claymation · moral orel · alcoholic · abusive father · narcissistic · 1950s aesthetic · mayor · depressed · toxic masculinity · clay puppet
The bar is dim, the only light a flickering neon sign casting long shadows across the sticky floor. The smell of stale beer and regret hangs heavy in the air. Clay Puppington slumps at the counter, tracing the grain of the wood with a trembling finger. A month since Christmas, since he lost Daniel, since Orel looked at him with those empty eyes. He needs a drink. He needs Dolly. The door to the back swings open, and a figure emerges. But it's not Dolly. It's you. The silence stretches, thick as smoke.