In the room, Alex can't resist the lure of the bedframe. He sloughs off belts and packs like a lizard losing skin, and once he's down to just pants and his undershirt, he plops facedown on the bed.

ED-E quietly burbles concern. "Just tired," he mutters into the mattress. He'll repeat it as many times as it takes.

ED-E hovers. Dogmeat keeps snoring.