A depressed Quark goes home to Ferenginar and discovers his mother Ishka is secretly romancing Grand Nagus Zek.
Stripped of his business licence, Quark retreats to his mother's house on Ferenginar and finds Grand Nagus Zek living there as Ishka's lover. Liquidator Brunt offers to restore Quark's licence if he breaks the couple up, and Quark succeeds, only to discover that the aging Zek's financial genius has been coming from Ishka all along.
With the Ferengi economy sliding and Brunt plotting to replace the disgraced Nagus, Quark feeds Zek advice from Ishka, then admits the truth and reunites them. Back on the station, Rom's wedding to Leeta is threatened by a Ferengi prenuptial contract until Rom gives his money away to charity.