Veronica and Nish wait outside Dean O'Dell's office as he reads Claire the riot act. They can hear what's happening, and Nish asks if this was what Veronica wanted; Veronica replies, "You think this is what I wanted?" They get called into the office, and Claire is there with her lawyer (Simon Anthony), who tries to plead Claire's case, but Dean O'Dell is having none of it. He brings up Veronica's proving Claire lied about being raped, and because of that, he's expelling Claire. Claire is speechless, but as she leaves the room with her lawyer, she bitterly asks Veronica if she's happy; Veronica doesn't respond. Next, O'Dell turns his attention to Nish, wanting to know why she hasn't corrected her story blaming the Pi Sigs for the rapes. Nish claims she wanted to exercise caution, but O'Dell isn't satisfied, and he dismisses her from the editor position. Nish is shocked, but tells both O'Dell and Veronica they're going to regret it, and storms out.
Professor Winkler and Wallace, meanwhile, are waiting outside of O'Dell's office, and after Nish has left, he calls both of them in and apologizes for keeping them waiting. Veronica also leaves, though she gives Wallace a sad look before she does. In O'Dell's office, Winkler admits he partly blames himself for Wallace cheating, because he normally doesn't take in athletes, especially those with low test scores. Mindy interrupts them, bringing in O'Dell's lunch, and he teases her about not giving him a cookie. Mindy looks at Wallace and tells her husband to be merciful; when she leaves, Wallace concurs.
Meanwhile, in Veronica's criminology class, Dr. Landry is telling the class they need to do better as Tim Foyle hands back papers. Landry singles out Veronica as the only person in class worthy of an 'A', which naturally makes the rest of the class unhappy and jealous of her. As Landry dismisses the class, Tim asks if he wants to go over some studies, but Landry wants to talk to Veronica instead, and invites her to lunch.
In the food court, Landry tells Veronica she's talented enough that she should be majoring in criminology, and he wants to be her faculty adviser. Veronica is stunned but thrilled.
That night, at the Mars apartment, Veronica tells Keith about Landry, and says they both have a lot in common and Keith would like him. Keith is happy for Veronica, though he jokes about Veronica shutting him out and whether or not he could take Landry in a fight. As Veronica, smiling, goes to her bedroom, the phone rings. It's Harmony, and after checking to make sure Veronica isn't listening in, Keith talks to her. Harmony says she enjoyed spending time with him (Keith hesitatingly says he did too), and invites him to a film noir festival, since her husband is out of town for a couple of weeks. Keith doesn't answer, but looks back at Veronica's room.
The next day, Veronica shows up at Tim's office, since he texted her. He tells Veronica one of the other students accused Veronica of plagiarizing her paper. Veronica denies it, but Tim shows her the computer program teachers (and TA's) use to determine if a student plagiarized their work, and her paper showed signs. Tim admits he doesn't like Veronica personally, but says this has nothing to do with it, and gives her a choice; tell Landry herself, or he will. Landry comes in at the end of the conversation, and they both look at him.
Later, in the food court, Piz catches up with Veronica, and enthuses about the bargains he found at a garage sale. Veronica tells him what she's been accused of, and claims the universe is conspired against her. Piz takes the opportunity to invite her to go bowling; Veronica thinks he's asking her on a date, but he covers by saying Wallace and several others will be there. Veronica wonders if it'll take her mind off the fact people are out to get her, and Piz jokes, "It worked for Nixon. Veronica chuckles and indicates she'll go.
At basketball practice, Mason tells Wallace he shouldn't worry, since he's going to be allowed to drop the class even though it's past the deadline, but Wallace isn't sure he wants to. Coach Barry (Matt McKenzie) comes over, calling for a scrimmage, and tells Wallace to be on the first team. Mason isn't happy, but Coach Barry tells him he needs to play better if he wants to stay on as a starter.
In criminology class, Veronica waits till everyone comes in, and then stands up in front of the class, asking them who accused her of cheating. No one responds at first, and Veronica starts to wonder if maybe Tim really was out to get her when Jeff Ratner (David Magidoff), one of the students, says he was the one. He also asks Veronica if she knows who he is, and she admits she doesn't, even though he says they've met. And when Veronica asks why he accused her, Jeff says he likes it when a "teacher's pet" is exposed for what she really is. The class applauds him as Veronica and Jeff look at each other.
