Charlene and her best friend Mindy complain about how they couldn't sit anywhere at lunch because the Alpha Bitch was at the only remaining table and wouldn't let them sit with her. They see a television ad for a very expensive fur coat, one where the head of the mammal it's made from is included and still alive. They want one, but Fran refuses to spend so much money on such a coat for Charlene. After overhearing Charlene and Earl arguing about it, Ethyl decides to give Charlene the 500 dollars to buy it (money that she was saving for Charlene's college education). Charlene and Mindy agree to share the coat, but the coat gets Charlene to break off her friendship with Mindy instead. When Charlene gets invited to hang out with a popular girl, her coat tells her that she needs more fashion than just the coat, and encourages Charlene to steal Earl's credit card so she can buy more outfits. While at the store, she encounters the popular girl. While Charlene tries on new outfits, the coat lets the girl try him on, and he ends up staying on her, refusing to let Charlene wear him again. Earl and Fran find out that Charlene stole Earl's credit card, and Charlene is quick to admit it. After being grounded, Charlene calls Mindy.
Includes examples of
- An Aesop: Status is not the key to a happy life.
- Bait-and-Switch: After Fran refuses to buy the coat for Charlene, Charlene says that she might appreciate it more if she works for it. Cut to her "working" for it by sucking up to Earl.
- Don't Wake the Sleeper: When Charlene's coat convinces her to steal Earl's credit card, she finds Earl asleep in front of the television. She manages to steal Earl's credit card without waking him up, but Baby witnesses this and she has to pay him a dollar (which he eats) for his silence.
- First Appearance: Mindy.
- Guest Star: Tim Curry as the coat, commercial announcer and the "Totally Hidden Predator" host.
- Jumping Out of a Cake: Discussed; Ethyl pays Charlene $500.00 in money she was saving for her college education, saying that the only way Charlene will get into college is inside a cake at a frat boy's party.
- Live Mink Coat: Charlene buys a coat which is a real mink-like creature. The coat is very snooty and starts telling her which friends are not high-class enough to be friends of "theirs". In the end, Charlene decides some fashions just aren't worth it.
- Meaningful Name: Naturally the most popular girl in school is named Heather.
- Screw the Rules, I Have Money!: Baby sees Charlene stealing the credit card and she gives him some money to keep him silent. Baby eats it.
- You Are Grounded!: After stealing the credit card, Charlene tells Fran that she doesn't need to ground her because she's learned her lesson, but Fran still grounds her nonetheless.
