Lisa tells Bart that water in the Northern hemisphere always drains counter-clockwise. Bart gets his hand stuck in the toilet trying to prove her wrong. He remains unconvinced when Lisa tells him that water in the Southern hemisphere always drains clockwise, so he begins calling countries south of the equator hoping for proof. When Lisa warns him that the ensuing telephone bills will be astronomical, Bart places a collect call to Australia. He asks a local boy to check the direction in which water drains. The phone line remains open for six hours and the little boy’s father receives a phone bill for 900 dollars. Sometime later, Bart receives official notice that he is being indicted for fraud in Australia.

The Simpsons receive a visit from Evan Conover, Undersecretary for Australian Affairs. He explains that a diplomatic rift exists between the United States and Australia, and negotiates for Bart and his family to fly to Australia so an apology can be issued in person. Bart is brought before Parliament, and true to his word, he apologizes for what he did to the country. But the Prime Minister reveals that Bart is not yet off the hook. He detains Bart for a "booting"-a form of corporal punishment in which a large man wearing an iron boot kicks him in the backside.

Outraged that his son would be subjected to such a brutal punishment, Homer pulls the boot off the large man’s foot and uses it to hold Parliament at bay. He and Bart run back to the American Embassy, chased through the streets by an unruly Australian mob. They meet up with Marge and Lisa and make their way to safety. Diplomatic proceedings begin immediately, and it is decided the Prime Minister himself will kick Bart in the rear end-using a regular shoe. In a moment of patriotism, Bart decides to meet his destiny. He walks to the gate of the Embassy and bends over, anticipating his punishment. But as the Prime Minister swings his foot for the kick, Bart steps away and drops his pants, mooning the Prime Minister and the crowd. Angry Australians storm the embassy, and the Simpsons are airlifted to safety by helicopter.