A little later, Veronica shows up at Wallace's room. Wallace is ashamed to face her because of what he did, but Veronica says at least he faced up to what he did. Wallace says he has the option of dropping the class, but that means dropping his major, and he's not sure he wants to do that. He's holding a model plane, and he reminisces about how fixing them as a kid made him want to be a mechanical engineer. Veronica assures him he'll work it out somehow, and then asks Wallace who he got the answers from. Wallace isn't happy, but tells her about Max...
...and a little later, Veronica drops by Max's room. Veronica tries to explain what she wants, but though Max doesn't understand her, he agrees to help. He finds the paper, and that it was posted by "Rory Finch" the year before, even though Veronica insists she only wrote hers the week before.
Meanwhile, Logan is taking a sociology test. While the other students stop when the proctor calls for time, Logan finishes writing a sentence. He's the last person to give the proctor the test, but he won't take it because Logan kept writing. Logan admits this, but asks the proctor to bend the rules, even asking if he knows who Logan is, but the proctor won't budge. As the proctor goes to get his jacket, Logan sneaks his test into the middle of the pile and walks out.
In the food court, Logan is telling Mercer about what happened, and Mercer laughs, until he sees Veronica and pretends he doesn't condone what Logan did. He leaves, and Logan tells Veronica what happened. Veronica jokes he'll need to turn in his "bad boy" badge if this is the worst thing he does, and rests her head on his shoulder. She invites Logan to come bowling with Piz, Wallace and the other "guys" they're bringing, and Logan agrees. Veronica then sees Parker sitting alone, and decides to invite her too. She walks over to Parker and invites her; Parker is suspicious, but Veronica just wants to bury the hatchet between them.
That night, Keith and Harmony exit a movie theater that's advertising The Maltese Falcon and The Big Sleep, and are talking about the first movie. Harmony thanks Keith for the evening. They look at each other, and then Keith hugs her.
That night, Veronica tries to sneak into Dean O'Dell's office with Weevil's keys, but none of the ones she tries work. However, when she leans against the door, she discovers it's open. She goes to the filing cabinet and starts to search through the files, but is startled when O'Dell calls out to her. She lies that she lost an earring at the meeting, but he seems distracted and tells her to search. He goes into his main office and turns on the TV, which is showing a boxing match. He asks Veronica if she likes boxing, and, realizing she can't search in peace, joins him and admits she doesn't like it. O'Dell admits Mindy doesn't like it either - along with him smoking cigars and drinking - so whenever she goes out, he goes to his office to watch. He asks Veronica not to tell Mindy anything, and she says she won't as she finds what she's looking for in the files.
The next day, Professor Winkler is surprised to see Wallace in his class, but Wallace says he's going to keep the class, take a zero on the test, and try to get a 'C' or higher on the next four tests so he can pass the test. The professor smiles and hands him a paper.
Later, Veronica is leaving work at the library when she sees Wallace. He tells her what he told the professor, and she says she figured he would. She then tells Wallace about "Rory Finch", who isn't a student, and that he actually posted the paper online a few days ago from the Neptune Grand, after Veronica had written her paper. She says she looks forward to wrangling a confession out of the guilty party; she then encourages Wallace and leaves.
A little later, Wallace is back in his room, along with Piz, who's getting ready for the bowling date. Piz pleads for Wallace to come along, so it won't look like he was asking Veronica out, but Wallace says that's not his problem and he needs to study.
That night, while Veronica comes in and goes to her room, Keith is on the phone again with Harmony, inviting her to see Out of the Past. She says she's got a conference that night, but would love to do something else, and as Veronica comes out of her room, he tells Harmony to keep him posted, and hangs up. Veronica shows him two shirts and asks which he thinks is better to go bowling with. Keith doesn't know, and Veronica good-naturedly teases him about that, as well as the noir festival he's interested in. She's less happy, however, when she hears Keith is going out with Harmony. He tries to tell her they're just friends, but Veronica gives him a look and goes back to her bedroom.
Later, Veronica goes into Logan's room at the Neptune Grand. She asks him if there's anyone on staff who would give him information he's not supposed to know...
...and a little later, the two of them greet Tina (Anna Campbell) at the reception desk. Veronica asks about "Rory Finch", and Tina says someone has checked in a few times under that name, but always paid cash and used a post office box as an address, but she's willing to call Veronica the next time he comes back. Veronica thanks her, although she makes sure to point out she's Logan's girlfriend, and the two of them leave.
