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Smithers gazed at the picture, committing the three faces to memory. "Who would have guessed that amnesia would allow you to get to know someone you thought you've known all your life," he whispered to himself. A smile spread across his face. He always knew that underneath his cold callous nature, Mr. Burns had a sense of humanity. He had displayed warm human emotion too many times in the past for this to not be true. Bobo, his willingness to think of others on the request of his late love Lila, were just a few testaments to this fact. But Smithers always suspected that something must have happened. Something that impacted Burns in a profound way, making him seem untouchable by any emotion other than ambition and greed, the death of a dear friend.
"My dad meant a lot to you huh sir?" Smithers spoke softly to the picture. "Maybe I can too. Maybe…"
"Mr. Smithers, why are you talking to that picture?
"Simpson!" He yelled out in shock. "What are you doing in my office?"
"Well I was just going to ask you the same question. Mr. Burns left two hours ago, why aren't you with him?"
"What!" Smithers shouted as he jumped to his feet. He grabbed Homer by the shoulders and shook him. "Where did he go? Why didn't you say anything before?"
"Ahhh!" Homer let out his iconic cry and pushed Smithers away. "Get your hands off of me. I told you I don't play those games."
Smithers rolled his eyes. "Just tell me where Mr. Burns is," he demanded.
"Well I don't know. I just said goodbye to him when he left, but he remembered my name this time!" Homer exclaimed in triumphed.
"Simpson you fool, Mr. Burns has amnesia." He looked out the window hoping to see Burns's limo, indeed it was gone. "He can't be wondering around town, something terrible could happen to him."
"Only if we're lucky." Homer replied.
Smithers shot Homer a cold glare. "This is serious Simpson. He could be anywhere right now!" He tugged at his own hair with both hands. "I need to call the police!"
"So uh…when was the last time you saw the person in question?" Chief Wiggum asked as he rummaged around Burns's office.
"A few hours ago, please Officer Wiggum you have to fine him. He has amnesia!" Smithers begged.
"Amnesia eh? So he's kidnapped someone!"
"What?" Smithers replied in confusion.
Suddenly the door flew open and in walked the thin old man. "Waylon, what is the meaning of this?" He demanded.
"Mr. Burns, where have you been? I've been worried sick."
"Step back Mr. Smithers. He could be dangerous," Chief Wiggum stepped in front of Smithers and drew his gun out, pointing it straight at Burns. "Alright Mr. Burns, start talking. Where is she?"
"Where's who?" Burns asked, a mixture of annoyance and confusion in his voice.
"Don't insult my intelligence. I've dealt with too many of your kind to be fooled. Now where's Amnesia?"
Burns shot Smithers a puzzled look. "For heaven sakes man, put that gun down. You're going to kill someone!" Burns exclaimed.
"Hey, what's going on here?" Lou demanded as he walked in. "Chief, what are you doing? This is Mr. Burns, put your gun down."
"Not until this sicko tells me where Amnesia is."
Burns gave Lou a questioning glance and Lou nodded back at him with a sympathetic expression on his face. Suddenly he raised his gun and smacked Chief Wiggum in the back of the head, sending him crashing to the floor. "Sorry Chief but you know we can't afford another uh…incident." He grabbed the unconscious man's feet and began to drag him towards the door. "Uh, I'm sorry about this. You guys carry on. We'll get out of your hair." With that Lou dragged Chief Wiggum out the door, closing it behind him.
"Waylon, what's the matter with you? I leave for a few hours and you call the police down here?" You know better than I that the last thing we need are cops snooping around down here."
"I'm sorry sir, but I was going out of my mind not knowing where you were. Where were you sir?" He asked in a distressed tone.
"Don't be so dramatic Waylon. I merely went on a drive around town to see if it would jog my memory but alas it was of no use."
Smithers took a deep breath of relief. "Sir you can't be wondering around the town in the state you're in, it's dangerous."
"Nonsense, Waylon. I'm fine. Just because I can't remember a few things doesn't mean that I can't live my life."
"Well no but that's why you've got me sir. If you need to go somewhere let me know, I'll take you."
"No Waylon. I like being self-reliant. It's very… empowering." He smiled confidently. "You carry on with your life and I'll carry on with mine."
"But sir I really don't mind. I've always driven you, cooked, cleaned your house, and helped you bathe."
"Bathe?" Burns interrupted. "Waylon, do I look like a cripple to you?" He paused. "No. Forget what you did before. Do whatever else it is you do with your life."
"But that is what I do." Smithers chimed in. "I actually really enjoy it…helping you that is." He added quickly. Burns looked at him in disbelief.
"Why?"
"Uh…" Smithers looked down at his shoes. "Be…because you're a very important person to me sir and I like working for you and…"
Burns stared at him for a few seconds, deep in thought.
"Waylon stop. I've just realized something about you." Smithers's eyes widened. "W…w…what do you mean sir?" He fidgeted around as if he no longer knew what to do with his hands and feet.
