Why the slurpee scene at the convenience store?

I think that scene was partially to make the audience go, "Man, nothing's going right for this guy." But, more importantly, it was to contribute to the apathetic state he got into. He's angry with the kids at first and says something, but then when he gets his slurpee knocked over, he decides it's not worth fighting over, starts drinking, and ignores the loss. It exactly parallels how he reacts to losing his job (rashly slashing the tires, then giving up, drinking, and going home) and being kicked out of his house (trying for a while to get in, then giving up, drinking, and living on the lawn.) It shows how he gets to the point he stays at for most of the movie, where the only thing he's proactive about is getting alcohol.

Obviously he didn't fight the teens because there were two of them, and they were pretty tough looking guys. Given his emotional state I don't think getting into a physical fight with these two would have been an option.

As for buying the slurpee, it may have been a way to convince himself that he wasn't just there to stock up on beer and continue his relapse. Sometimes an alcoholic will visit a store just to buy booze, but might throw in a loaf of bread or a packet of gum just to off-set the feeling of guilt slightly and to make them look less desperate to anyone watching (including the clerk who probably couldn't care less). As absurd as that might sound, it's just a funny thing the mind of a drinker thinks of.

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He left a note. He left a simple little note that said "I've gone out the window."

I was wondering that as well but later in the movie it made a little more sense. My mind came back to this scene later when he is out front of the store doing the same thing the teens did, asking someone for beer. Of course that person ignores him.

So in just a few days he's at the same store in the same position those teens were, different circumstances but same problem, cant get beer.

And I agree with projects reply about buying the the slurpee. I know many people who do this, especially when at a market instead of a liquor store.

I feel the scene was made to show Nick's nightly routine compared to that of the underage kids who were just looking to have fun and score drinks. In Nick's younger years, he probably had friends and happiness and did the same thing. Now Nick's life is in shambles and the liquor store routine has lost its excitement and joy.. it's become that of a depressing dependency. Maybe Nick had a shocking realization of his age and current state of life at the peak of the confrontation and decided to just swallow his pride and leave.

--Alex
www.alexsoldit.com

I'm guessing he bought the slurpee for the large plastic cup. He could fill it with beer and drink and drive more discreetly.

In the scene following the slurpee incident, he's drinking a tall boy that is wrapped in a plastic bag. It appears he's trying to hide (poorly) the fact that it's a beer.

He did'nt fight them because he knew they'd have kicked his ass, afterall they did'nt look like 15 year old boys, they could have been 20 year old men.Unlike most other countries it is 21 to drink in the us remember so adults themselves aren't allowed to buy drink hence them 'teens' could well have been over 18 and grown men. Many people would walk away from a fight rather than face physical confrontation especially when you are outnumbered and the guys are 20 years younger. Besides alot of people are naturally not the fighting type and will walk away from a fight rather than throw punches and even many self defense teachers and professionaly trained fighters who can handle themselves will go in peace and attempt to walk away from a threatening situation rather than fight. I've seen a trained soldier [who had fill self defense training] assaulted in a street fight by two dangerous thugs in thailand and he walked away and did not hit back as he knew it was the safest option. My krav maga teacher [a kravmaga expert and national champion] always tell my class in a threatening situation walk away, to avoid physical fight unless left with no choice. Alot of people who go try to be the hero in these situations are often left severly assaulted or even dead. Your life, your health and of course your criminal record is more important than macho pride.