S01 · E05

The Meat of the Matter

Alden, who's working in a meat packing plant to raise money for his band, encourages Sharon to apply for a job in the office. She reluctantly accepts the job, but winds up becoming a vegetarian and quitting when her braces begin picking up sounds from the slaughter house next door. She tries to encourage Alden to quit also, and becomes somewhat disillusioned with him when he won't. But her resentment doesn't last long when it's announced that there's a fundraiser barbeque for Alden's band. Sharon wants to go, but is reminded by her nemesis, Nina, that it would be against her principles, since they're serving meat. Sharon decides to go to the barbeque to offer a meat-free alternative, but winds up in an altercation with Nina which results in Alden's guitar getting smashed. Sharon feels awful, but all is well when she discovers Alden carries no resentment over the loss of his guitar. It turns out that he's gotten a raise, so he can afford to buy a new guitar.