Let Babylon Burn - He doesn't talk about it

But some nights last forever, even in the morning light.
He doesn't talk about it,
So don't ask him to explain; just sit with him in silence till he finds his way again.
He works all day, fixing engines, old radio, playing lore.
Everybody likes the quiet man,
But nobody really knows why he hates the smell of burning,
Why he always scans the room,
Why a siren in the distance can change his whole afternoon.