Chapter 2
The next morning, preparations were underway in the office of Mr. Burns. Homer Simpson, the safety inspector of the plant and two other ubiquitous employees, Lenny and Carl, have agreed to come in early for a substantial compensation. They are busy decorating the office for what appeared to be a party. Mr. Burns gives instructions:
"That's it…yes…right there. Excellent!" he chortles.
"You're sure he doesn't suspect anything?" Lenny asks.
"Oh, no, I'm certain. I've been extra demanding and abusive all week just to make sure he wouldn't catch on," Burns replies.
When all the crepe and streamers are hung, Lenny and Carl unfurl a banner announcing
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. SMITHERS". Homer has already been distracted by the catered goodies lying on a long table for the breakfast buffet.
"SIMPSON!" Burns yells.
Homer whirls around only to be caught with a mouth stuffed to capacity.
"Can't you wait until the party ACTUALLY starts, man?" reprimands the boss.
"Mffftt….pftgghh," mumbles Homer, unable to articulate with a mouthful.
Soon other plant workers arrive. Burns bustles about expectantly awaiting Smithers' appearance. After thirty minutes past Smithers' usual time of arrival, some workers are getting fidgety and begin grumbling…another fifteen minutes and many start drifting away. Burns is also getting a little peeved, so he decides to phone Smithers, but the phone just rings and rings. Burns hangs up.
"Probably on his way right now," he surmises.
But after several more minutes, Smithers still has not turned up. All the guests have left except Lenny, Carl and Homer, who aren't as anxious about returning to their work stations.
"Of all the days he would pick to be late," Burns fumes, drumming his fingers on the desktop. He tries to phone again with no success.
Lenny whispered to Homer, "This turned out to be a real surprise party. The surprise was that the guest of honor didn't even show!"
Back at Smithers' apartment, the phone's initial ringing has awakened Hercules, who rises and walks over to it, staring. He gives a few yips and the phone falls quiet. Satisfied that he has cowed the annoying machine, Herk saunters back to the kitchen and has breakfast on more of the strewn kibble. He is a little curious why his master is still laying on the floor. It's daylight and time to get up and go for their morning walk. He sits by Smithers and whines a few times then tries nudging a shoulder with his nose, but there is no reaction from the unmoving form. After a while the little dog trots to the door and scratches against it, looking expectantly at the knob, like it would open magically for him. Suddenly, the phone rings again and Herk lunges in its direction, yapping furiously. The noise of the dog's barking and the phone ringing have served to rouse Smithers, who turns over slowly, groans and puts his hand to his head. Herkie is overjoyed to see some action and pirouettes around Smithers.
"Well, well, whose little dog are you?" Smithers queries. He tries to sit up, but sighs and puts both hands to his head as the effort has produced an excruciating pain there. He rises slowly and staggers towards the living room, the dog following quizzically behind. Smithers flops on the sofa waiting for the room to stop spinning around. He moans again and passes out.
For Herkie, this won't do. He gives a few sharp barks hoping to rouse his owner into some action.
Meanwhile, back at the plant, Mr. Burns is vexed.
"Well, if he won't come to the party, we'll bring the party to him. I think we should pay a call on Mr. Waylon Smithers," Burns fumes.
The men pull down the decorations and pack some of the food in boxes. They load Burn's limo and start off.
to be continued...