"You sure you okay, Joey?".
Sal had become concerned halfway through the punishment, as his best friend's limp became more and more prominent. He regretted having persuaded Joe to jump onto the real tables and also was surprised at how hard his friend was hitting the floor after jumping onto the breakaway tables. They had made sure they used plenty of foam on the fake tables, intending that foam to fall under Joe and break his fall, but it wasn't working that way on every table.
"You can stop, buddy. You are hurt."
Joe whispered back into his ear.
"I'm okay, Sal. Just sore. It's fine.".
Murr and Q both shook their heads. They both were also willing and eager to let Joe off the hook and end the punishment.
"Let's just call it good, Joe. Come on man, forget about it. You did enough"
Q's rough exterior hid a very soft and loyal interior. He also knew Joe very well and he knew he was hurting, he could see it in the heavy itallian features and he could hear it in his voice. He was as ready as Sal to let their friend off the hook. Physically pulling Joe out of the dining hall was on the edge of his mind.
Murray was also ready to end the punishment and spoke up after Q's words got nothing but "I'm fine" out of Joe.
"Joey, stop being a hardheaded jackass and get over here. You're hurt and it's time to stop. Don't jump your dumb ass off that ladder".
"Guys, I'm fine, I promise. I can do it, it will be great for the show.".
Sal shook his head in frustration.
"You think we are more worried about ratings than keeping your dumb ass in one piece? But Okay, Joey, do it, I know we won't talk you out of it. Do me a favor though and don't go the top rung. Stay low. Be careful, man.". There was a short pause before Sal spoke agian.."
Shit, Joe, I don't know why you just can't listen to us and get over here, you can barely walk."
"I'm okay, Sal" and with that Joe climbed to the third rung of the ladder while the other three guys forced themselves to laugh nonchalantly for the camera.
Joe, always ready to do anything to make people laugh, made a big production of jumping off the ladder onto the break away table.
The landing hurt as his elbow and arm made contact with the hard floor, but Joe was careful with his landing and knew in a few days all the bumps and bruises would be gone.
One last show for the camera and a little whisper to his friends that he was okay and he got up to make his way backstage.
Three steps later he hit water and slipped.
White hot pain went through his leg and ankle, as seconds later, Joe hit the floor hard.
Trying to rationalize through the pain, the normally fearless man could only think to call out to his friends for help.
Sal, Q, and Murr, feeling it was over and hearing Joe confirm he was okay, began to relax and were laughing at the whole crazy scheme when the pain filled whisper came through their ears. They were the only ones who were attached to Joe's headset. Nobody else could hear him.
"My leg is broke."
"Oh shit...okay, okay, stay still Joey, we are coming.". Sal hoped he kept his voice calm enough to help comfort Joe.
"Dammit"
Q threw his headset off and ran towards the dining room with Sal and Murr on his heels.
Murr hollered to the other crew that Joe was hurt as they left the little room.
Being a firefighter often comes in handy on the set. Q is often able to help his friends, but often this is in little ways, bumps and bruises and the like.
This time proved different.
Q was the first to get to Joe, who had a small crowd of people gathered around him.
Dropping to his knees beside his fallen friend's legs, Q immediately saw the blood on the pants leg, above Joe's right ankle. Gently, he pulled the pants legs up and saw bone protruding through the skin. There was also blood seeping out the top of the brand new pair of Nikes Joe was so happy to show them just a few hours ago, indicationg another traumatic break to the ankle or foot. Q noted the seriousness of the situation as he took in the growing pool of blood around Joe's leg, as well as the new sneakers that were being slowly covered by bright red. He was afraid for his friend.
He looked at Sal and Murr who was at either side of Joe's head, trying desperately to comfort him as blue eyes looked up at them in panic and unbearable pain.
Realizing that Sal and Murr were probably best where they were, that Joe would stay calmer with what he saw as he brothers by his side, he spoke to anyone who would listen, as calmly as he could, trying not to alarm Joe anymore than necassary. Joe who was already losing color as the seconds went by.
"Somebody call an ambulance. We have two bad breaks and he's loosing a lot of blood. I also need a couple of clean towels."
Casey Jost somehow showed up next to him, with his cell phone out and calling 911, explaining the situation.
Joe attempted to set up and look at his leg at this point, gentle hands on each shoulder pushing him back to the floor.
Sal, unable to steady his voice, still tried his best to speak calmly.
"Just lay down, Joey. You'r going to be okay, Buddy."
He rubbed the shoulder under his hand.
"Just hang tough, an ambulance is on the way and Q will keep you together until they get here."
He spoke with as much conviction and confidence as he could muster, but he could also see the light going out of Joe's eyes as his skin got more and more pale. He also did not fail to notice the blood that was slowly beginning to spread on the floor around his friend's lower body.
Murr, by this point, had gotten in front of Joe's face and spoke loudly to him, Tears, non ashamedly, rolling down his face. When his friends hurt, he hurt.
"You stay awake, Joe. Stay with us, man.".
He gently tapped each cheek, trying desperately to keep Joe awake and aware.
"He's right, Joey, don't go to sleep, okay buddy?" Q's voice was shaking by this point, tears also unabashebly rolling down his face. His tears were the result of not only feeling Joe's pain but also born of growing panic. He had enough training to know the amount of blood lost was becoming a real danger. They needed the ambulance to get there and get there fast.
Baby blue eyes tried to close and voices started screaming at him, bringing him to awareness. He forced his eyes open again.
"Where is the fucking ambulance, Casey?!".
"It's stuck in traffic, ten minutes out"
"We can't wait that fucking long. He's lost way too much blood".
With that, Q, as gently as possible, picked his half concious friend from the floor. Joe immediately became lucid and screamed in pain.
"I'm sorry man, I know it hurts, and I'm sorry."
With that he began to walk briskly outside, jostling his burden as he went, Joe screaming in agony at every step.
Q knew Sal and Murr would be right behind them, so he screamed behind him.
"Who's car is closest, guys?"
"My car is right around the corner"
Sal ran ahead to open the door so Joe could be laid in the back seat.