Rachel decides to start smoking in order to avoid missing important meetings with her boss. Meanwhile, Ben gets offered an audition for a soup commercial, and Joey auditions to be Ben's father during the ad. Also, Monica and Phoebe plan a surprise birthday party for Rachel together, but Monica takes over.

As Joey's Italian-speaking grandmother visits to watch him on TV, Ross has trouble flirting with the pizza delivery girl, and Rachel tries to find an earring of Monica's that she has misplaced.

While the guys go on a ride-along with Gary, Rachel accidentally deletes a message from Emily on Ross's answering machine.