In 2000, Howard is the manager of the bar in Reading, Pennsylvania, where most of the play takes place. He oversees Stan, the bartender, and Oscar, the busboy. In 2008, when Chris and Jason return to the bar after they’re released from prison, they find that Howard has retired to Phoenix, Arizona, and that Oscar has taken over the bar as manager.
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Howard Character Timeline in Sweat
The timeline below shows where the character Howard appears in Sweat. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act 1, Scene 2
...and the song ends, after which Stan asks who’s taking Jessie home. Tracey replies that Howard usually just closes up and leaves Jessie in the bar, yet somehow Jessie always makes...
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Act 2, Scene 5
Stan offers to ask Howard about giving Oscar a raise, but Oscar tells him that Olstead’s is paying $11 per...
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...job. She tells Stan to put the drink on her tab, but Stan says he can’t—Howard is only allowing cash or credit since so many people have been unable to pay...
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Act 2, Scene 8
...new crowd—the customers have been mostly college kids since Olstead’s closed. He tells Chris that Howard retired to Phoenix—Oscar is the manager and weekend bartender now, which impresses Chris.
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