[ THE ISLAND. DHARMA SETTLEMENT. 1977 ]

"And what the hell do you want?"

The apathy in Roger's voice is strangely mixed with irritation—as usual, though. Friendliness has never been his strong suit, and with time he’s only grown more unbearable.

He grips a can of beer in one hand; another, already empty and crushed, lies in the grass at his feet. The night silence, thickened over the deserted playground, is pierced by the sharp crunch of a crumpling tin.

Lately, he’s been drinking more and more. Losing his temper at his son. Getting on everyone’s nerves with his crude, unprovoked hostility. Messing up at his simple job. Ever since Emily died, his life has been off the rails, now racing straight into hell at supersonic speed.