 Depressed over his
lot in life — especially being blacklisted by the Ferengi
Commerce Authority — Quark goes to his homeworld of Ferenginar
for some comfort from his mother, Ishka. The free-thinking Ishka
is sympathetic, but clearly uneasy over his declaration that he
will be "living" with her for an unspecified period of time.
Quark soon learns the reason behind her uncertainty. When he
enters his old bedroom, he finds Grand Nagus Zek — the Ferengi
leader — hiding in the closet! It turns out that Ishka and Zek
are in love.
Zek demands Quark keep their
affair a secret, and Quark agrees, thrilled that his mother is
now the beloved of the most powerful man on his homeworld. But
when Quark hints that he would like Zek to reinstate his revoked
business license, Zek refuses, reminding Quark that it is up to
the FCA. Quark returns to his room, where Liquidator Brunt, the
FCA agent who revoked his license, confront him.
Brunt offers to give Quark a new business license if he breaks
up Zek and Ishka. Quark agrees, and soon places doubts in Zek's
head about Ishka's motives. The plan works — his mother is left
heartbroken. Quark feigns sympathy, then contacts Brunt, who
keeps his word and gives him the business license.
Zek offers Quark the position of First Clerk. Quark happily
accepts — then discovers the Nagus is not the profit-making whiz
he once was. By day's end, the Ferengi market exchange has
experienced a drastic slide due to the Nagus's failing memory. A
stunned Quark returns home, where Ishka reveals that she had
been helping Zek. Quark realizes that his mother was more than
Zek's lover — she was the power behind the throne. Ishka, in
turn, realizes that Quark turned Zek against her, and may have
destroyed the Ferengi economy in the process.
Quark encounters Brunt, who reveals that the entire plan was a
set-up designed to help him become the new Grand Nagus. Quark is
free to return to Deep Space Nine, but feels too guilty over
what he has inadvertently done. The next day, Quark saves Zek by
supplying him with enough brilliant advice to turn around the
economic situation, but then reveals that the advice actually
came from Ishka. After Quark admits to breaking them up, Zek and
Ishka happily reunite.
See Also: Image Captures |
