Townspeople turn out in large numbers to watch live drag strip racing. During the event, Smithers leaves Mr. Burns unattended for a few moments to run a brief errand. When Smithers returns, he finds Burns in a state of complete terror, certain that a drunken reveler was out to kill him. Guilt-ridden over failing his boss, Smithers decides it is time to take a vacation. He chooses Homer—the only person he can think of who won’t outshine him—as his temporary replacement.

Homer soon discovers that the job is a living hell. Burns, completely dependent upon Smithers for even the smallest necessity, expects Homer to perform his bidding night and day. Smithers telephones from a tropical night club to check in at the office. Within earshot of Homer, Burns remarks that his new assistant is an incompetent moron. Homer’s fury builds to the breaking point, and he punches Burns in the face. Terrified that he’ll receive another beating, Burns sends Homer away. Without anyone to do his bidding, Burns makes a valiant effort to take care of himself. He makes his own coffee, drives his own limo, and even answers his telephone calls. In fact, he becomes completely independent. When Smithers returns from his vacation, he is promptly fired.

Homer feels terrible for inadvertently getting Smithers fired. In the meantime, Smithers takes a variety of small, menial jobs in order to earn money. Realizing how far Smithers has fallen, Homer offers to help him get his old job back. They plot to unravel Burns’ independence by having his short-tempered, demanding mother phone him. But Homer bungles the scheme when he accidentally disconnects Mrs. Burns. Monty confronts the men and chastises them both for their underhanded plot. A fight breaks out between Homer and Smithers, and during the scuffle, Mr. Burns falls out a window and plummets three stories to the ground. Confined to a hospital bed, Burns once again becomes dependent upon Smithers to perform his every need.