Anspaugh informs Greene he'll consider him for full tenure in three years if Greene doesn't pursue the NASA offer. Greene attends a speech by an astronaut and later realizes he wants to stay at County General.

Ross jeopardizes a liquid pain medicine study by surreptitiously giving some of the drug to Joi's son, Ricky. Greene discovers the secret and informs Weaver. They decide not to tell Anspaugh because, by violating protocol on a federally funded trial, the hospital would be unable to obtain research money and Medicare payments for years. Ross is upset that Hathaway believes he made a mistake. But Hathaway helps an end-stage cancer patient who needs to smoke marijuana in order to get relief from his pain. Hathaway also clashes with Evans, who obtained a grant for a seminar at the clinic without consulting her.

Lucy begins her surgical rotation under Benton and Corday. Romano offers to get Corday's fellowship reinstated and asks her to assist him in surgery. Weaver interrogates Corday, asking if Romano ever sexually harassed her. Corday denies it and concludes that Doyle must have filed charges. Doyle explains to her that it's a matter of self-respect. Later, Corday admits to Weaver she might be of some assistance in the investigation.

Greene makes sure Pickman (recurring guest star EMILY WAGNER) isn't reprimanded for a mistake she made while working under a new paramedic policy. A man who claims to be 140-years-old and "conjured" insists on having Benton perform surgery on him. A 12-year-old girl cut off the tip of her finger and needs plastic surgery. Jeanie chides plastic surgeon Graham Baker (recurring guest star CARL LUMBLY - "Buffalo Soldiers") for rushing his consultation with the girl. She later accepts a date with him. Benton and Lucy share dinner with Carter at Weaver's house.