Gretchen needs a new bike. She's also the only kid doing her homework on time and well. The kids bribe her to do their work.
Tropes for this episode include:
- Asleep in Class: Gretchen falls asleep in class after she stays up late doing homework. When Ms. Grotke woke her up, Gretchen asked what she was doing in her bedroom until she remembers she's at school.
- Cheaters Never Prosper: On seeing how well the students are doing, Ms. Grotke "surprises" them with a quiz, something that Gretchen can't fake for them. Gretchen feels guilty and decides to tutor everyone in time for the test.
- A Dog Ate My Homework: Spinelli and TJ try this excuse. Vince says his brother ate it. Ms. Grotke snarks on it.
- Later, Gretchen says her computer ate it, which worries Grotke.
- Lampshade Hanging: Gretchen's mom thought of having a talk with Ms. Grotke about the excessive homework. Later, Grotke thought of talking with Gretchen's mom about her sudden slacking off. Gretchen complains why grown-ups have to talk to each other.
- Nice Guy: Mr. Kelso. He tells Gretchen the right thing to do is to not spend the money she earned dishonestly and give it back. His wife complains that they'll go out of business if he keeps being nice.
- Pet the Dog: Both Lawson and Randall pitch in to buy Gretchen a new bike. Randall is even the first kid to tell Gretchen to ride her new bike, and jokingly says he'll tell on her if she doesn't.
- Politically Motivated Teacher: She had Gretchen write a report on how the founding fathers created a gender bias society.
- Sweet and Sour Grapes: Gretchen gives back the money to all her "clients" and tutors them honestly for a pop quiz. This allows her to catch back up on schoolwork, albeit still with an old bike. Then the kids pitch in to buy the bike that she wants.
- What You Are in the Dark: Gretchen is about to buy the new bike with the money she earned. Kelso notices her guilty expression and asks her what's on her mind. She explains the circumstances despite not needing to, and how her friends are going to fail because of her "tutoring". He convinces her to give back the money and do the right thing.
- This also counts for Kelso, who gave Gretchen the advice to tutor her friends instead of using the homework money to buy a bike, despite that it might hurt his business to turn away a customer.
