Daria writes a short story and feels conflicted about the idea of submitting it for publication after Jane and Tom give conflicting thoughts on her work.
The Fashion Club also takes a stab at writing when they decide to print a newsletter with hot fashion tips, only to panic when each of their predictions on new trends turn out to be completely wrong.
Tropes:
- Cannot Keep a Secret: Mr. O'Neill runs into Daria at the post office, and Daria asks him to not tell anyone that she is submitting a story to Musings Magazine. He ends up casually mentioning it in the middle of a class without realizing it. Of course, Ms. Barch also found out from him.
- Comically Missing the Point: Stacy mentions that "a tenth of a cent" is donated to charity for every household watching the fashion awards show and the Fashion Club believes they're contributing to a worthy cause. They fail to realize they could've raised more money had they each watched the show in their own respective houses.
- Continuity Nod: Helen learns about her niece Erin’s divorce, which would get resolved in “Aunt Nauseum”
- Epic Fail: The Fashion Club's attempt at a newsletter ends up bombing when professional articles reveal that absolutely none of the trends they predicted are going to happen. Luckily for them, the only people who bought their paper were the boys in an attempt to impress them.
- Lame Pun Reaction:Sandi: That's a good idea, Quinn. Donating a new mirror will reflect well on us.(beat)Sandi: ... reflect well on us?Quinn: Ohh...(awkward laughter)
- Moment Killer: Helen's main concern is Daria's (non-existent) sexual life with Tom, so she tries to be around whenever they are alone in the same room. She arrives when they were just kissing briefly and starts panicking.
- Oh, Crap!: Invoked by Daria when she realizes she's late for meeting Jane.
- Second Place Is for Winners: Played with. Daria initially feels shitty when she receives her rejection letter, only for Tom to realize it told her the story she submitted wasn't right for them at the time and they want her to submit again in the future.
- Suspiciously Specific Denial: When Daria asks Ms. Barch how she found out about her story, Ms. Barch tries to brush it off as casual gossip between colleagues... who were definetely clothed, with no oils involved. No wonder Daria and Jane feel the sudden need to Brain Bleach.
- Understanding Boyfriend: Tom tries to be supportive to Daria by encouraging her to submit a story she wrote.
