if the alternator is going bad, which it sounds like the problem is, keeping it revved up wont matter

I still haven't heard from the dealer, so I don't know yet whether I'm looking at a simple dead battery or something more complex. My dad's theory is that the battery may have gone dry, so it won't take a charge any more. Given my dealer's typical efficiency, they'll probably call me later today to say that they still haven't gotten started, but they still don't have a loaner car for me.

*sigh*