The Lab Brat: Difference between revisions

At [[Lawndale High School]], during science class, [[Janet Barch]] presents a lesson on acquired behavior involving a lab rat, interspersed with comments regarding her hatred of men and descriptions of how sheher had beenhusband left by her husband. Ms. Barch's dislike of males extends to her male students while, on the other hand,but she praises [[Daria Morgendorffer|Daria’s]] imaginative answer to a question. She concludes the lesson by assigning teams of students for a home science project, consisting of training a rat to run through a maze. Daria is paired with [[Kevin Thompson|Kevin]] and [[Brittany Taylor|Brittany]] is paired with [[Charles "Upchuck" Ruttheimer III|Upchuck]].

That evening at the Morgendorffer’s,Morgendorffers [[Helen Morgendorffer|Helen]] asksspeaks herwith daughtersDaria about their day and Daria’sher upcoming project,. commenting thatHelen commentsthat associating with Kevin could help Daria socially and ignoringignores Daria’s comments on Helen's lack of sincerity. Kevin arrives shortly afterwardsafterward and Daria distracts him from the project by turning on the Pigskin Channel, ...while she retires to the garage to work on the project alone.

Meanwhile, Brittany has arrived toat Upchuck’s house under a heavy disguise. She warns him not to get ideas about her presence, but is blackmailed by Charles blackmails Brittany( with a photograph of her and [[Sam Stack|Oakwood High's QBquarterback]] in a compromising position) into doing his personal chores.

At the Morgendorffers, Kevin continues to watch football in the TV and is, oblivious of Quinn's flirting and continuousstrong servitudehints that Kevin should go out with her. Quinn seems intent on her efforts to seduce Kevin, even refusing Brittany's entrance to the Morgendorffers. Kevin eventually goes to the garage (breaking part of the maze Daria had already built) where he and Daria are surprised by Brittany, who quickly deduces Kevin hadnhasn't been working and thustherefore must have been seduced by both Morgendorffer sisters.

The next day, as Daria and Jane are discussing recent events at Pizza King, they are interrupted by Kevin (intending on arranging another visit to work/watch TV), Brittany (who tells Daria to stop seducing Kevin) and [[Three Js|the Three Js]] (who are in awe of Kevin and try to pick Daria up).

Brittany, meanwhile, kidnaps the mouse used by Daria, leaving it in her brother [[Brian Taylor (character)|Brian's]] (lack of) care. and intendingShe onintends exchangingto exchange it for Kevin (who byshe now believes is believed to be dating ''both'' Morgendorffer sisters). The next day at school, Daria is able to trick Brittany into returningexchanging the mouse for Kevin. HoweverUnfortunately, its treatment by Brian has left it traumatized and worthless for the project.

The daystudents thepresent presentationtheir of the science projectvarious comesprojects: Upchuck has built an elaborate maze and trained the mouse, but Barch's refusal to let him speak and Brittany's ignorance of the project (as she had been too busy slaving for Upchuck and spying on Kevin) cause both to fail. As tofor Daria, she makes an insightful presentation on the mouse's fear as negative reinforcement, playing on the teacher's neuroses, and earns a top grade - while Kevin, who had been mute and striking poses during Daria's speech, barely receives a passing grade (which he still considers cause for celebration).

Quinn's long and involved descriptions of, (to the rest of the family,) mundane experiences in her life, causingcauses Helen to practically plead for Daria to talk to her,. has beenQuinn's amindless commonchattering portrayalcharacterizes of the ubiquitousmany dinner scenescenes in Daria fanfic.