At the bowling alley, Veronica and Logan run into Piz. He's surprised to see Logan there (Logan introduces himself as Veronica's boyfriend), and Veronica is surprised Wallace isn't there (Piz explains Wallace had to study) along with his "gang". It's awkward between them until Parker shows up; Veronica introduces her to Logan and re-introduces her to Piz. As Piz and Logan go get shoes, Parker accuses Veronica of trying to set her up on a date. Veronica swears she isn't, and that she didn't know the "gang" wouldn't be showing up either. Parker sighs and says she'll bowl, but won't have any fun...
...but we see her bowling a strike and she gloats about it and high-fives Logan. Piz and Veronica, who are on the other team, both look bummed. As Piz gets up to bowl, Parker apologizes for being grumpy before, and admits this is what she needed. She then proceeds to ask about Piz as he gets a 7-10 split, followed by a gutter ball.
Back in Logan's hotel suite, Veronica grouses she's never going to do it again, and also about the fact Parker wants her to find out if Piz likes Parker. She sees Logan's test (he got an 'A'), and Logan mentions Horshack got caught by the teacher for taking Rafe's test for him. Just then, room service comes to the door. As Logan goes to get it, Veronica recognizes the voice. It's Jeff Ratner. Veronica walks to the door and accuses Jeff of being "Rory Finch". Jeff points out he's been working there two years and Veronica never paid attention to her. He tells Logan he hopes the food is to his liking and leaves, and Veronica reiterates her desire to make him pay.
The next morning, Wallace is asleep when the alarm goes off. Piz wakes him up, and Wallace, upset, races out of the room.
At basketball practice, Wallace apologizes to Coach Barry for being late. The coach tells him he needs to buckle down, and Wallace goes to get changed.
A little later, Veronica goes to the Hearst radio station, dreading about what she has to do. When she sees Piz is off the phone, she greets him and thanks him for the bowling night. Piz admits he had fun as well. Veronica, uncomfortable, gets around to asking him about Parker, and when Piz gets what she's asking about, says he likes Parker but she's not his type. He looks clearly at Veronica while he says this.
In Wallace's mechanical engineering class, Professor Winkler hands Wallace his practice quiz back; he got a 'D+'. Winkler sincerely tells him he showed improvement, but Wallace isn't happy.
At the Hearst library, Parker comes up to Veronica, who's working, and tells him she found out about Parker working at a radio station. She suggests they stop by...
...and a little later, they come by just as Piz finishes up and is introducing the next show, "Club Flush". Parker waves at him, and Piz unenthusiastically waves back. As Piz walks out of the booth to join them, he glares at Veronica - who says they were in the neighborhood, but an oblivious Parker says they should go out for pizza or something. Mercer comes in, holding a slice, and Veronica greets him, saying she didn't know he did the "Club Flush" show. Mercer introduces himself to Parker, and they shake hands, but Parker stops smiling, and says they have to go. As she runs out of the room, Veronica follows her, as Mercer and Piz, confused, stare after them.
In the hallway, Parker tells Veronica she recognizes Mercer's cologne from the night she was raped. Veronica says since Mercer's show runs for two hours, she'll look into it...
...and a little later, with the help of Weevil's keys, she sneaks into Mercer's room. She finds a bottle of cologne and writes down the brand name, and she also finds a plastic bottle of pills and some hair clippers.
The next day, at the sheriff's department, Lamb is surprised to see Veronica in his office. She tells Lamb about Mercer and what she saw in his room. For once, Lamb seems ready to believe her; he mentions having found two bottles of GHB along with the cashbox that was robbed from Mercer's room.
At the gym, Wallace tells Coach Barry he has to drop out of the basketball team for the first semester because of his mechanical engineering class, even though he realizes it'll cost him his scholarship. Coach Barry says he won't make Wallace give up the scholarship, but hopes he realizes he won't be able to start on the team if this happens. Wallace indicates he does, but doesn't look happy.
At the Neptune Grand, Veronica goes up to Tina, who gives her a card that says Rory Finch is back and is in room 906. Veronica starts to head towards the room when, to her surprise, she sees Keith in the hotel bar. He's surprised to see her as well. Veronica asks what he's doing, and Keith again says he's just meeting with Harmony as a friend. Veronica says she's worried, even though Keith says he knows what he's doing.
