Eric wins an Open Mic Night at the Teen Machine and a record company executive, Teddy Edwards, offers him a contract. Edwards decides to change Eric's image and lyrics and turns his client into Thug Dawg Little. Eric does a rap about giving up on school and life that stuns everybody. Eric decides that he doesn't want the contract if it means telling people to give up.

Maria will do anything to help her younger brother Tino find a job at the mall, and gets him work with her at the Teen Machine. But when his irresponsible behavior causes both of them to lose their jobs she has to stop making excuses for his actions. Meanwhile, Screech finds it difficult to hold down two jobs--mall security guard and assistant to Mr. Belding--and is forced to give up one. Also, Ryan and Eric enter a contest to win a jet ski, but realize the only way for them to win is by cheating.