Roz needs a few days off, so Frasier hires a temporary call screener named Mary from a local career retraining center. At first, Mary barely speaks. But when she disagrees with the advice Frasier gives a caller, Mary’s shoot-from-the-lip style and sassy attitude make Frasier look hopelessly stodgy.

Back at home, Frasier and Martin watch Niles demonstrate a variety of kickboxing moves—one of which sprains Daphne’s wrist. When Niles asks Frasier why he’s letting Mary take over his show, Frasier denies there’s a problem. Martin disagrees, accusing Frasier of not speaking up because Mary is African-American. The next day, Kenny, the station manager, decides to make “Dr. Mary” and Frasier a permanent team, and reassigns Roz to Gil’s radio show .

Niles encourages Frasier to talk with Mary about her unprofessional advice, but that becomes a moot point when Kenny makes Mary Frasier’s on-air partner. Recognizing that Roz is just as miserable as he is, Frasier finally comes clean with Mary. He admits he doesn’t respect her advice and has stayed silent only because he didn’t want to appear bigoted. To his relief, Mary announces she’s leaving KACL to do her own show on a competing station.