The Case: An artist draws a horribly disfigured portrait but thinks he was drawing a masterpiece. His perception has been altered.
The Process: House thinks he’s on drugs (even though the tox screen came up negative) so he scares the guy with the “news” that he has a brain tumor. Since he isn’t scared for his life, he is obviously on drugs but not the kind you would think. He just has been a guinea pig on three separate drug trials. They detox him twice but symptoms still pop up throughout the episode (his face gets swollen, his hormones go out of control, he sees Taub and Thirteen differently, etc.).
The Solution: Taub notices that every other month the artist paints one of the disfigured portraits. House realizes that the artist took antacid before taking the three pills. A hairball-like buildup of food formed in his stomach and absorbed the pills. Eventually, some of them were released, causing the problems.
The P.I.: Cuddy won’t put P.I. Lucas on retainer so House schemes up a plan to get her to change her mind. He has Lucas try to win her trust so he can find out something House can use for future negotiations. Lucas gives Cuddy a picture of House as a cheerleader but Cuddy thinks its a doctored photo (it isn’t though, House joined the cheer leading squad to impress a girl). However, she seems interested in Lucas, which pleases him since he likes her as well.
House also has Lucas look into his team members. He doesn’t find much on Thirteen or Kutner but does find a secret bank account Taub’s wife has. Taub had no idea and eventually brings it up to his wife. She reveals that she has been saving for a car she knew Taub wouldn’t buy for himself. Later, she surprises him with it but Taub tells her they need to talk.
