Ed

Ed stands at the Communications Office door and vocalizes curiosity, asking aloud who just passed, converting a passing sighting into a question that demands identification and contextualization.

Ed supplements Larry with additional statistics and comparisons, reinforcing the encyclopedic tone and unintentionally fueling Toby’s frustration.

Ed walks with Larry and Leo, supplies the conversational counterpoint that outside Iowa the ethanol percentages may not resonate, and offers a small, defensive reassurance — 'At least we're going …

Ed supplies practical phrasing history—pointing out alternatives such as 'people like yourself'—and participates in the deliberation as a corroborating voice for softer wording.

The unnamed staffer enters the Mural Room briefly, places glasses of water on the table amid rising tension, then exits silently, providing logistical support without engaging in the confrontation.

Unnamed staffer urgently shushes the group into silence as Toby enters and prepares to speak, enforcing focus for the rebuke.

Present among staff as unnamed figure enforcing hush earlier, now part of deflated group Toby leaves behind, facilitating the somber exit atmosphere.

Ed walks by inseparably with Larry through the lobby; Larry deflects Josh's Toby probe with a dark cancer joke, Ed chimes in playfully affirming their 'weird' duo status to Josh's …