Rob has been a little testy with both Sally but particularly Buddy about differences in their approaches to the show. Rob's testiness increases when he learns that Buddy has been getting invitations to Alan's house, and receiving gifts from Alan, such as a Meershatz pipe. Rob, who sees specifically the pipe as a symbol, feels snubbed and unappreciated by Alan, who he believes will soon give Buddy his job. Rob takes his irritable state home, where he unintentionally but nonetheless takes his frustrations out on Laura and Ritchie. Things for Rob get worse when he comes down with a cold or flu, which requires him to get some bed rest. The show goes on without him. He hears through the grapevine that the show is going a little too well without him. In light of his feelings about the situation, Rob thinks about taking some drastic measures to ensure his long term future in the comedy writing business.
—Huggo