"Joe, hey bud, what's up?" Cary probably should've figured it out but it was just so far out to think...

Joe readjusted his glasses back on his nose and attempted an "I'm okay" but it broke down to the weak squeak of a mouse. It was becoming more definite to Cary what had him so upset.

"No, no way. . .!"

"I thought I was safe, had stopped looking at the boards."

Cary was shocked. Joe looked crushed. Well, he would be crushed, literally, or whatever they did to those who were deducted.