Trent calls Daria (resulting in a hilarious phone discussion with all of the Morgendorffers), to ask, much to Daria’s disappointment, for help picking out Jane’s birthday present. He wants to get something different for her, as he always ends up getting her art supplies. So, Trent and Daria go down Dega Street to try to find something, and they somehow end up in Axl’s Piercing Parlor, where there’s a “two for the price of one” special going on. Trent wants to pierce his eyebrow and get the special, so he convinces Daria to pierce her navel.

Meanwhile, Quinn has convinced Helen to be in a mother-daughter fashion show. Quinn, having determined that they must win submits Helen to the various forms of beauty-torture. (Quinn – “I have a high pain tolerance for hair-care treatments.”)

That night, Quinn discovers Daria’s piercing and is about to tell their parents, but Daria convinces her not to upset them the night before the fashion show. Daria goes to bed, but her navel ring itches so much that she takes it out.

In the morning, much to her horror, Daria discovers that her piercing has closed up, and, in a panic, goes to Jane’s house and tells her. Trent overhears and tells her that it’s no big deal, and that it happens to everyone, plus “when you’re older, I’ll get you a tattoo – they last forever.”

Helen, Jake, and Quinn go to the fashion show, and Daria goes to one of Mystik Spiral’s gigs. For Jane's birthday present from Trent, Mystik Spiral sings a song just for her (probably their worst song ever), and Daria gets her art supplies.

At the fashion show, Quinn and Helen are totally humiliated when they trip and fall down in the middle of the runway. To make herself feel better, Quinn tells on Daria for getting pierced, and Helen and Jake demand to see Daria’s navel. Daria shows them her piercing-free navel, and gets off clean, while Quinn gets in trouble for lying.