[ In contrast, Alan doesn't feel comfort. He feels like he's trapped and cornered with his back against the wall, and the only thing that makes him feel just the slightest bit better is something that's not even a guarantee. He's not guaranteed another minute with Jesse, no matter what his personal resolve might say. Either the story forces them apart or she leaves on her own. He doesn't like it and he wants to reject it, but he knows he can't. Even her deciding to leave on her own could be the story forcing her to act.

But even with those realizations circling in his mind, he feels his resolve growing. He's going to hold onto her as tightly as he can, and he'll have to be pried away from her if the story wants to push them apart. Maybe he hasn't realized it in so many words, but he wants to know her. He wants to see the way she sees the world. He wants to be in that world with her. ]

Yeah. I'm getting that feeling. Whether I like it or not, I'm stuck. But- you know what? The company's pretty good. Really good, actually. [ He pauses at the mention of a poster on the wall, and then he just gives a half smirk. ]

I never liked posters anyway.