"I believed you guys. Didn't expect the boss to be such an ass though." BPA Ed Harrison said by way of apology.

"Yeah, but you're ex military. He isn't. He's got his head so far up his butt hole he's eating shit." Dan didn't want to think of the wait for laxatives to work their way through his guts.

"Sorry you had to go through that," Ed said, "but can I make up for it by giving you a ride part way up to LA? I live an hour north of here."

"Sure man," Sky agreed

"Fuck it Sky, I've had it. I need a doctor, I'm still stuffed up, and I want something to eat that isn't nuts and chocolate. I want a steak. A giant size rib eye." Dan knew it was pain talking but he wasn't about to say it.

"You're going to let a pissy Station Chief get the better of you? I'm as hollow as you are. I want that money. You deserve it more than I do." Sky argued.

"Hey, Dan I've got allergy pills at my place, my roommate has horrible problems. He's got a bunch of different stuff for it. And there's a truck stop in our town with an all night diner. Good food for cheap. I eat there all the time. I'll even give you a few bucks." Ed had told them he'd do what he could to help them finish the challenge.

Dan watched as Sky turned the glasses off.

"If you quit now, you're never going to forgive yourself. Ed, do you have anything stronger than Advil? His shoulder is killing him, and we ran out of pain meds over a day ago."

"Got muscle relaxants, and I can spare a migraine pill. I've got a couple extras." Ed said as they climbed into his car.

"What do you think Dan? Sky asked.

"If I can break this pain for even a few hours, I'll keep going."

Dan said from the back seat. "Move your seat up a bit Sky, I'm eating my knees back here."

"If you want, you can stay at my place. We've got a couple of couches you can crash on. I've got a buddy going to LA tomorrow, I'll see if he can give you a lift the rest of the way back." Ed swung his car onto the highway.

"Let's stop at that truck stop," Dan said. "Let's get the pills at your place, Ed and if you'd be kind enough, take us over to the truck stop. We'll hitch a ride with one of the semis. You've done enough for us."

"You got it."