Mr. Burns and Smithers, traveling via private railroad car, return from a Harvard-Yale football game. The train screeches to a halt when the crew notices a large couch lodged on the track. A man named Larry approaches the train’s passengers and begins hawking souvenirs. When he sees Mr. Burns, his jaw drops in surprise. As the train pulls away, Larry learns from the conductor that the train’s destination is Springfield. Returning from a cider mill trip, Homer spots Larry hitchhiking, and offers the stranger a ride. Larry shows the family a photo of Mr. Burns, whom Homer identifies as his boss. Larry travels to the Burns manor, where he identifies himself as Burns’ son.

After examining the same distinctive spots on Larry’s forehead, Burns concludes he is indeed his offspring. Burns recounts how he and Lily, a 21-year-old girl, had a passionate fling during his 25th Yale reunion. Lily’s pregnancy caused a family scandal, and Larry was sent to a convent. The next day, the outgoing, wisecracking Larry shows up at the power plant and strikes up a friendship with Homer. But later, during a posh society function, Larry’s fun-loving personality embarrasses his father. Afterward, Burns calls Larry a coarse, boorish ignoramus. Hurt by the comments, Larry concludes his father no longer loves him.

Homer convinces Larry that staging his own kidnapping is the only way to make Burns realize how much he loves him. Larry hides out in the Simpsons’ basement as police conduct an investigation into his disappearance. But their scheme is exposed when Marge sees a news broadcast about the kidnapping. Marge demands Homer take Larry back to his father, but before the pair make it to the manor, they are spotted by a news helicopter. A police chase ensues, forcing Homer and Larry to take refuge on a movie theater marquee. Homer attempts to negotiate a reconciliation between father and son, but Burns concludes he simply isn’t capable of providing the love his son needs. Larry says good-bye to his father, then returns to his wife and children.