In the story, a young salesman taking an evening stroll in New York City is handed a card which bears the mysterious handwritten words "The Green Door." Guided by the spirit of adventure, he finds a green door to an apartment in a dimly-lit hallway. His knock is answered by a girl living in extreme poverty. Before the evening is over, he comes to believe it was fate that brought them together. "The Green Door" was adapted as a silent short film in 1917. Although it is not among the most famous, the story is often cited as a favorite by fans of O. Henry's works.