In Washington D.C., Ben and April receive care packages from Leslie and Andy, filled with goodies from Leslie and laundry from Andy. The pair are still settling into their new environment, with Ben trying to get his interns in line, while April remains her cheeky self that puts in minimal effort. Ben is not pleased with his interns' insubordination and attempts to be more assertive but to no avail.
Meanwhile, in Pawnee, Leslie has proposed her first bill: to put a tax on all the city's sugary sodas so as to discourage citizens from drinking them. She meets with Pawnee Restaurant Association spokeswoman Kathryn Pinewood to discuss the terms of her bill and to question the reasoning behind the city's growing drink sizes. Kathryn retorts Leslie and her bill by stating if her bill passes, local restaurants will suffer and massive job losses will ensue. Leslie attempts to call her bluff, but Kathryn insists that she vote against the bill or a press release will be issued that puts the blame solely on Leslie for the supposed job losses. Leslie is now caught in a tough spot.
Elsewhere, Chris and Tom have volunteered to help get Andy into shape for his police entrance exam, which is just three months away. Andy sees it as a daunting task, but Chris assures him that if he can focus his mind and his body, anything is possible. The trio head to the Pawnee Community College running track where Chris and Tom coach Andy during his two-mile run, which he has to be able to complete in under 25 minutes. After his first attempt sees him finish in just under 30 minutes, Chris tries to motivate Andy by asking him to recite why he wants to be a policeman. Andy's reason to do it for April hits Chris deep, as his reason for staying fit is purely for physical reasons. Chris begins to realize he runs to keep himself from remembering how alone he is, causing his body to quit on him as he falls into a depressed state.
After seeing crude, mocking drawings of him on the wall, Ben calls his boss Jennifer Barkley to request intern changes, but upon realizing how well-connected they all are, he changes his tactics and attempts to be a more laid-back and "cool" boss instead, specifically trying to get on Ellis' good side. He organizes a pizza party and a game of frisbee to try and gain his interns' respect, but just when he thinks he's on track to being on their level, another crude drawing pops up on the wall, leading to Ben lashing out at Ellis. He then finds out, however, that it was April who was putting up the drawings as a way of trying to get Ben to loosen up. Ben does not appreciate the gesture as he was the one who brought April to D.C. because he saw potential in her and calls her out on slacking off. April apologizes to Ben and gets to work getting the interns in line with her intimidating demeanor.
Later, Tom and Andy visit Chris in his office and recommend Chris see a therapist, which Chris receives as a positive suggestion.
Leslie begins doubting herself and her judgment, so she holds a public forum to gauge the community's view and insists on getting Ron's opinion on what she should do. The forum comes up empty, while Ron tells her to go with her gut and not worry about a slightly negative image. She does just that, voting yes to the bill. With 3 votes to 2, the bill passes. Leslie notes afterward that Kathryn and her association would never lay people off, effectively calling her bluff.
Tropes
- Brilliant, but Lazy: Ben calls April out on this, pointing out that she needs to put some effort into her job.
- Comfort Food: While Leslie is working hard to limit the consumption of sugar in this town, she has a sugar problem herself especially when she's distressed and she feels inclined to eat sugar thinking it'll make her feel better, forcing Ann to intervene.
- Cut His Heart Out with a Spoon: April threatens to scoop the lazy intern Ellis' eyes out with a melon baller if he doesn't do his work.
- Eye Scream: April threatens Ellis with this if he doesn't get his work done."Ben told you to finish the website, and if you don't do it, I swear to God, I'm gonna murder you in your sleep. I know where you live. 14th Street, right? I'm gonna get a melon baller and scoop your eyes out and eat them, and your congressman uncle is gonna have to buy you a dog to drag your eyeless face around. Do you understand me?"
- Fast-Food Nation: Ron defends his right to eat as much junk food and drink as much soda as he wants because he's an American and Leslie shouldn't force him to eat healthier.Ron: God, I love this country.
- Gigantic Gulp: The soda sizes served at Paunch Burger are massive. A "child-sized" soda (512 oz) is about the size of a small child!
- Hero with Bad Publicity: Leslie is blackmailed to vote against her own soda tax bill by Kathryn Pinewood or else Pinewood would immediately state that jobs have been lost and it's due to Leslie's soda tax.
- Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!: Ben is apprehensive about firing his lazier interns because many of them are related to or have social ties to powerful political figures.
- "Take That!" Kiss: April gives the lazy, rude, overprivileged intern Ellis one of these on the nose, right after she's scared the crap out of him (see Eye Scream, above).
- Therapy Is for the Weak: Averted. After Chris has an emotional breakdown, Andy and Tom suggest that he go see a professional therapist and Chris readily accepts the idea.
- To the Pain: April explains in loving detail to Ellis how she intends to punish him for not doing his work.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Ben calls April out for being an unprofessional slacker when she's capable of a lot more.
