Gregor wakes up one morning to discover that he's become a "monstrous vermin". As he struggles to come to terms with his new body, he realizes that he's late for his job as a traveling salesman. First his mother, then his father and sister, knock on his bedroom door in an effort to get him out of bed. His supervisor, the office manager, arrives to inquire about his absence. With his parents pleading with the office manager outside his bedroom door and his sister sobbing in another room, Gregor manages to crawl to his bedroom door, open it, and reveal to everyone his shocking new form. His mother collapses, and the office manager runs out of the apartment in horror. His father grabs a newspaper and the office manager's cane and chases Gregor around the living room. Gregor finally manages to crawl back to his bedroom door, but he gets stuck. His father firmly shoves him into the room and closes the door behind him.