Burns observed him for a second but quickly dismissed it. "I mean that I've known you since you were a mere neonate and yet, I don't know much about you at all. You don't really expect me to believe that this job is your only focus in life?" He studied Smithers's face. "Is there something you're keeping from me?"
"Uh…uh…" He tried his best to keep his body from trembling but was slowly losing the battle against his crippling nerves.
"Come now lad, you can tell me."
Smithers looked at Burns for a moment, pondering the words he had just heard. "Should I tell him? This could be my only chance! What if…" He took a deep breath. "No sir. I just really love my job. I appreciate you keeping me here for so many years." He smiled, desperately trying to conceal his self-disappointment.
"Yes, well you've been very efficient from what I've seen so far." Burns looked at some paperwork on his desk to the relief of Smithers. He felt he would crack any moment under his boss's gaze.
"Very well Waylon. I know how much you love your job but you must understand that some changes will be made."
"Uh…of course sir."
"Excellent. Have a seat." Burns commanded as he sat down himself. "First, you are to limit yourself to your work here at the plant. No more driving me around or doing domestic work at my house. I have staff to take care of that for me now. I'll even hire a chauffeur as long as you promise to never call the police down here again."
Smithers sighed in defeat. "Yes sir."
Burns stood up for a brief second to look around as if expecting someone to barge in at any moment. "Second, I'm about to embark on several lucrative business deals and you're going to assist me. Oh, some might have to be done in less than legal terms, a few bribes here, a few missing people there."
"Nothing we haven't done before sir." Smithers added agreeably.
"Excellent, let's get started shall we?"
For the next month Burns and Smithers were the unstoppable business force they had always been. In fact, they were more successful than they had been in years. Burns it seemed had awakened from a haze that he had been under for years, and negotiated with the ferocity of businessmen more than half his age. Smithers found himself learning all sorts of new tactics for making deals, hiding illegal activity behind well-placed loopholes and, of course, the art of persuading a less than compliant business partner. Smithers thought he knew every trick in the book, but now it seemed that Burns always had an Ace up his sleeve for every situation.
"Keep your eyes and ears open Waylon." Mr. Burns advised. "They all have a weakness; you just have to know where to look."
One day Burns was sifting through some business files when the phone rang. "Ahoy hoy?"
"Mr. Burns?" The sound of a Russian accented voice filled Burns's ear.
"Yes. Who is this?"
"That's none of your concern. All you need to know is that I'm calling on behalf of Dmitri Petrovich."
Burns's eyes widened. "How did you get this number?"
"A Mr. Smithers provided us with it. Just let him know that Mr. Petrovich said yes. You have nuclear deal. You'll receive equipment in a week. That is all."
Before Burns could even think of a reply the line went dead. He searched the caller ID for a number that would prove he didn't just hallucinate the call. It simply read UNKNOWN.
"Waylon!" Burns shouted into the intercom. "Get in here immediately!"
Smithers rushed in with a worried expression on his face. "What is it sir?"
"How do you know Dmitri Petrovich?"
Smithers stared at him in surprise. "Why do you ask sir?"
"One of his goons just called me to inform me that you made a deal with him. Is this true?"
Smithers's eyes lit up. "Wow that fast huh." He smiled at his boss. "Yes sir. He agreed to provide us with some spare equipment he wasn't using at his plant. It will save us a fortune in the replacement of our faulty machinery. Plus he asked me to keep him in mind for future business deals."
Burns stared at his assistant in disbelief. "Waylon, that man never makes deals with anyone, he carries out threats. He owns one of the most prestigious nuclear power plants in the world. How on earth did you get him to agree to all of this?"
Smithers looked out into the distance as he recalled the encounter he had with Petrovich.
Flashback
"And then she told me I was no good and that she would find herself another man!"" Petrovich cried in his thick Russian accent.
"Another round?" Moe whispered as we walked past them.
Smithers nodded with a sympathetic look on his face. "Then what happened Mr. Petrovich?"
"She hurt me real bad, Waylon. I couldn't stand it no longer so I found a way to end situation."
"I see. You filed for divorce."
"No, but next best thing." He shifted his eyes back and forth a bit before looking at Smithers. "I haven't seen her since."
Smithers nodded in understanding.
"You know, no one's listened to me like this in long time. Whatever you want I'll make it happen."
"Anything?" Smithers replied happily.
End of Flashback
Smithers smiled brightly and returned his gaze back to his boss. "You said everyone has a weakness right? I found his."
Burns stared at him for a moment then he laughed triumphantly as he shook Smithers's hand. "Hahaha! You've done it lad! You've become a fine businessman. I'm proud of you."
Smithers's eyes widened. "Do you mean it sir?"
"Yes I do. And now I know you're ready to go to the 2nd Division Nuclear Plant and represent us well."
Burns pulled a portfolio from his desk and handed it to Smithers.
Smithers's smile faded a bit as he took it. "Oh right. How long will I be gone sir?"
