Aside from the scene in the parking lot, this entire story takes place in the windowless breakroom of a Hobby Lobby store in Boise, Idaho.
Just the setting got my attention enough to want to read more. I’ve never been to a Hobby Lobby but I’ve been to Boise once or twice. I’ve been to Rathdrum many many times and it gets some lines in there too. I won’t ruin it for you.
Haven’t read The Whale yet, but I might some day soon.