- Sheldon and Raj test whether they could survive a dark-matter research expedition in a salt mine by simulating the conditions in a steam tunnel. Meanwhile, Leonard and Penny seek advice from Howard and Bernadette when they argue about money.
- As Sheldon's work is still relatively new in dark matter and as Raj hears about some ground breaking work in mines that may have major implications in both theoretical physics in dark matter as well as astrophysics, Raj suggests that he and Sheldon may want to get involved in this work, which would mean spending time in underground mines at twelve hours at a time. The environment would play upon most of Sheldon's darkest fears. But Raj is able to convince him that they should simulate what working in such as environment together would be like before they make a definitive decision. Being alone together may give Sheldon and Raj time to think about more than just being in a dark, hot, humid and enclosed environment with no toilet. Meanwhile, Penny has sold the car that Leonard bought her since the pharmaceutical company has given her a car for work. She wants to give the money from the car sale back to Leonard. This gesture brings up issues primarily around Penny's new financial self-security, and what that means for their history of Penny largely being reliant on him in paying for things. As they argue about money in general, they feel that they should ask for advice from people who should have a better idea of what they are going through. The fact of asking leads to Leonard and Penny coming to some conclusions about their own situation that they were not expecting.—Huggo
- During takeout dinner in apartment 4A, Penny is wearing her new business suit while Howard comments how good she looks while going out on sales calls and flirting with doctors. Penny disagrees that she is flirting to make sales, though she does agree with Amy that it is good that she is showing her cleavage when she leans over. Bernadette asks Sheldon how his work in dark matter is going and he remarks that it is the most exciting time to work in it since HE is now working in it. Raj mentions that the government is funding the dark matter field by sending teams down into a salt mine to conduct experiments. Raj suggests that he and Sheldon apply since they could be on the ground floor of something big. Penny tells Sheldon that he shouldn't go down into a mine since he had a panic attack while going through a car wash.
At dinner, Leonard tries to tell Penny about a new version of an old video game he was playing; however, Penny is thinking about her new job as a sales rep for a pharmaceutical company. She says she has some good news and hands Leonard an envelope full of money. She tells him she was given a company car, so she sold the car Leonard gave her. He agrees that she didn't need two cars, but seems hurt that she sold the first one without telling him. They then spend a while passing the envelope of money back and forth, trying to get the other to accept it.
Raj enters Sheldon's office and asks if he is busy. Sheldon's mind is always multitasking. He is working on a complex problem, composing his Nobel Prize acceptance speech for solving that problem and trying to figure out how mermaids have offspring. Raj says that they just lay eggs on rocks which means that Sheldon's mind can now work on another problem. Raj wonders if their friends were right that the conditions would be too harsh for the two of them down in the mine. It would be hot, humid, live explosions, since it is a working mine, twelve hour shifts underground and the toilet facilities would be a bucket. Sheldon was fine with everything except the last condition. Raj still wants to test themselves under simulated conditions to see if they can do it since it is such a great opportunity. Sheldon wants to try it and goes to his computer to check for hot, dark moist places and finding a bunch of sex video sites.
Leonard comes into Penny's apartment with the money to work something out. Last night Penny felt that it was really weird for Leonard to leave a large envelope of money on her dresser after they had sex. Leonard wants them to put it in a joint savings account to use for their wedding expenses which Penny thinks is a great idea. Leonard realizes that Penny feels great about being financially independent and he is nothing but proud of her. Penny tells Leonard that her making money means that she is not as dependent on Leonard, while he thinks that she has a problem with her control issues. They finally agree not to fight and that the money belongs to both of them.
Raj and Sheldon dressed in mining gear and carrying a bucket arrive with Amy at a basement access door to the university steam pipe tunnels. Amy had stayed in one for three days to pledge a sorority, but they forgot she was down there. The conditions there are more consistent than in the steam bath. In case of an emergency, Amy has to rescue him first and then come back for Raj. Down in the tunnel, Sheldon starts his mine simulation log and quickly finds Raj's stating of the obvious very tedious.
Penny and Leonard are visiting Howard and Bernadette to discuss how they handle finances in their marriage. Howard and Bernadette sometimes fight about money. She makes a lot more than him, though Howard claims to have brought assets into the marriage. Like his incomplete set of Star Trek collectible plates? Howard replies that he just got the last one on eBay without telling Bernadette. Then Howard brings up all the late fees from not paying the credit card bills on time. Bernadette retorts that she would if she wasn't spending all her time cleaning the apartment. Howard grabs his chore chart and shows her all the stars he has though Bernadette berates the quality of his work. Howard runs into the bedroom after she mentions his personal allowance. Penny worries about her and Leonard; however, Leonard grew up in a home where his mother earned more and also emasculated his father in every way. Penny and Leonard decide to work things out before they are married and to use the Wolowitzes as an example of what not to do.
Back in the tunnel, Sheldon is feeling a bit claustrophobic and starts singing a miners song which describes all the bad conditions. Raj switches over to Miley Cyrus, though Sheldon doesn't know who he is. Raj starts to describe her "Hannah Montana" TV show? Amy asks if they need anything since she's going to the vending machine. Sheldon gives her a long list. Sheldon's claustrophobia gets worse as does his need to use the bucket which he refuses to do. He is now in his thirties and starting over with studying dark matter where he used to be at the top of his field. This scares him. When Raj is scared he thinks of Voyager. The space probe mission was already over after he was born, but the probe just keeps going, still sending back data from outside our solar solar system. Sheldon then sees some rats behind Raj and heads up the ladder. Amy is returning as Sheldon yells that everything is falling apart and it's too late for Raj. He lasted 11 minutes. Raj is shouting from inside the tunnel as the rats crawl into his shirt.
Leonard and Penny decide to spread the money all over the bed and make love on it. Penny thinks that that is the most fun someone can have with money, but won't say if it's only the first time she's done it. Bernadette apologizes to Howard after sex and tells him that she wants them to handle their money as equal adult partners. Amy is busy transcribing Sheldon's mine simulation log for future generations who obviously want to hear about his melted Kit Kat bar. Raj comes charging into the apartment to yell at him that Sheldon left him there to fend off a family of rats and calls him a coward for abandoning him in the tunnel.
Title reference: Sheldon and Raj simulating working in a salt mine by crawling into the steam pipe tunnel.
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