Meanwhile, the Cottages have been left with the case of Lane the professional bullrider and his body, scans of which show the results of years of abuse. There are pins and plates all over him. That means no MRI (OF DOOOM!!) and probably no X-rays, either. Taub is just annoyed that House is faking sick because Cuddy dumped him, which is news to Martha. She's very upset on House's behalf. "Don't do that. Don't get sucked in," Taub warns. Martha says she can't help but feel bad for the guy who has made her life nothing but miserable. I don't understand her. Taub says he feels bad for House, but also expects him to act like an adult and come to work instead of holing himself up somewhere with alcohol, Vicodin, and hookers. Foreman and Chase have known House long enough not to expect this, and Chase has known Foreman long enough to know he only agreed to take this case on while House is gone for the chance to seize control temporarily. Martha innocently asks what Taub meant when he said House was taking Vicodin, and Chase makes fun of her for having no friends and thus never hearing through the PPTH grapevine that her boss is a drug addict. Martha, of course, does not like hearing of House's ethical violations one bit.

Foreman ignores her and decides to go back to Lane, who has various bull-stomping injuries, partial hearing loss, low fever, muscle weakness, and neurological problems. Foreman thinks the first two can be explained by the bull attack, while Martha wonders if the hearing loss is actually one of his symptoms and Lane has an inner ear problem. They'd love to scan his head and prove Martha's theory, but, of course, they can't as Lane's skull is basically one big metal plate. Martha suggests getting around that by testing Lane's balance. Foreman says that sounds like a plan, and sends the Cottages off to do it. Chase decides to be a dick and test Foreman's authority by asking what happens if someone disagrees with him. Foreman just stares at him, and Chase says he agrees with Foreman and sends Taub and Martha off.