"The Third Level" by Jack Finney

Introduction to "The Third Level" by Jack Finney

• The story revolves around a man named Charlie who struggles with the hardships of modern life.
• Charlie seeks escape from the "tension" of his world.
• His desire for escape leads him to imagine a third level at Grand Central Station.
• In reality Grand Central Station only has two levels.
• The story involves time travel, where one travels to the past or future in their imagination to avoid problems.
• Charlie escapes to 1894, a time of peace, simplicity, and no World Wars.
• The setting of his escape is Galesburg, Illinois.
• The story can be considered science fiction due to the element of time travel.

The Narrator's Claim and Initial Reactions

• Presidents and employees of New York Central, New Haven, and Hartford railroads swear there are only two levels at Grand Central.
• Charlie insists that he has been to the third level, where none exists.
• Charlie consults his psychiatrist friend, Sam, about his experience.
• Sam explains it as a "waking-dream wish fulfillment," where Charlie wishes to escape reality.

Explanation and Charlie's Perspective

• The doctor believes Charlie is unhappy and seeking escape.
• Charlie defends himself by stating that everyone wants to escape problems to some extent.
• He wonders why he is the only one experiencing the third level.
• The doctor and Charlie's friends attribute the experience to his unhappiness.

Charlie's Hobby and Past

• Charlie collects stamps.
• His stamp collection serves as a "temporary refuge from reality".
• Charlie's grandfather also collected stamps during a peaceful time.
• Charlie has an extensive stamp collection with various US stamps.

Encountering the Third Level

• Charlie recollects his way to the third level one night while hurrying home from work.
• He decided to take the subway from Grand Central to get to his apartment quicker.
• He goes through a new archway and gets lost in the station.
• He admits to getting lost in Grand Central many times, always finding new corridors and staircases.
• One time, he ended up in the lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel thru a tunnel.
• Another time he ended up in an office building on 46th Street.

Details of the Third Level

• The corridor was slanting downward to the left, leading to a hollow space filled with sounds of talking.
• There were ticket windows, train gates, and a wooden information booth.
• The information booth had a green visor and black sleeve protectors.
• Dime gas lights dimly lit the third level.
• Brass spittoons were on the floor.
• A man with a gold watch took it out from his vest pocket and checked the time.
• The man wore a derby hat and a four-button suit with tiny lapels.
• People at the station were dressed in 1890s attire.
• He noticed a woman with mutton sleeves and high-buttoned shoes.
• He saw a Currier & Ives locomotive.

Confirmation and Desire

• To confirm the time period, Charlie looked at a newspaper.
• He glanced at "The World" newspaper, confirming it was from June 11, 1894.
• He planned to buy two tickets to Galesburg, Illinois.
• He gave the charming description of Galesburg, Illinois that he wished to visit.
• The description included: big old frame houses, lawns, and trees forming roof-like canopies.
• It was a peaceful world with no world wars.
• The clerk asked for money and when he had is currency, accused Charlie of trying to swindle him.
• He ran off because he didn't want to get arrested for using money from the new century.

The Aftermath and New Discovery

• Charlie left quickly, fearing imprisonment because carrying the wrong currency is illegal.
• The next day, he exchanged $300 for old currency but received less than $200 in return.
• Charlie and Louisa started searching for the third level every weekend.
• Charlie's friend Sam disappeared, leading Charlie to suspect he found the third level.
• Charlie believed Sam had a appreciation for Galesburg, coming from the city.

The Letter and Sam's Business

• While going thru his collection, Charlie found a First Day Cover meant for his grandfather.
• There was 7/18/1894 postmark, a date Charlie did not recognize.
• In the First Day Cover was a letter from Sam to Charlie.
• Sam's letter said that the rumors were true, he had found the level.
• Sam had also said that a person could "stretch out" in Galesburg.
• It urged both Charlie and Louisa to come to Galesburg.
• Charlie learned Sam had exchanged $800 worth of currency to get there.
• The knowledge led to the conclusion that Sam was setting up a hay, feed, and grain business in Galesburg.