As Bart and Lisa watch an Itchy and Scratchy cartoon, Homer points out that it’s Valentine’s Day, and suggests they stay downstairs with the sound turned up. Later, Homer and Marge warm things up with some champagne, but Marge gets so groggy, she falls asleep. With nothing else to do, Homer decides to go for a walk. He’s intrigued by a college course at Springfield University called “Strip For Your Wife,” which is taught by Dr. Hibbert. But when Homer uses all the body oil on himself, Hibbert sends him away. As Homer walks down a hallway, he slips, and his oily body lands in another classroom, where Stark Richdale is teaching a course on the secret of true success. He hands out a book to each of the students, which is titled, Megatronics:The Forty-Eight Tips for Corporate Success. Soon after, Homer finds himself absorbed in the text, and uses it to change the way he lives. Embracing the lifestyle and attitude of a go-getter, Homer begins gathering information and reports other workers’ mistakes to Mr. Burns. But Burns rewards his efforts by opening a trap door and forcing Homer to step into the hole, which is filled with electric eels. Saddened, Homer heads for Moe’s bar, where he drowns his sorrows in beer. Moe suggests that Homer exact revenge.

Later, Homer makes his way to Burns’ office, intending to leave behind a fake jar of peanut brittle containing spring-loaded snakes. Instead, he overhears Smithers and Burns discussing how the government has discovered that the plant has been dumping nuclear waste. Burns assures Smithers he’d never go to jail, as the legal owner of the plant is actually a canary. Homer realizes that if he gets rid of the bird, Burns will be at his mercy. With some help from Bart, Homer sneaks into burn’s office and sets the canary free. Shortly thereafter, Homer tells Burns that the nuclear regulatory commission is launching a surprise inspection. Fearing he’ll go to jail, Burns realizes he needs a patsy. He assigns Homer the titular head of the power plant. But the first thing Homer does when he comes to power is fire Mr. Burns. Homer then tosses Burns off the office balcony into a crowd below. Homer tells the workers at the plant that they are all equals. Later, Lisa inspects the books…and realizes the plant is awash in red ink. She urges Homer to cut costs. But Homer refuses to fire anyone. And he becomes so caught up in his work that his relationship to his family begins to suffer, especially when he’s unable to attend one of Bart’s baseball games.

Meanwhile, Burns and Smithers vacation in Morocco, where Smithers takes an interest in purchasing some drugs. Burns returns to the plant sans Smithers, who was picked up in an opium bust. Burns and Homer make their way to a cemetery, where Burns suddenly pulls out a dart gun and shoots Homer. Homer falls into a mausoleum, which Burns intends to seal shut with a brick wall. But the old man is unable to complete the wall by the time Homer wakes up. When Homer returns to the plant, a nuclear inspector announces that he’s obtained a warrant for Homer’s arrest. But Homer realizes the canary has flown back to the plant, making the bird the true owner. Homer then makes his way to the baseball field, where he plays with Bart.