Is it numb enough to curb the excruciating pain he's about to experience? Hell no. But the new ice pack does help a little, soothing the grating, raw pain to a dull, deep ache that's a little easier to tolerate.

Either way, he's gonna be in a world of hurt in a second, and he has to mentally prepare himself. At least he's been through worse.

"Yeah," he grunts, "let's get it over with."

He's about as ready as he'll ever be.