As Lucky Hank's third episode unfolds, Hank and Lily stumble upon a mammoth porta box, conspicuously positioned outside their garage. The delivery man ensured its delivery to the right address, but the mystery lingered: who was the sender? Hank promptly dialed Marnie, Henry's diligent secretary, to unravel the puzzle. She confessed that she had attempted to alert Hank, but her calls fell on deaf ears.
Inside the box lay Henry's office paraphernalia, his request to have them safely stored at Hank's abode. Henry desired to retain his possessions yet desired a secure haven for them. Hank and Lily were bewildered by his actions, and just then, Henry himself intruded on their conversation, startling Hank to the point of abruptly terminating the call.
Hank was outraged by Henry's brazenness. He vented his frustration to Lily, reminiscing about how Henry abruptly departed, leaving Laurel, his mother, and him to fend for themselves. Hank firmly believed that once a parent abandons their family, they forfeit the right to reenter their lives. It should be an unspoken understanding, he declared. He confided in Laurel, but her concerns seemed to stem from a different source, not the obstruction of their garage by Henry's belongings. Hank couldn't even maneuver his car out of the mess!
At school, a disinterested youth urinated on the lockers in the hallway, prompting Lily to request the janitor's assistance, but he shrugged it off. She approached the principal, who seemed clueless and reluctant to address the issue. Hank, lost in thought, wandered aimlessly outside the campus, trying to comprehend the day's tumultuous events. Jacob Rose approached him, instructing him to compile a list of faculty to be "released." He had received orders from President Dickie Pope to downsize the faculty in a bid to shore up the school's finances. Rose urged Hank to keep the matter confidential, but as soon as he witnessed the anxiety among his department's teachers, Hank revealed the truth.
Meg Quigley, Billie's daughter, implored Hank to pen a recommendation for her. He had been hesitant, wanting Meg to venture beyond the town's confines and soar to greater heights. Moved by her sincerity, he relented. Finny and Emma debated the dismal job market and how the impending cuts could shatter someone's livelihood. Gracie advocated to Jacob that the department only needed one poetry faculty and she should be the chosen one, surpassing Paul. Hank's thoughts were interrupted by Paul, who had a radically different perspective. He urged Hank to refrain from compiling the list and instead meet with Leslie Schonberg, Hank's second-grade teacher and the professors' union representative.
Teddy and June approached Rose to plead their case. Smartly, he steered them towards a new path, enhancing their significance in the school's curriculum. He suggested they become Faculty Advisors to the Excellence Committee. The scene was comical as they tried to appear sufficiently involved to warrant a heavier weight when the decision was made.
Hank was perturbed by Emma's tears, fearing she would be among the laid-off. He sought Lily's perspective, feeling a sense of betrayal towards the teachers, reminiscent of how Henry had abandoned Laurel and him.
As he unlocks the lockers, a flood of letters exchanged between Laurel and Hank comes to light, hundreds upon hundreds. The sight fills him with disbelief, as Laurel had always given off the impression that she, too, had severed ties with Henry. In a fit of anger, he rushes to his car, intent on leaving, but the pain from his kidney stone strikes, rendering him unconscious.
In a dreamlike state, Hank recalls a childhood memory where Henry had asked Laurel to discard "the child." The question gnaws at him: Is Henry truly his biological father?
Paul arrives with Leslie, seeking to discuss the matter at hand. Hank demands that Paul take him to Laurel's abode. Hank's dismissive attitude towards the situation is mocked by Paul, who finds his lack of seriousness troubling.
Meanwhile, Lily single-handedly cleans up the urine-soaked mess, purchasing all the necessary supplies herself. Though proud of her accomplishment, the principal, Jack, refuses to reimburse her, citing her failure to seek prior permission. Enraged, Lily declares her intention to interview for a position at Arlyle, though Jack remains unconvinced.
Russel approaches Meg in search of a job opportunity. He attributes Hank's abandonment issues to his mother, characterizing him as petulant, childish, and indecisive. However, Meg stands firm in her defense of Hank. She is summoned to retire Billie from the college, who, having stolen Hank's whiskey, rants about the impending downsizing.
Hank confronts Laurel, yet she remains steadfast in her defense, even when her actions require no justification. It seems Henry's return to Laurel's side will further strain their already fragile bond, but Laurel insists it was a rupture that would occur regardless. Hank's pleas are ignored as he leaves a message for his father, begging him not to return.
The following morning, a minor spat erupts between Hank and Julie, who interprets his father's advice to move on as a dismissal of her unambitious life goals. Hank lies to Meg about the university no longer hiring adjuncts, shattering her hopes. They drown their sorrows in a night of drinking and revelry, before Hank escorts her home. Upon returning to his room with a glass of water, he finds Meg sitting naked on the bed, eyes fixed eagerly on him.
Hank bids her a goodnight and exits the room. He returns home, confiding in Lily the truth of all that has transpired. She believes him, and the matter is put to rest. However, Lily's impending interview at Arlyle looms large in their conversation, causing both Hank and Lily to share a mutual concern.
