| The Provider | |
|---|---|
| Season No. | 7 |
| Episode No. | 13 |
| Original Airdate | January 7, 2000 |
| Written by | Jeff Menell |
| Directed by | Lynn McCracken |
| Guest starring | Ivory Hunter as Football Player #1, John Knight as Football Player #2, Brandon Molale as Rocco |
Plot
Cory is very excited that he got a job, but he feels dejected when Topanga announces that she also got a job, but much more lucrative. While Cory attempts to sell magazine subscriptions over the phone from his living room, Topanga is an assistant at a fashion magazine. As Cory attempts to work, Topanga arrives home. Cory could not sell a single subscription, but as he gets some aspirin, Topanga picks up the phone and sells eight. Not only that, but Topanga also quickly gets a promotion at work.
A next day, Topanga finds Cory outside the student union, struggling to complete a game of solitaire. She effortlessly makes three moves, revealing an ace, and agitating Cory. He attempts to get away, so as to not get in a fight, but Topanga insists on trying to comfort him, but he only grows more annoyed, though, because he feels like Topanga rubs all of her success in his face. As their accusations get worse and worse, Cory yells that Topanga killed his spirit, and she leaves in tears. He asks Shawn for advice, and Shawn tells him to go home, lock the door, and not leave until the fight is over.
Cory returns home to Topanga, and their fight begins. He apologizes, but Topanga won't let him off the hook, saying that as it's their first fight ever, they should make it mean something. During their argument Cory clams up, explaining that he's afraid to say anything. Topanga says that they need to be completely truthful to one another so they can communicate, so Cory obliges; he begins by saying that in all the time they've known one another, no matter how good Cory does (citing grades, jobs and college acceptance) Topanga has always managed to do better, which he accepts, but what Cory has a hard time with is that she always gloats over her one-upmanship, causing him to think less of himself; this takes Topanga by surprise, who now feels guilty that she hurt him. Cory says he's okay, and they begin to gently talk about how they love one other, and they agree that they're now a team and are no longer in competition with one another. Together, they get on the phone and Cory finally manages to sell a subscription to Aardvark Magazine because the customer caved to his persistence.
Without his lucky penny, Eric is struck by lightning
Meanwhile, Eric is overjoyed when he finds a lucky penny. He wears it around his neck, thinking it makes him invulnerable and all-knowing. He confronts a football player, Rocco, who is enormous, and calls him gay. Of course, Rocco chooses that moment to reveal that he actually is gay, as are his teammates. When he sees Cory is peril, he decides to give his penny to Cory. As soon as Cory leaves, he's struck by lightning (indoors, no less). He shows up at Cory and Topanga's after they've made up and asks for the penny back, which Cory gives to him.