Your protog sounds kind of dumb. '...for some damned reason.'?

If there is a risk of 'Jelipine' attack then he'd better have a good reason to go out--a really good reason. Turkey City lexicon warns regarding having a protaganist doing something stupid just to suit the plot. Presumably if he doesn't go for the cigar the story won't happen.

You say -- instead of pulling down the black outs and turning in

Huh? I would normally presume that black outs meant coverings to prevent light from leaking out. So, night would be when activity was less. You even begin with saying that NY used to be active all night.

But he doesn’t pull them down but he does look out the window? So, what are these black outs?
Do people not go out at all day or night? Can’t picture that.
Why didn’t he go out at night to the store?

Worst of all, if no one goes out during the day, why would he think the shop was open???

See my confusion?