Abitofcolorforonce,allthebettertoseetheredflagswith,nottomentiontheobviousaerialfilefootageofWarsaw.ThestoryconcernsJozefMalesa,themasonorbricklayerofthetitle.Hewasoncethedarlingoftheparty,thesonoftwooldpartyactivists,aworkerofheroicreputation,hisowncommitmenttoTheMovementunquestioned.Hewaschosentobedestinedforgreatthings,speciallyeducatedandpushedforwardtopositionsofresponsibilityintheParty.Eventuallyhedecides,becauseoftheethicalpressureswhichhefeelsfromtheobstructionismofthebureaucracyfromabove,heaskstoreturntobeasimplebricklayer.HeisdisturbedwiththewaythePartydealswithpeople,especiallytheirlackofdirectcontact.Hethinksworkersknowbetterthantheleadershipmanytimesbutthat'snotthewaypowerflows.Heisuncomfortablewiththecompromisestohisidealism.HeremainscommittedtosocialjusticeandjoinshisfriendsfortheMayDayrallywherehiscomfortandconfidenceinhisplaceinsocietycausehimtodefertonoman,certainlynoratfacedmeninovercoatswithredarmbands.Hisgreatpleasureinlifemoreoverislayingbrick.Hefindstheworksatisfyingandfulfillingwhichiswhyhewassuchanobviouslysuperiorworkerinthefirstplace.