Jack Townsend

General
Jack Townsend is the main protagonist of Tales from the Gas Station. He is a chronic insomniac, and works as the central full-time employee. Jack is trusted greatly by the owners of the gas station, so much so they ultimately leave ownership of it to him. He bears first-hand witness to most of the weird things that happen within the gas station, and he uses the long stretch of time without customers to document his findings in a blog.

Personality
As described by his therapist Dr. V, "Jack, you have a hyper-logical approach to dealing with grief. I worry that you may have already shut down emotionally as a way of coping with your impermanence. You aren't dead yet, but sometimes you act like you don't know it.”

Jack is generally an easy-going person with a remarkable ability to mind his own business. From readings, Jack seems to be fairly intelligent, even if he doesn't believe himself to be. It's not as if he was ever praised for his behaviors or skills, in fact, it seems he was often shamed by people in his early life for wanting to learn. This belief is further exemplified because of his struggles in day-to-day tasks.

Jack has a passionate love for reading as a both a personal hobby and way to pass time amidst long periods without rest.

He thinks extremely literally, often latching onto the first thought that comes across his mind when in conversation. While not shy about asking for clarification, he can often phrase questions in an overly blunt way or rude way.

He has a tendency to be easily irritated with others, especially if they happen to be strangers or not close or relative. He's somewhat socially awkward, but is self-aware about it. He's completely oblivious to overt romantic overtures.

Jack is likely on the autism spectrum.

Jack occasionally has issues thinking quickly or well in situations where such is required. Once a plan is in place, he has no problems following through with it decisively, and has demonstrated the capacity to step up into a leadership role.

He displays an impressive unwavering commitment once he's set his mind to something, such as keeping his eyes shut for perceived months against the demon Sagoth, or staying in the gas station to fight dozens of Benja-mimics despite the strain on his mental health. He has impressive will-power.

He's dedicated to his friends to such an extent that he's willing to sacrifice himself for them. He's demonstrated extreme bravery even in the face of death.

Fatal Familial Insomnia (Perceived)
Jack suffers from Fatal Familial Insomnia. His condition makes him prone to forgetfulness, disorientation, delusion, and hallucination. He is also incapable of passing out, being knocked unconscious, or being medically put under. He came to terms with his condition early, and is now indifferent about his impermanence.

The next paragraph contains spoilers.

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
It was revealed by Dr. Vicedomini in the third book that Jack doesn’t have FFI, but instead has REM Sleep Behavior Disorder and sleeps more than the average person. He enters the lightest possible stage of REM sleep, and acts out his dreams. He retains enough awareness of what's happening in reality that neither he nor the people around him have any reason to believe he's asleep.

Broken Leg and Amputation
Jack broke his leg for the first time after being beaten by Spencer and thrown down a hole. He was given crutches and a leg cast that went above his knee.

He likely breaks his leg a second time when the Dark God drops him after dragging him through the earth.

Presumably a third time when a group of townspeople attack him and Jerry at the gas station, the leader breaking his leg.

He woke up in the hospital after having it amputated due to prior attack infection.

His pinkie was also crudely amputated later on by Spencer Middleton during an attack.

History
This section contains spoilers.

His father was extremely physically abusive and likely neglectful and emotionally abusive as well. Jack mentioned that his father had taken him to his first Klan rally when he was 3, broke his arm and 3 of his toes when he was 7, also refusing to take him to the hospital, resulting in him having to hitchhike. At one point, his father even threw him out of a moving car because he couldn't stop hiccuping. Little is known about Jack's Mother.

It's not known when he was put into foster care, but he grew up with foster brothers and foster sisters. Their foster mother left them the house, but all of Jack's brothers and sisters moved on away from the town, leaving him the sole occupant of the house.

Jack was diagnosed with Fatal Familial Insomnia as a teenager.

Jack went to the same schools as Spencer Middleton, in the graduating class behind his. Kieffer also went to his high school several years earlier.

He began working at the gas station right after graduating from high school.

Through high school, he had a girlfriend named Sabine, the daughter of the owners of the gas station. However, near the onset of his insomnia, the pair of them experienced a car crash. He speculates he may have fallen asleep at the wheel, but it isn't confirmed one way or the other. Deputy Tom informed him he was likely was bumped off the road by another car. Either way, the accident left Sabine in a coma. Jack believes he has not slept since.

Later, it's revealed that his belief is incorrect. In actuality, he has REM Sleep Behavior Disorder and sleeps more than normal people. He demonstrates enough awareness that neither he nor the people around him have any reason to suspect he's dreaming.

Appearance

 * Caucasian
 * Pale or lightly tanned skin
 * Messy black hair "in need of a haircut"
 * Underweight
 * Smaller stature than average - scrawny and weak looking
 * Generally looks younger than he is
 * Dark bags under his eyes at all times
 * Green eyes
 * Missing smallest finger, left hand
 * Prosthetic leg, right, knee-down

Trivia

 * Jack has been asked by the city council not to talk about the gas station online, but he continues to anyway.
 * He has terrible handwriting.
 * He still has one baby tooth.
 * In school, he was usually at the top of his class.
 * He was strangely advanced as a child- In multiple ways, excluding athletic.
 * Built his own computer once as a child
 * Generally terrible at metaphors
 * He's not a gun guy, but often finds himself in possession of a gun anyway.
 * In fact, the first time he used a gun, he threw it at his attacker instead of shooting it. Surprisingly, he hit his target.
 * As voiced by Mr.Creepypasta, Jack has a generally flat or monotone voice.