In "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket," why does Tom go out on the ledge?

In the short story “Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket” by Jack Finney, Tom Benecke goes out on the ledge of his apartment building to retrieve a piece of paper. It is not just any piece of paper; it is ledger containing the results of many months of personal market research Tom accumulated in hope of presenting new, innovative ideas to his bosses. He must decide whether the risk of retrieving the piece of paper is worth the reward.

The author alludes to a play on words by having Tom “go out on a ledge.” When one does that, they are generally putting themselves in a dangerous or difficult situation with the hope of receiving accolades or rewards for presenting an idea that goes against the mainstream. In this case, Tom goes out on the ledge of a building that is eleven stories above a busy New York City street.

As you read the story, you determine whether the risk was worth the reward for Tom’s escapades on that ledge.