I'm thinking the 'perfect' ending for TSR: Sam reveal his truth to Nik then Nik encourage Sam to tell it to William. Things go like William's route which mean he takes Nik, Sam, and Murdoch to the mine. In the way back, Murdoch throw a joke (and half serious) about last night bet. Then the things go like Murdoch route which he offer Sam to work in Red's for extra cash. Somehow, Cliff still looking for Sam and the end Sam help him with his research. Will it work?
It's too abrupt for Sam reveal his truth to William in William's route. Meanwhile William give Nik and Sam pressures in Nik's route by suddenly visiting them. It make them lied to him. Nik knows that William is a good guy, isn't that why he tells William about Sam? Nik can encourage Sam to tell the sheriff the full story.
In other hand, it's unreasonable for Sam to take Murdoch bet because he has Nik waiting him and Cliff on his booking list. Sam can amazed by Cliff's story about overseas and willing to help Cliff in his research with a thought that he can follows Cliff. For that, Sam works in Red's for extra cash after a night with Murdoch.
Ah well, the mental state can make someone take unreasonable decision.
"The Smoke room" refers to Sam's room. Though that, as I remember it only mentioned in Nik's route when Sam meets Cliff. I expected that the Smoke Room is a special place along the story for all of our main characters. Yet, it a bit strange because after route selection, Sam's room become less and less mentioned. However, I realized that the team pick "The Smoke Room" as the title because it mean : "It started from the Smoke Room"
Anyway, this is a good VN. Looking for the next update....
Cheers!