It is Mark Del Figgalo (the boy who wanted to play
Annie in "The Play" episode 1.7). It doesn't take the other girls long
to figure out that Quinn has a crush on him, and they advise her to go
talk to him - which she does.
The girls watch as Quinn goes over to talk with Mark. The
conversation doesn't last very long. When Quinn comes back, they ask
her what she said. Quinn says she asked him for a nose hair so she
could check their genetic compatibility!
Meanwhile, Dustin is reading - and a green tree frog starts hopping
his way. For some reason, he is terribly afraid and runs away
screaming.
Zoey, Chase, and Michael are discussing Quinn's crush on Mark, when
Dustin comes up - still screaming. They find out it was about the frog
that was "attacking." In a flashback, we see that Dustin's fear of animals
comes from an incident years ago when a goldfish bit him! Chase and
Michael need someone to look after Elvis (the dog).
A couple is on a bench outside hooking up. Quinn has been spying on
them, and taping! She needs to study the science of romance! The
couple is not very pleased with her.
Later, Zoey and Nicole are telling Quinn she can't just eavesdrop
like that on people. But Quinn takes out her video camera so she can
tape a couple kissing!
So - Zoey, Nicole, and Dana decide to coach Quinn on what to say and
what not to say to a boy. She can practice on Chase. They give her
a list of things not to talk about like insects and ointments, but
Quinn always manages to goof up - talking about things like spiders
eating their young, elephant urine smelling like licorice, and her
extra toe (Quinn has one, Erin does NOT)! She makes Chase intensely
uncomfortable!
In the boys' dorm room, Michael is trying to coax Dustin out of the
closet. Dustin comes out and Michael gives him a dog biscuit for Elvis
- but Elvis barks and Dustin runs out of the room screaming.
The girls are outside again, and so is Mark - but Quinn is very
mindful of her failure to learn what to say. So - she has Zoey go ask
Mark for her. It is a bit awkward, but Zoey agrees. Mark says no to a
date with Quinn. Politely, but firmly - more than once. Zoey returns
to the girls. Big-hearted Zoey can't bear to tell Quinn the truth, so
she tells Quinn that Mark said yes. Quinn celebrates by cranking the
music on a boom box and dancing! After dancing, she asks Zoey when -
and Zoey says Saturday. Quinn leaves to go "Blog it." After Quinn leaves,
Zoey confesses to the other girls. She couldn't tell Quinn the truth
because it would break her heart. Her plan is to convince Quinn not to
go on the date.
NOTES: They should have had Mark leave after Zoey finished talking
to him - otherwise he would witness Quinn's celebration and be
suspicious of what was going on. Quinn's celebration dance is shown in
the opening titles for the show. Dads - don't ever do Quinn's dance at
a "father / daughter dance" - unless you want to embarrass your
daughter!
Later, Zoey meets Quinn in the girls' lounge. Zoey asks Quinn to
come with her to "Science on Ice" - which is all the great scientists
from the past ice skating. Quinn agrees - but then figures out that it
would conflict with her date. She makes it clear that she wants to go
on the date with Mark!
Dustin enters the boys’ room - alone. He is dressed in a hockey
outfit - to protect himself from Elvis. But - Elvis barks and Dustin
throws the whole box of dog biscuits. By now - Elvis is learning all
he has to do is bark and he gets the whole box – not just one!
Zoey meets Dana and Nicole and tells them that it didn't work. But,
she has another plan. She calls Chase to arrange a double date. After
some confusion about whether it is a "real date," Zoey
explains to Chase what is going on.
Chase sits down by Mark - and invites him to hang out. It is
evident that there is still some tension between the boys – maybe over
the play. Chase doesn't even know his last name - and now he wants to
hang out? But - it is a picnic, and Mark - being heavyset - isn't
about to pass up free food!
Zoey is fixing Quinn's hair before the "date." She gives some
advice that is very appropriate given the situation: don't call it a
date, and Mark may not talk very much!
The boys spread out a picnic on the grass. Things are really tense -
and they argue over white or yellow potato salad! Zoey and Quinn
"just happen" to show up, and Chase invites them to join him. Mark
has busied himself with a large salami - one that is so large it
appears in the rest of the episode! So he doesn't care one way or
another about the girls. But - Quinn immediately starts spoiling
Zoey's well-laid plan. She gives Mark a flower. He keeps getting her
name wrong, calling her "Clint." Chase doesn't help at all by bringing
out sparkling apple juice and flowers for the table. Mark is still not
quite "getting it" and chugs the juice that Quinn pours without sharing
any.
Zoey and Chase see that the picnic is a disaster and quickly suggest
a movie! Abandoning the picnic, they leave - Mark following with the
salami! At the movie, Quinn starts holding his hand - and Mark's
girlfriend Courtney shows up and is furious! She breaks up with
him, grabs the salami, and slugs him with it. Quinn is mad, too - uses
the "date" word, and Chase and Zoey beat a hasty retreat!
Michael comes to Dustin's room - he is holding Elvis. He needs for
Dustin to keep the dog for a few days because their dorm advisor is
suspicious. Michael leaves. We see the door close, hear Elvis
bark - Dustin screams, and leaves the room. Everybody knows – Elvis
has another whole box of dog biscuits!
Zoey, Chase, Nicole, and Dana are discussing the disaster that
afternoon. They know Courtney won't take Mark back - slugging with a
salami is pretty permanent. So they confessed the whole thing to
both Mark and Quinn. But - surprisingly - Mark and Quinn are
getting along VERY well! They are watching "Science on Ice" on
television together, and getting pretty romantic. But - one wonders
if Mark would rather make out with his new girlfriend, or his
beloved salami, which he is still eating! He puts his arm around her,
but still is calling her "Clint."
Closing line: Zoey: "A Toast to the Meatball", from the opening
scene.