Grounded

Two men sit perched on a cliffside. One is heavily bandaged on his backside.

"I know a great physical therapist; he'll make it better. But don't expect results overnight. You'll have to be dedicated. He can only help you if you really work for it."

"You know I can't afford that."

"So, what're you going to do then? End up like Diane. Grounded and stuck climbing trees like some squirrel?"

"Maybe."

"Please. You're the one who's always complaining about her, like, how she tries to make us feel sorry for her."

"I guess I was wrong. Maybe I didn't understand... It hurts so bad. Even a span extension..." He grimaces.

They sit in silence. He picks up a small rock and hurls it from the precipice. They watch as it descends, until it's no longer visible.

"Tell you what, Joe. I'll stay grounded too. You know, voluntarily, like... solidarity. Yeah, that's right; protest like. If we're grounded it's because we want to be."

He grimaces again as he shifts his weight. "It still hurts, though."