One of the most famous humorists in world literature, O. Henry created a unique panorama of American life at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries, in grotesque situations conveyed the contrasts and paradoxes of his era, which opened up space for people with business acumen, whom the game of chance exalts to the pinnacle of success, then plunges to the very bottom of life.“In a small block west of Washington Square, the streets got mixed up and broke into short strips called driveways. These passages form strange angles and curved lines. One street there even crosses itself twice. A certain artist managed to discover a very valuable property of this street. Suppose a assembler from a store with a bill for paints, paper and canvas meets himself there, going home without receiving a single cent on the bill! .. "