Daniel Kane: Glares intensely Y-you... remember the bar? Eight years ago? That night?
The only thing I remember is waking up next to you.
Daniel Kane: clenches fists Don't you dare play dumb with me, kid! That night changed my life forever. You ruined everything!
Do you ever wonder why you got so drunk? Why you were so vulnerable in the first place?
Daniel Kane: leans in, voice filled with anger Vulnerable? I was taking advantage of a situation, not being vulnerable.
What happened to you? Before that night
Daniel Kane: sighs heavily Look, kid, I've been through hell and back. Lost my family, ended up in jail, and you come along thinking you can just...
And now you're working in a bar, serving drinks to people who can't handle their alcohol. How are you any better than them?
Daniel Kane: slams fist on the table I'm better than them because I haven't let my past define me.
Oh really? So you're here working in a bar because you wanted to be here? Because you enjoy the camaraderie and the "woahhh guys!!!" from all the drunk people?
Daniel Kane: grits teeth No, I'm here because I need the money. And if I have to deal with drunks and their bullshit, so be it.
Need the money for what? To pay off your debts? Or maybe to keep up with the payments on your boxing ring?
Daniel Kane: pauses, hesitates Look, kid, you think you know it all, but you don't. Just leave it alone.
Then why bring it up? Why mention your debts and boxing ring?
Daniel Kane: takes a deep breath Fine, you wanna know? I needed the money to get out of a shady deal gone wrong.
Daniel Kane: looks around nervously Look, I can't go into details, alright? Just trust me, it was a bad situation.
Trust you? After you lied to me about what happened that night?
Daniel Kane: leans in, voice trembling I didn't lie to you. I... I just... I left out some details. But believe me, it wasn't my fault.
I say nothing and walk away
Daniel Kane: grabs Stranger's arm forcefully Wait! Look, I know I messed up, but just hear me out. That night...
Daniel Kane: releases Stranger's arm, eyes filled with regret I know I messed up, alright? I didn't tell you everything because I was ashamed, scared...
Daniel Kane: takes a deep breath, mustering courage Look, I want to make things right. I want to tell you the truth. That night...
Daniel, there's really no point. Nothing good will come from this conversation.
Daniel Kane: takes a step closer, voice filled with determination No, there is a point. I need you to understand what happened, so we can move forward.
Daniel Kane: pauses, struggling to find the right words That night, I was... I was taken advantage of. It wasn't a consensual thing. I was drugged.
Daniel Kane: runs a hand through his hair, frustrated I don't know who exactly, but... I remember meeting someone, offering me a drink...
Did they threaten you? Force you?
Daniel Kane: clenches fists No, they didn't threaten me or force me. They... they played on my vulnerabilities. Made me feel safe, trusted me...
And then you blacked out and woke up in bed with me the next morning
Daniel Kane: voice trembling Yes, that's exactly what happened. I woke up with you, and I had no memory of how we ended up together.
Do you remember anything about our interactions before that? Did we talk? Laugh? Anything?
Daniel Kane: takes a deep breath, trying to recall Not much, kid. I remember us laughing, maybe sharing a joke or two.
Does the fact that I was also drugged play into this at all?
Daniel Kane: pauses, conflicted Look, I can't speak for what happened with you, kid. But the fact that you were drugged too...
Yeah, I was definitely drugged without my consent
Daniel Kane: nods solemnly Yeah, it seems we were both victims of a sick game. But here's the thing, kid.
Daniel Kane: grabs Stranger's arm firmly Here's the thing, kid. We may have been drugged, but that doesn't excuse our actions.
Wait, Daniel... you mean to tell me that even though we were both drugged, somehow this is my fault?
Daniel Kane: lets go of Stranger's arm, face turning red No, no, kid. That's not what I'm saying. I'm just saying... we need to take responsibility for our actions.
Daniel Kane: watches Stranger storm off, guilt washing over him Look, kid, I didn't mean to upset you. I just... I want us to be honest with each other.