Okay, Canarsie, I found a very inexpensive way for you to get to the Soup Do.

Alamo is running a special -- $10 a day for a car up to a full size, with a pick up in Florida and a return out of state. Includes a tank of gas. Restrictions: Available to US residents and only good from April 1 until July 18. Minimum 5 day rental. Maximum 21 days.

1. Arrange for Traveller to rent the car in Melbourne.
2. Have her pick you up in Marietta.
3. Drive up to New York for the Soup Do and the BRT.
4. Return the car in Atlanta.
5. Traveller can find a cheap flight back to Melbourne.

Make the trip in 6 days, staying at Motel 6s and Days Inn all the way, and the cost will be $85.73 (with taxes) r/t. Sure, you will have to pay for some gas and tolls, but that can't add up to much. (Motel costs not included, but how much can those two brands run?)

And, seeing as you already have the car -- with unlimited mileage -- you can drive the UIG and me out to our hotel in JFK in the afternoon, pick us up for dinner, and drop us off after it.