This chapter was actually pretty sweet, given it was just about two drunks sitting around drinking and talking about drinking.
It really could stand on its own as a short story.
I read it, of course, as Jerry’s explanation for why he drank. Fear, it seems, fear that becomes overwhelming when one is sober. (I suppose he must have had anxiety or panic attacks.) Guilt is given as the other reason. I am familiar with excessive guilt, as you know.
Probably the best chapter so far. It would be a nice restful interlude in the plot, if (say it with me) there were a plot.