Last year's brisket took 14 hours and came out like a brick. My dog wouldn't even eat it, and he once tried to swallow a sock whole. So maybe your boss did you a favor by saving you from potential public shame. Tbh I'm the reason my friends suggest ordering pizza for cookouts now. At least with a missed contest, you still have the dream of perfect ribs. I just have the reality of being a grill menace.