It seems that Mr. Cattanzara would have liked to have a job for which a good formal education was needed. Nevertheless, he had to resign himself to a very simple and non-prestigious job as a change maker in the subway. The contrast between his wide reading and the boring job he had, must have caused him a lot of frustration, which manifested itself in his drinking. The drinking was his refuge. Only while drunk, could he forget his gloomy reality and get relief for a short while.