A test pattern on a TV screen is shown. Phillip narrates that when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, and the Soviet Union soon after, the world was up for grabs. A young Zhang saw the possibilities and formed an investment group called the Deus Group. Images appear on the TV of different world leaders: Castro, Putin, Assad, Obama, and others, often with Minister Zhang. The Deus Group made a lot of money on oil from the Gulf War, and Zhang sought to grow more power. The rise of the Internet connected the world, using America as a prime test subject. People put all their information online. The Whiterose began construction of her billion dollar machine underneath Washington Township. Phillip eventually realized that they were all working for her.
The day after Elliot's near death experience, December 23, Phillip is looking over Elliot's conspiracy board in the abandoned Allsafe office. He explains that he had been tasked with killing Elliot. Mr. Robot narrates the crazy situation—that their longtime enemy saved them, but at what cost. Elliot ignores a call from Darlene. Phillip says that the heist won't work, as the Deus Group is impenetrable. Elliot believes that Phillip can use E Corp to get them in. Phillip says his liaison at Cyprus National Bank was Susan Jacobs, but she disappeared months ago. Elliot challenges Phillip to stop the ones who killed his daughter, Angela. Elliot reveals that he looked into Phillip. He asks him how he justifies all he's done and if he realizes what the Whiterose is doing is wrong. Phillip reiterates that the heist is impossible. Elliot says they have only eight days until the project is delivered. If Phillip doesn't fight back, he might as well be dead. Phillip replies that both of them became dead men walking as soon as they decided to work with the Whiterose. After Phillip leaves, Elliot tells Mr. Robot that Phillip will be back. They have to find Susan Jacobs. Darlene calls, telling him that their mother, Magda, is dead.
At the nursing home, a nurse gives her condolences to Elliot and Darlene. They coldly tell her that they simply want to donate their mother's belongings. The nurse leaves them to pack up. Darlene apologies for her attitude the previous day. Elliot says that they're cool, as he starts putting their mother's things in a box. Darlene puts on one of her mother's coats and smokes by the window. She asks if Elliot feels any relief as she claims to be happy. Elliot finds his old Walkman in a drawer. Darlene puts it in her bag. She looks through a jewelry box and finds a receipt for a Bank of E safety deposit box.
At the FBI, Dominique is in an interview with Agent Horton. He asks about Ernesto Santiago and how Dominique knew him, how she would describe him as a boss. Horton asks about Santiago's disappearance on October 23. He reminds Dominique that erasing security footage is suspicious. Dominique asks for water. She slowly works up to tell Horton that she believes Santiago was a double agent. After more prodding, she says she is fearful of repercussions, and ties him to a drug cartel.
At her taxidermy store, Janice is working on a deer while listening to a Charles Manson story. She receives a call from Dominique in her ASAC office. The cover story was delivered. Janice writes down the name of Agent Horton and asks how sure she is that Horton believes her story. Dominique says 99.9%. A woman enters the store and Janice gives a cheery goodbye to Dominique. The woman puts her dead dog, Bernice, on the counter and declares she wants to be with her forever.
At a funeral home, Mr. Robot reads a pamphlet and muses about the cost of living and dying. Elliot is focused on finding Susan Jacobs while they wait for the death certificate. Mr. Robot questions if Elliot is bottling his emotions and that he should take a moment or else the death of his mother will eat away at him. Elliot is more concerned about the Whiterose killing them all and walks away.
Darlene looks through a choice of coffins. She tells the funeral director that she didn't know the last time she spoke with her mother, let alone her last wishes. Elliot walks in to say they want her cremated in a cardboard casket and put in the cheapest urn.