"A few weeks, maybe three, depending on how everything goes." Burns said as he scanned a folder on his desk. "I've arranged for someone to meet you at the airport. You'll be staying in a town that's just about an hour from the plant. For some reason they've got it in their heads that having the plant in the town would be too hazardous. Nonsense if you ask me, but what can you do?" He grumbled. "Anyhow, the people are rather friendly and they love diversity so feel free to carry on as you wish. Just remember that your work there comes first."
Smithers gave his boss a confused look.
"Come now Waylon, stop your futile attempt to dissimulate, I know all about your preference for the male gender."
The portfolio suddenly crashed on to the floor. Papers flew everywhere as a pale-faced Smithers scrambled to retrieve them.
"Sss…Sir I…I can explain."
Burns waved his hand dismissively. "No need. Did you really think I wouldn't figure it out? The clothes you wear, the music you listen to, made me suspicious. Of course it was all too clear when I met that man you were trying to pass off as a friend outside the plant one day. He denied everything at first but I have my ways of making people talk. He confirmed everything so don't try to deny it anymore." Burns explained calmly.
"You're not mad sir?" Smithers asked hopefully as he rose from the ground.
"Of course not Waylon. Oh, perhaps there's a time in my life where I wouldn't have taken too kindly to it but that is no longer my opinion on the matter." He patted Smithers on the shoulder "I said I was proud of you and I am. I just wish your father was here to see the man you've become." He offered Smithers a half-smile. "Carry on lad, carry on."
Smithers smiled and gave his boss a brief hug before heading towards the door. He looked back as he reached the door frame. "Thank you sir."
Later on that night Smithers was packing for his trip when he came across dozens of pictures of him with Mr. Burns that he collected and carefully preserved throughout the years. Smithers sighed. Although they worked together, Burns had established a painful distance between them. Sure, Burns almost treated him as an equal now but Smithers couldn't help but long for the days when the older man depended on him. At least there seemed to be hope then, now it was clear he was only a friend. "It may not have been the affection I was looking for but at least I know you accept me for me sir." He put the excess photos into the box and taped it shut. " I can't do it anymore. It's time to move on Waylon," he whispered.
The next morning Smithers rushed to pick up some last minute things at the plant. As he walked past Burns's door he couldn't help but hear him arguing with someone on the phone. You don't' understand…" "I know I shouldn't be doing this but…" Smithers leaned in towards the door.
"As you can see this is a rather urgent situation…" Burns sighed and in a much calmer tone stated, "I wouldn't be asking you this if it wasn't of the utmost importance. In the end I'm sure you'll be most content that you agreed to do this. Think it over, let me know. Just don't take too long to respond. This opportunity will likely not present itself again."
CLING! Smithers heard the antique phone slam and the sound of footsteps approach the door. He tried to run back to his office but he tripped over his luggage. "Ahh!" He screamed as he plummeted to the ground, painfully landing on his suitcase.
"You're still here?" Burns scolded. "Get up you fool. The plane leaves in an hour!"
"Sorry sir, I came back to get some documents and I heard you shouting. Is everything ok?"
"Yes, just some idiot I had to deal with." Burns stated as he waved his hand dismissively. He led Smithers to the plant's exit and gestured towards the doors. "Well, what are you waiting for?"
Smithers remained motionless, his eyes directed towards the ground.
Burns sighed impatiently. "I'll be alright Waylon and you will too, quit your senseless worrying." Smithers smiled at him. That was exactly what he needed to hear.
"See you soon sir." With that he climbed into a taxi.
Burns waved goodbye as the vehicle disappeared into the distance.
"Excellent, that naïve fool doesn't suspect a thing. Burns scanned the scenery one last time before entering the plant. He carried a content smile that quickly faded when he entered his office.
"Mr. Burns, I don't get it."
He turned to face his employee. "What is it Simpson? I don't have all day."
"Why did you want Mr. Smithers to leave so badly and why didn't you want me to tell him I was driving you around to all those places and…" Homer gasped mid sentence and pointed a finger at Burns. "You're going to murder Mr. Smithers. I want no part of this."
Burns chuckled coldly. "You're already up to your neck in it Simpson!"
Homer stared at him, terror filled his eyes.
Burns cleared his throat. "Sorry, old habit." He turned towards the bookcase. "I suppose I can tell you now that everything has fallen into place."
"Your plans of murder?"
"No you buffoon!" Burns turned to face Homer once again. "You see Simpson, that bank you've been taking me to every week was not a bank at all. It was a clinic where I would get regular injections of steroids and other chemicals. Oh it's made my hair grow into a thick mane and given me the strength of ten men but it can't prevent the inevitable for much longer."
"What are you saying Mr. Burns?"
"I'm dying Simpson."
*** Hello everyone. I'm sorry I took so long to get this chapter up. I wanted to wait until Chapter 5 was ready because as you can see this one ends in a pretty big cliffhanger. But I thought I might as well put it up since it's been so long since I uploaded my last chapter. Thank you so much to all of my readers, especially to the ones who have left reviews. I really appreciate it. A shout out to PrincessPeach922, I'm glad you're enjoying the story! :) I promise to have Chapter 5 up as soon as possible! All will be revealed soon!