Gregory Ashton set out alone from his apartment in Mar Vista, California for an extended walk. It was spring in the year 20–, and Gregory needed exercise. His doctor had recently diagnosed him as morbidly obese and pre-diabetic. If Gregory did not change his lifestyle, his health was sure to fail. He could no longer consume breads, pastas, sweets, or his weekly Mai Tai. He had to walk at least two miles a day. To those who lived in Los Angeles, this was a Herculean task. It was a well-recorded fact that nobody walked in LA. Gregory couldn't recall the last time he did more than stroll through