Charlie hasn't gotten any jingle work for almost a year, and is almost out of money, but he's convinced that everything will work out and continues to spend heavily on his new girlfriend, Linda. Alan isn't so sure, and takes a second job testing new medications to make ends meet. Charlie spends some time with Linda's four-year-old son, and discovers a surprising talent for writing and performing children's songs.
Tropes
- Born Lucky: Charlie fell into the jingle-writing business by random chance without him actually trying to enter it, so he's assuming that another lucrative opportunity is just going to fall into his lap now that the jingle business is dead. At the end of the episode, he's proven correct, as he lands a sizable contract to make children's songs off of a CD he burned for Brandon on a whim.
- Catholic School Girls Rule: Evelyn is in the middle of some sort of sexual roleplay involving her dressed as one when Alan shows up to ask for money.
- Every Man Has His Price: Alan is told that there's a good chance he's going to experience a lot of very dangerous and damaging side effects if he agrees to take the experimental drug. He's clearly put off by this, but once he's offered a thousand dollars a week, he immediately agrees.
- Side Effects Include...: When Alan goes to sign up for the drug trials, the doctor warns him of a laundry list of potential side effects he could suffer if he takes the actual drug and not the placebo. Alan ends up with the actual drug, and many of the side effects (hair loss, sudden fainting, heart palpitations, darkening of stool) end up happening to him.
- Status Quo Is God: The dynamics of the show require Charlie to be rich and able to provide for Alan, while still not needing to work very much so he can be a carefree bachelor. So by the end of the episode, he's started a career in children's music.
