Part 2/9:
Each night, as patrons come and go, Bob keeps a watchful eye, attuned not just to the pulses of the bar but to the complex social fabric surrounding him. While the atmosphere appears relaxed, fermentation of memories and unresolved issues lurk just beneath the surface. During one such night, a group of regulars raises a toast to Richie Whelan, a local whose disappearance still haunts the community.
Bob's rapport with customers reveals his character; he is inherently kind-hearted—attending church and caring about the well-being of others, even going out of his way for Millie, an aging waitress who hangs around the bar late into the night. However, he can't shake the feeling of unease as he navigates his mundane yet dangerous job.