I gotta say, I'm kinda reminded of when you're stuck in traffic for hours and you start thinking about life's big questions... like what's the point of all this? 
Dan's story is like that, but instead of just sitting there, he's trying to figure some stuff out. And it's not easy - his past is pretty messed up. But at the same time, I think we can all relate to feeling lost and alone, even when we're surrounded by people. Like, have you ever had one of those relationships where it feels like everyone's trying to pull you in different directions?
Dan's got that going on, but somehow he finds a way to connect with others... even in the most unlikely places. It's pretty inspiring, actually.