Say, is there a show going on? Let's get back to the action. McNulty is slumped on the couch of his still Beadie-free home when his cell phone rings. It's Christeson, the rookie, calling to thank him for the under-the-table resources McNulty kicked his way: they helped Christeson put his case down. Indeed, there's a handcuffed gent in the background who looks decidedly unthankful about McNulty's intervention. Anyhow, McNulty tells Christeson that he's welcome, and hangs up. That thanks will be of great comfort the next time Barlow comes up and demands first class airfare to St. Moritz so that he can get in a little skiing before the springtime.

The Mayor returns home to stately Carcetti manor, where the missus greets him at the door with proclamations about how wonderful he was on TV. Speaking of which, Carcetti makes a beeline for his set to see if he can catch a glimpse of himself on CNN. What, no "and how was your day, honey" for your wife? No -- apparently this is the part of the day where Carcetti gets to talk about himself and his travails, vis-à-vis the gubernatorial campaign and all the people shaking him down for endorsements and favors and whatnot. Specifically, Congressman Upshaw wants half of any extra school or anti-crime money earmarked for Baltimore to find its way to Prince George's County, once Carcetti is governor. Mrs. C is shocked that Carcetti would even consider such a deal. "But if I don't win, Jen," he explains, "I bring back exactly nothing." Anyhow, enough talking: Carcetti would like to watch himself on TV. No word on whether Mrs. Carcetti leaves the room before or after Carcetti starts masturbating furiously to his own image.

Beadie's back from the Academy Awards wherever the heck it was she and the kids were hiding out. She tells the kids to head straight to bed, and, after a desultory "Hey, McNulty," that's what they exactly what they do, leaving Mom and Weekday Dad to hash out their troubles. McNulty asks where they went; Beadie suggests that it's none of his business. "And next time, I'm not going anywhere," she adds. "Next time, you're going to be out on your ass, because that's my fucking house." And with that, Beadie heads inside, leaving McNulty to think about how things went so horribly wrong. They can probably the gears grinding three counties away.