[ his lips part to answer, then flatten again as he struggles to get the words out. after a moment of obvious struggle, he takes another swallow of his own drink, setting the glass down carefully. ]

Someone recently did something very kind for me. I was.. ill myself, in a manner of speaking. [ he uncurls his fingers from around the glass, curling them into a fist atop the bar instead, white-knuckled as he tries to keep his composure. ] He was able to-- to fix me even though I gave him every reason not to.

[ he sips in a small breath, chest tight and painful. ] And frankly, my son is about your age. If he was in a similar situation as you are, I'd hope someone would try to help him, too. [ a beat. ] And my name is Norman.