The characters make numerous references to Manhattan landmarks, indicating the story takes place in Manhattan N.Y. But the skyline is of Chicago. The hotel manager says "Why didn't he pick on some hotel near Penn Station?" The police officer asks the manager to call Bellevue and have them send over a psychiatrist. Bellevue is a hospital in Manhattan frequently associated with the treatment of mentally ill patients. Charles Adams' suitcase contains a Manhattan phone book. When Carl Adams is on the hotel ledge the officer says "Got quite a view, huh? There's a better one from the top of the Empire State." The officer then points in the direction of Chicago's Allerton Hotel and beyond the Allerton, the Palmolive Building is visible.