Had the same feeling about a mandatory team lunch at my old job. Found out just showing up for the first 15 minutes and then politely leaving worked fine. It met the "showed up" requirement without wasting my whole lunch break. Managers usually just want to see your face anyway. After a couple times, they didn't even notice when I slipped out early.

Man, that weight difference is no joke. I saw a video where a guy used a dead blow hammer to tap sheets into place, which helps when you're alone. @miller.tara's T-brace idea is solid for getting that first edge secured.

Sounds like a great way to hide the break room.