Pride of the Springfielders, Part One

by AJ Douglas

Mr.Burns plan to destroy Springfield divides the town into two factions-those who want to take down Burns by force, and those who want to reason with him. Can the townsfolk settle their differences before it's too late?

1. Opening Scene

(Open to a panoramic shot of the town of Springfield at nighttime, with the massive cooling towers of the Nuclear Power Plant serving as the prime focus. Sweep the camera in slowly to a shot of Mr. Burns on his office balcony, a smile on his face as he stares off into the night, watching the city.)

(Smithers enters the scene carrying a tray of some sort.)

SMITHERS: Enjoying the nighttime view, sir?

(Burns turns to answer him, swiftly snatching a small cup off the tray, which Smithers immediately fills with tea.)

BURNS: Look at them, Smithers. Look at the penniless, idiotic masses of Springfield, catering to my every whim simply to get the light, heat, and comfort I provide for them. They need me, Smithers. They worship me.

SMITHERS: Well, you are quite godlike, sir.

(Burns abruptly hurls the cup of tea past his toady's head, shattering it against the far wall.)

BURNS: But it's not enough, Smithers! I have only a small group of brainlessly loyal followers who bow beneath my power! It's not enough, I tell you! I want MORE!

(He pauses, as though he seeks to give his tirade dramatic effect, and then…)

BURNS: Yes….(another pause)… I want… to control the entire United States power supply. It would simply be a catalyst, of course… something to start my bid for world domination.. but it will be one hell of a start! Let's do it, Smithers!

(Smithers, unbeknownst to Burns, has been standing there with his mouth hanging open, apparently shocked at his boss' rant. Now, though, as Burns yet again turns his attention to him, he automatically regains his composure.)

SMITHERS: But how, sir? This plant alone can't possibly power a whole country. Amadopolis in Shelbyville isn't willing to sell his plant to you, and neither are your other rivals. You can't buy them out.

(Burns smiles, his face twisting into a sneering grin.)

BURNS: Well, then. We'll simply have to add a few…extensions to the current plant, won't we?

( He begins to laugh, a madman's cackle that rises to a crescendo as we cut to black and the title appears: The Simpsons: Pride of the Springfielders.)