- Leonard, Sheldon, and Howard run into problems when they file for a patent for their infinite persistence gyroscope. Meanwhile, the girls give Raj dating advice when Emily reaches out to him after their breakup.
- Alpha Emily continues to stalk, hunt and control Rajesh, over the objections of the new blonde barista. Meanwhile, Sheldon, Leonard and Howard REALLY need legal counsel to remind them Howard, on loan to NASA by the university, may not be an employee of the university and/or subject of their extortion of their theory for patent.—LA-Lawyer
- On visiting the university's patent lawyer to discuss Howard's idea of using Leonard and Sheldon's super fluid helium model to build a gyroscope, the three learn that not only would the university own seventy-five percent of the patent as Leonard and Sheldon's work is being conducted while they work for the university, but that Howard cannot even be named on the patent since he is a federal employee and no longer a university employee, and despite he being the one who came up with the idea. They figure that twenty-five percent is still better than nothing, with Sheldon coming up with the idea that they can have a contract stipulating that any profits from the work, including their twenty-five percent of the patent, will be split three ways. However, Bernadette makes Howard think twice about entering into a legal agreement with Sheldon drawn up by Sheldon, when Howard has a difficult enough time being friends with Sheldon without a contract. Will this kibosh the work and their friendship? Meanwhile, Emily has left a gift for Raj, something she bought for him before they broke up that she was going to give him for Valentine's Day and decided to anyway. She states it is a "no hard feelings, let's be friends" gift. Raj asks Penny, Amy and Bernadette's advice on what to do, they all well knowing that weak Raj will get back together with Emily regardless of what they say. But a game changer could be a telephone call Raj receives from Claire...—Huggo
- Sheldon, Leonard, and Howard are patiently waiting to talk to the patent attorney to get a patent on their gyroscope idea from "The Positive Negative Reaction." Howard wonders why Sheldon is wearing a bow tie. He wants to make a good impression. The guys are invited in. All their paperwork is in order and the legal team needs to look for other overlapping patents. They start musing about what they are going to do with their royalties and they learn that the university will get 75% of the total proceeds from their idea. On top of that, since Howard is a federal employee on loan from NASA, he'll get nothing. The lawyer tells him that he might get a plaque. Sheldon exclaims that that isn't fair. They should all get plaques. Leonard thanks him for his time and they leave the office without applying. Sheldon still wants to know about the plaque.
The girls are hanging out at Leonard and Penny's apartment talking about Bernadette's pregnancy. She has had a little morning sickness and an increased sense of smell. She found where Howard hid the Girl Scout cookies. Raj shows up with a gift he received from Emily (Laura Spencer) sent to him after Valentine's Day. The girls think that she is trying to manipulate him. He's unsure if he should open it especially if it's something vindictive or dangerous. Penny has Bernadette sniff it and she detects some machine oil. In the box Raj finds an antique sextant used by sailors to navigate by the stars. Bernadette thinks that it is the perfect gift for an astrophysicist. Raj replies that he has too much self-esteem to let her get him back through a guilt trip. Amy quips that she doesn't have to be pregnant to smell that load of crap.
Howard looks at the university's website and finds out that they can't patent it themselves. The university has rights to anything they develop as long as they are employed there. Sheldon is bummed that they get a part of his T-shirt and mug ideas. Leonard offers to at least split their 25% three ways. Sheldon gets very excited about getting to write up their deal in a contract. Leonard once found a stash of contracts under Sheldon's bed and found the whole situation weird.
Examining the sextant, Amy checks the Internet and finds that it may have cost at least $500. Penny is sure that she is trying to get back together with him. Raj admits that he is easy to manipulate. Emily then calls him. The posse tells him to be strong. Emily wonders if he got the gift and if they could still be friends. Then Emily asks him to meet her for coffee. Raj hesitates as the girls do a lot of whispering between themselves. Emily ups the level by saying that she misses hanging out with him and that he lost her best friend. She wants him to come over as the girls shake their heads no. She also is having a really hard time which causes Penny to gag. They say goodbye and the girls tell him that he showed strength. As Raj leaves Penny tells him to say "hi" to Emily. "Will do" he says.
Howard is reviewing Sheldon's contract and is happy with it. The girls come over to Sheldon and Leonard's, because Bernadette is tired and wants to go home. They learn about the contract and how the guys want to split up the royalties. Bernadette wants a lawyer to look it over. Howard is just happy that they found a way not to leave him out. Leonard mentions that everyone did contribute. Bernie tells him to go ahead and sign it if he wants to. The Wolowitzes adjourn to the hallway. Bernadette explains to Howard that he is about to sign a legal partnership with Sheldon Cooper. She doesn't want to spend the rest of her gestation hearing her husband complain how Sheldon is driving him even more crazy than usual. Anything they ever worked on together did not come out well.
Raj is driving to Emily's when he gets a call from Claire. She says that she broke up with her boyfriend. Raj is interested, but admits that he's going to see Emily. Claire then asks if Emily said that she feels like she lost her best friend. Claire states "That is page one of the girl's playbook". Raj wants her to send him a copy of it.
Returning, Howard explains that they are concerned about the partnership, so Sheldon suggests a limited liability corporation. Howard is more concerned with how Sheldon treats him. Penny suggests that they include a clause that Sheldon cannot make fun of Howard. That was fine with Sheldon who will follow the clause to the letter of the law. Amy adds and also because of his obsessive-compulsive disorder. The Wolwoitzes agree. Sheldon gets excited that now he gets to write an addendum.
Emily calls and Raj tells her that it's not the best time to come over. He explains he's being manipulated. Raj calls Emily to say he isn't coming. Emily breaks into tears, so Raj calls Claire to change his plans. She again quotes Emily's line. He calls back Emily who again changes his mind and Claire tells him that she is manipulating him.
The whole gang is reviewing the contract. Sheldon agrees to not mock Howard and his profession, hair cut, clothing or his love of the "Ghost Rider" movie. Also Sheldon donates one quarter of his profits to a college fund for the baby. Sheldon has always valued education over money and he realized how dismissive he had been of Howard's contribution. And he hopes that his efforts will rescue the child from the sub-par profession of being an engineer. Amy yells at Sheldon for his comment; however, Sheldon had not yet signed the contract.
Finally, Claire is telling him that she knows how this is going to play out and to have a good life. Raj insists that they are just going to talk. They end up in bed together with Raj exclaiming, "Good talk."
Title reference: The men being shocked that, to apply for a patent, they must give up most of their profits.
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