- After arguing with his dad about his finances, Doogie decides to go out on his own and rent an apartment. After hearing that a celebrity is staying at the hospital, Vinnie impersonates Doogie to meet her.
- Wanting to get his own car, Doogie is arguing with his dad during dinner, saying his finances should be his to do with as he pleases. Doogie's mom asks what's wrong with the station wagon, and he complains that it's a tub. Doogie's dad tells him to drive the station wagon for a year, and if he remains accident-free, then they'll talk about him getting a car. Doogie says maybe he should petition the court for emancipated minor status, causing both his parents to roll their eyes at him. Doogie asks why he can't have the freedom to live the way he wants, and his parents reply that while he's living in their house, he has to follow their rules. He then says that maybe he should move out. To Doogie's surprise, his mom agrees, saying if he doesn't want them parenting him, he should be on his own. While at first against the idea, Doogie's father also agrees.
The next day, Dr. Canfield briefs the medical staff, saying the hospital will be admitting Charmagne, a rock star, to have a nodule removed from her throat. He tells them not to leak any information about Charmagne's stay, lest the hospital be inundated with her fans. Over lunch in the cafeteria, Doogie asks Jack if he's still looking for a roommate, saying he wants to move out of his parents' house. Doogie says he wants to get a declaration of emancipation, which he can do if he's living on his own, managing his own finances, and his income isn't from criminal activities. Jack and Nurse Curly try to dissuade him, listing examples of the types of expenses he'll have to cover once he's on his own, like taxes, rent, food, a car, insurance, laundry, and spending money for entertainment. Doogie says Jack and Curly are able to manage. Jack replies that he still gets help from his parents, while Curly says that she has two roommates, and when she goes on dates, the guy pays.
Unfazed, Doogie says it's not about the money -- it's about the freedom. He asks Jack if he can move in, but Jack turns him down. Doogie sets up a temporary sleeping area in an unused hospital room, and Vinnie drops in. Vinnie asks where Doogie's new place is, and Doogie says he's looking at a new place that night. Vinnie then asks about Charmagne, saying he saw her limo out back. Doogie says she cut her finger and will be out in about an hour, but Vinnie doesn't buy it. Doogie admits that Charmagne is getting a nodule removed from her throat, but asks Vinnie to keep it secret, otherwise he'll get an earful from Canfield. Vinnie asks Doogie to get the nodule, or at least a memento or souvenir from her. Ignoring Vinnie, Doogie says he needs to get some sleep, pushes Vinnie out the door, and turns off the light.
After Doogie falls asleep, Vinnie sneaks back in, takes Doogie's lab coat, and alters his ID to have Vinnie's photo on it. Masquerading as Doogie, Vinnie visits Charmagne, asking her to give an autograph to a friend of his -- Vinnie Delpino. He has Charmagne take off her blouse and uses a stethoscope to listen to her heart.
Later, Doogie finds a place to stay, paying $25 to spend the night. The building turns out to be somewhat run-down, with the walls so thin that Doogie can hear a couple arguing next door. The argument escalates, and the woman runs out and knocks on Doogie's door. As he lets her in, she asks to use his phone and calls the man's wife. While she's on the phone, the man punches his hand through the wall, and the woman hands him the phone receiver
The next day, Canfield enters Charmagne's room with the team that will be attending her. Seeing Doogie, Charmagne says he's bogus, saying he's not the doctor who saw her the previous night. When she describes him, Doogie realizes that Vinnie impersonated him. Angry, Charmagne says she's leaving and kicks everyone out of the room. In the hallway, Canfield orders Doogie to get Charmagne to change her mind, even if he has to crawl on his knees and bark like a dog.
As Charmagne rushes to pack her things and leave, Doogie enters and tries to apologize, but she won't hear any of it. He says she needs the surgery, but she retorts that there are other hospitals and other doctors that she can see. Doogie then asks Charmagne if she's leaving because she's upset or because she's scared. She admits that she's scared.
Doogie tries to reassure Charmagne, saying he'll make sure he keeps her family informed every step of the way. Scoffing, Charmagne asks what family, saying she left home when she was 15. Doogie says he knows, as he just left home himself. Charmagne asks him why he left, asking if his parents were alcoholics, divorced, or abusive. Doogie says no, saying the whole thing started because of car they wouldn't let him buy. Incredulous, Charmagne asks Doogie if he left home over just a car. Doogie says it was more than that -- he's treated like a kid, which he hates. Charmagne takes Doogie to the mirror in the room, saying he *is* a kid and should enjoy it -- not be in a hurry to grow up.
Doogie says Charmagne left home and survived. She says that she had to leave so that she *could* survive. Although she has bodyguards, money, and fame, she says she doesn't have a family. She asks who will be there for her should something go wrong. Doogie says he'll be there for her -- he'll be her family. Charmagne breaks down and hugs Doogie as Canfield enters, saying the hospital needs to know if Charmagne plans to go ahead with the procedure. Charmagne asks if Doogie will be part of it. Canfield says he doesn't have to be. Charmagne says he'd better be. Canfield agrees, and Charmagne says, "let's rock and roll."
That night, Doogie comes home while his parents are downstairs having coffee, acting like he never moved out. Doogie's parents ask him if he's back for good, and he says yes, adding that a 16-year-old needs his mother and father, and so does a doctor. Doogie's dad reminds him that it's Monday night -- his turn to take out the garbage. Reluctantly, Doogie complies.
Upstairs, in Doogie's bedroom, Vinnie enters, asking Doogie what he's doing there -- he thought he moved out. Doogie jokes that he missed Vinnie so much, he had to return. Vinnie asks about Charmagne, and Doogie says that the operation was a success. Vinnie said his fingers were a few inches from her heart, and Doogie adds that they almost ruined his career. Vinnie apologizes, but Doogie tells him not to worry. He pulls out a vial with what he says contains Charmagne's nodule and hands it to Vinnie. Vinnie examines it, then hands it back. Doogie pulls out the nodule with forceps, saying that someday it could be in the Smithsonian, but decides against it, popping it in his mouth. Vinnie leaves in disgust, calling Doogie a pervert.
After Vinnie leaves, Doogie's dad enters, saying he and his mom missed him and are glad he's back home. Doogie says he's glad to be back home, too. Doogie's dad exits, and Doogie makes his journal entry: "Moved out... moved back in. Met Charmagne. Ate her nodule. Life is full."
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