the disturbances caused by his two other workers.
The lawyer relocates his business, hoping to rid himself of Bartleby, but soon the tenants in his former office come seeking his help: Thescrivener refuses to leave, insisting on sleeping in the building's front doorway.