In which story does the protagonist try to live a few seconds longer on a ledge?

• A. The Enemy
• B. Old Man at the Bridge
• C. Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket
• D. The Scarlet Letter

Answer: (C)

The situation tests recognizing a story built on urgent, life-or-death suspense in a moment of exposure. In Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket, a man climbs out onto the exterior ledge of a tall building to recover the contents of his pockets—papers that matter for his work and his pride. A gust or slip traps him on that narrow ledge, and he must fight fear and gravity, squeezing out a few more seconds of life as he clings on, trying to reach safety or rescue. The tension hinges on buying time in a dangerous moment, which is why this story is the right choice. The other options center on different settings and conflicts—war, humanitarian moments, or moral struggle—without that specific ledge-and-time-wager scene.