While waiting for the subway, Darlene wonders about the contents of the safe deposit box. Elliot is reading about Susan Jacobs and the possible fsociety connection to her disappearance. Darlene says there may be secrets in the box. She takes his phone, as he is ignoring her, but he quickly snatches it back. Darlene insists that if they really are on good terms, he will come with her to the bank. She reminds him that when they were kids and he would have an episode, he could squeeze her hand to remind him that everything was real. Now she needs his help. If there's nothing in the box, it will be a short trip. As he gets up to catch a train, a man in a snowman costume who had been sitting next to them says his condolences.
In an FBI interrogation room, Dominique and agent Hartman question an Irish mobster named Deegan Maguire, accused of helping other criminals disappear. Dominique receives a text from Janice, giving her condolences for her coworker. Agent Kaz enters, telling Dominique she needs to see something. On the news, a man committed suicide by jumping from a building. Kaz reveals that it was Agent Horton. Janice sends another text, that her 99.9% should've been 100%.
At Bank of E, an employee tells the Aldersons that the box was discarded two years after payments stopped. He leaves when Darlene yells at him for throwing it out. Elliot wants to go and pick up the ashes. Darlene sits down, sad. Elliot asks what's going on. Darlene says that he doesn't give a shit, not about their mom, but about Angela. She really is gone. Darlene wonders how Elliot can just move on, but he says he hasn't. He takes out the Walkman and inside is a cassette tilted "Happy Mother's Day." Darlene wonders how their mom had possession of it, as it wasn't for her. Elliot presumes that she wished it were for her. She was lonely. Darlene listens to it and smiles. Elliot joins her. It is them and Angela as kids, wishing Emily Moss a happy Mother's Day.
In an elegant room, Zhang is putting up ornaments on a large Christmas tree. Phillip enters and says, "You're unbalanced," referring to the tree. He reveals that he is resigning as CEO of E Corp at the end of the year. Zhang tells him that is unacceptable and questions Phillip's loyalty. Phillip says that he is leaving with what little he has left. The Deus Group must meet in person to approve his successor, a task Zhang knows is absurd to make happen in a week. As Phillip leaves, Zhang yells that this isn't how their game is played. Phillip says that Zhang has won. After Phillip leaves, an enraged Zhang topples the Christmas tree.
At the funeral home, Elliot receives a call from Phillip. He has played his hand and now they wait. Elliot thanks him, but Phillip isn't doing it for him. Darlene enters with the urn. She reveals that she saw Elliot's phone earlier and asks why he is hacking Susan Jacobs. She says she knew her and that the last Ecoin transaction to the animal shelter was from her, not Susan. Darlene recounts how fsociety needed a new location and that Susan returned early. Elliot is angry. He then tells her that he knows what Susan Jacobs did for the Washington Township lawsuit. He needs everything Darlene has on her, as Susan worked with the Dark Army. Darlene is shocked to hear that Elliot is going after the Whiterose, saying that it's suicide. She discerns that Elliot is trying to protect her, even at the inevitable cost of his own life. Darlene wants to join him. She links their phones to share their locations.
Darlene says that she thought he was focused on Fernando Vera. Elliot is confused as to why she brought up his name. Darlene recounts that Vera freaked her out in October, but when she told Elliot then, he brushed it off. Elliot looks over to Mr. Robot sitting sitting nearby, who returns a glance. Darlene leaves to get her info on Susan Jacobs. Mr. Robot doesn't know what Darlene is talking about, but Elliot yells at him about needing to trust each other. Mr. Robot gets in close and insists that he truly doesn't know what she was talking about. Elliot wonders who Darlene was talking to about Vera, if it was neither of them.
At a meeting room overlooking the New York skyline, the same room Tyrell offered Elliot a job in after the arrest of Terry Colby (“eps1.1_ones-and-zer0es.mpeg”), a boy is spinning in a chair. He's Elliot. A younger version of Elliot's mom, Magda, enters, saying she's been looking all over for him. She tells him to get out of the chair. He's not ready. They have to wait. The boy asks for who, "Mr. Robot?" "No." "Elliot?" Magda says no, it's the other one. They both leave.