Parks and Recreation Episode 5.16 Bailout

Rent-A-Swag is up and running, and business is booming! But no thanks to Tom's new sales associate, Mona Lisa, who is none other than Jean-Ralphio's twin sister. Her mannerisms are uncannily similar to Jean-Ralphio's; they really are two peas in a pod. Mona Lisa slacks off on the job, and Tom lets her walk all over him. The gang points out the obvious - he needs to show his authority!

Leslie is shocked to learn that Pawnee Video Dome is closing. This really shouldn't come as a surprise - video stores are going out of business left and right, and the Video Dome doesn't even carry any mainstream films. But Leslie's determined to keep the business afloat and petitions the city council to declare it as a historical landmark. This sends Ron into a tailspin, because there's nothing he hates more than the government meddling in private matters. Ron shows up at the city council meeting to express his feelings, stating that this is nothing more than a thinly veiled government bailout.

Chris voices his concerns about Ann asking him to be a sperm donor to Ben. Though the thought of being a father excites him, he's worried he's not qualified to be a parent. Ben suggests that Chris practices his parenting skills on Tom and help him work out his issues with Mona Lisa. Meanwhile, Ann is completely on edge waiting to hear back from Chris about whether or not he'll be her sperm donor.

April begrudgingly comes to Ann, asking for a favor. She's applying to veterinary school, and she needs a letter of recommendation. Ann is thrilled to finally have the upper hand in her relationship with April; she agrees to write the letter for April, under one condition. April has to be her friend for one whole week and do everything she says. April has no choice but to agree to Ann's terms and takes part in Ann's parade of girly activities, like manicures and boy talk. Later, April senses a strange vibe between Ann and Chris and finally forces the truth out of Ann about the sperm donor debacle. The two share a surprisingly warm moment, and Ann is thrilled to finally have a breakthrough with April.

Chris takes his fatherly advice to Tom, advising him to lay down the law and tell Mona Lisa that he won't be disrespected. Tom takes the advice and stands up to Mona Lisa, threatening to fire her if she doesn't do her job. Tom's assertive behavior has a surprising effect - Mona Lisa thinks it's sexy when he's bossy! She jumps Tom's bones, and they quickly become a very dysfunctional "item."

Leslie's initiative passes and the Pawnee Video Dome receives government funding as a historical landmark. But Leslie is horrified to see the outcome - the store is now a porn shop! The owner took Leslie's advice and gave the people what they wanted, and now business is booming! Pawnee's famous porn star Brandi Maxxx is there to celebrate the opening and encourages the crowd to join her in thanking Leslie for reinvigorating the porn industry in Pawnee. In fact, Brandi is playing Leslie Knope in the porn version of this government bailout!

After learning about Tom and Mona Lisa's relationship, Chris worries that he just made everything worse. But Jerry jumps in with some surprisingly wise words - every parent makes mistakes; it's the small victories that keep you going. Chris tells Ann that he's in - they're having a baby together!