Veronica knocks on room 906, and is stunned to find Mindy there. She lies that she has the wrong room, and walks back to the elevator. She's equally stunned when the doors open and Professor Landry comes out, holding a bottle of champagne. Veronica says she got off on the wrong floor, and Landry, thinking nothing of it, says he'll see her in class. Veronica gets into the elevator as Landry heads off, but something occurs to her, and when she asks, "Rory Finch?", he turns around.
Meanwhile, Keith brings over two martinis to a table where Harmony is sitting. Harmony mentions how she doesn't want to live life with any regrets, and she tells him she got a room for them. Keith says he likes her, but he's not ready to do anything like that. She apologizes, and he leaves.
Keith is driving home, but as he stops at an intersection, about to turn, a truck crashes into him. Fortunately, the airbag pops up, so Keith is okay, and the truck driver, apologetic, comes up to him, worried. As the driver goes to call for help, Keith, somewhat dazed, starts to laugh at himself.
A little later, Harmony is in her hotel room when she hears a knock on the door. It's Keith. They embrace passionately and start to kiss each other.
The next morning, at the Mars apartment, Veronica calls for Keith as she makes breakfast, but when she goes to his room, she sees his bed hasn't been slept in.
A little later, Veronica goes to Tim's office and shows him the proof that she didn't plagiarize her paper. She then asks him why he did this to her, and without admitting anything, he mentions he once thought of Professor Landry the same way she does, until he found out he was having an affair (he calls Mindy Landry's latest affair). Veronica tells him not to do any more favors for her. She then sees Tim has a board following the rape case. Tim asks what she thinks, but she demurs. He then chuckles at the idea Veronica thought Jeff Ratner was behind it. Veronica gets a look of shock on her face and says, "Oh, Crap!"...
In Professor Winkler's class, Wallace is intently taking notes.
Veronica is at the food court when Dean O'Dell calls her over to his table. She hesitantly joins him. He tells her he doesn't like most students, especially when they try to tell him how to do his job, but he comes to the food court because he loves the burgers they make, and asks Veronica not to tell Mindy. Veronica is clearly uncomfortable with this, and is about to tell O'Dell about Mindy and Landry, but chickens out and merely tells him he's got food on his chin. Just then, Logan comes up and tells Veronica he needs to talk to her. Veronica excuses herself and they walk several feet away. When she asks Logan what's up, he tells her Lamb has arrested Mercer for the rapes, and Logan knows Mercer is innocent, since he was with him during the rape in the summer, but he can't tell Veronica how he knows or what he was doing him. Veronica stares at him in shock.
This episode contains examples of:
- Batman Gambit: The plagiarism accusation turns out to be one of these set up by Tim.
- Broken Pedestal: Dr. Landry for Veronica (and, once upon a time, for Tim). Veronica also feels this way about Keith.
- Call-Back: The "friendship" between Horshack and Rafe. Also serves as Foreshadowing.
- Calling the Old Man Out: Veronica does this to Keith for seeing Harmony.
- Foreshadowing: Mercer's guilt or innocence. Plus, this isn't the last we see of Jeff Ratner. Finally, Landry's affair with Mindy O'Dell, as well as his strained relationship with Tim, become *very* important later.
- Police Are Useless: Lamb finally listens to Veronica about a suspect, and he does the dumbest possible thing. He arrests Mercer without first building a case against him.
- Shout-Out: The episode title is a shout out to High Fidelity. Also, when Piz talks about the garage sale he went to - where a lady threw her husband out of the house and was selling his stuff for dirt cheap, including valuable records like London Calling by The Clash - it's referencing a similar scene in the novel (not in the movie, though it's a deleted scene on the DVD).
- When Veronica points out she only wrote her paper the week before, and the paper was posted online a year before, Max snarks it must have been a Kafkaesque experience for her.
- When Veronica, Logan, Parker and Piz go bowling, there's a banner reading "The Big Lebowlski".
- When Veronica wants to invite Parker along to go bowling because she seems lonely, Logan snarks that it's very "Emma" of her.
- While encouraging Wallace, Veronica calls him "Rocky" and mechanical engineering "Mr. T".
- When Wallace is late for practice, Mason calls him "Sleeping Beauty".
