The story is set in a barber shop in a rural Michigan town. Whitey tells an unnamed customer a story about Jim Kendall, a local resident who was recently killed. Throughout the story, Whitey portrays Jim in a sympathetic light as a prankster, notwithstanding that many of his pranks were cruel and that he was also a deadbeat husband/father and a womanizer who spent most of his time at the localpool hall with a group of rough characters who enjoyed his jokes. Jim had an infatuation with Julie Gregg, who showed no interest in return; she was infatuated with "Doc" Stair who was not similarly interested. After repeatedly being turned down by Julie, he unsuccessfully attempted to sexually assault her. In revenge for her calling the police he pranked her by claiming to be Doc Stair inviting her to his office and then chased her home with his gang. Jim went around town bragging of his latest prank, telling everyone ; however, Paul told Doc what happened and Doc promised to make Jim suffer. Notably, Doc tells Paul that someone who would pull such a prank "ought not to be let live". Two days later, while at the barbershop, Jim wanted to goduck hunting but his friend, Hod Meyers, was out of town. Paul was there and asked if he could come along hunting with him. Jim agreed. The next day, Doc gets word that Jim has been shot and killed. Paul claimed that it was an accident due to his nervousness at not having hunted before. Without conducting an autopsy or convening a coroner's jury, and solely on the basis of Paul's testimony, Doc immediately declared the death to be accidental, ending any chance of a later inquiry. Whitey ends the story by saying that, although it "probably served Jim right, what he got", he still missed him, and blamed his death on his decision to let Paul handle his gun, having no experience with firearms. Seemingly oblivious to how bad Jim really was, Whitey nonchalantly asks the customer: "Comb it wet or dry?" at which point the story ends.
An unnamed customer to whom Whitey tells the story
Jim Kendall—the main character. Portrayed in a sympathetic light by Whitey as simply a prankster who was a bit rough, Jim was in fact cruel, a deadbeat, a drunkard, and a womanizer.
Ralph "Doc" Stair—a young local physician ; he later becomes the towncoroner. He hears of Jim's attempted assault and later prank on Julie and promises revenge. Upon being summoned after Jim's death, solely on the basis of Paul's testimony, Doc immediately declares the death to be accidental without an autopsy or coroner's jury to investigate.
Julie Gregg—a 30-something woman with whom Jim is infatuated but who does not show interest in return; she is interested in Doc Stair but he is not interested. Julie has traveled to the big city and would like to leave the town; however, her mother refuses to leave.
Paul Dickson—a mentally-challenged man who is often the victim of Jim's pranks. He is friends with Julie Gregg and Doc Stair. At the end, he kills Jim in what he claims was a hunting accident.
Minor Characters
Hod Meyers—Jim's main co-jokester at the barbershop ; however, he is not involved in any of Jim's more cruel pranks
Milt Sheppard—a barbershop customer who is often teased by Jim and Hod
Frank Abbott—a minor character who appears twice to provide transportation, once to Whitey and again to Doc to investigate Jim's death
Joe Barnes—the town marshal who merely warns Jim after his attempted sexual assault on Julie
John Scott—owner of the property where Jim and Paul went hunting, and where Paul killed Jim
