After Dave volunteers to take care of the family by himself so Beth can study without interruptions, he has to fly solo and deal with a variety of problems including Kenny's request for a loan of $2,000, Tommy's radical new hairdo and a pony in the backyard. Dave struggles to keep each ""event"" from Beth so she can focus on studying for an important exam. Meanwhile, Kenny's friendship with Shel is strained when Shel refuses to lend him the money to try his hand as a concert promoter.