At the bar Jack sat in a booth in the corner instead of at the bar. This was unusual to do when alone. It was an unspoken rule that loners were supposed to stay out of this booth. For the most part loners sat at the bar. That's where you could talk to someone after all. Why come to a bar if you're gonna sit in a booth alone?

Jack was watching the people of the bar though. Not too many people tonight. Not too little. It was a Wednesday night. The real drinkers were out. And the service industry folk. People who worked late on weekends and needed to let loose in the middle of the 'normal' people's work week.

The office people were mostly home already. The bartenders and baristas were out late, drinking for half off. Jacked liked this crowd. The vibe.

He liked that these people could live care free even though they had such grim financial outlooks. Living paycheck to paycheck. Not having any retirement plans. Inflation getting worse and their expected wage increases looking slimmer.

Jack was not in their shoes. But he felt an allure to being near them.

A waitress came around. "Another PBR for you?"

He smiled. "Please."