Author's Note: Sorry about the relative shortness of the first act. It was simply an introduction to the tale to come; after this the Simpsons become supporting players, although their story plays a big part in the upcoming conflict with Burns. As they search for people to aid them in their peaceful crusade against Burns' plot, we'll turn for a while to the other side of things, as the riot reaches it's end and Smithers calls his newly formed group to come up with a plan against his boss, and as a man named Seymour Skinner sits in his office, pondering the future……

ACT TWO, SCENE ONE

(We cut from the end of Act One to the center of town, beneath the statue of Jebediah Springfield, where the remainder of the rioters are standing around Waylon Smithers. Many are injured, but still angry and ready to fight for the town they love. As for the others, they are walking off home, as usual after most of the many riots in Springfield's history. There are not many people walking back to their homes.)

(Smithers calls the others to attention.)

SMITHERS: Friends! Neighbors! Violent Teamsters! (At this, several people in the crowd roar approval; one even shouts, "That's freakin' right, ya bum!") Lend me your ears! As the personal assistant of Mr. Burns for many years, I know that once he has something set in his mind, he won't give it up unless someone fights back! And that will be us! (Cheers from the crowd.) I've come to realize that no matter how much I may l…. care for Mr. Burns, he has gone too far this time!

MOE (Somewhere in the crowd): Damn right! This is a billion times worse than anyt'ing he's ever done! He needs to be taught a lesson!

(Shouts of approval. As always, Springfielders act on group mentality.)

SMITHERS: Now, people! We need to devise a plan. We can't simply traipse up to the power plant, wielding torches and pitchforks….

(A few in the crowd hurriedly hide torches and pitchforks behind their backs.)

We must do this carefully, or all will be lost! To City Hall!

(The crowd cheers again and follow Smithers back to City Hall.)

(We cut to an exterior of the Elementary School, where a familiar figure peers out of a first-story window. As the camera moves in, it's revealed to be Skinner, whose face is a mask of despair.)

SKINNER: What happened to this town?

(He stares out at the carnage the riot has left behind. Windows broken, fires alight in buildings and on sidewalks, cars smashed and overturned, simple random destruction as far as the eye can see.)

SKINNER: This town I love…this town, that accepted me even in the face of a lie, even in the face of deception…. Why is it falling apart? Why, after twenty-six years living here, does it all suddenly unravel?

(Edna Krabappel, his on-again, off-again girlfriend, sits in the office with him, looking worried and sad… but not for the town, although that's there, as well. This feeling she leaves bared is all for Skinner.)

EDNA: (soothingly) Don't worry, Seymour. This town has a way of fixing itself at the worst times. Things will get better, you'll see.

(This seems to have no effect on Skinner, however, as he continues to stare out the window, so racked with grief he won't even afford his girl a glance.)

SKINNER: It's all coming apart… what can I do? What can I do to save the town I love?

(Edna stands, walks over to Skinner, and puts her arms around him.)

EDNA: Relax and sit. We have to think things through-and you have to rest- before we can do anything.

(Skinner turns, giving her a small smile.)

SKINNER: You're right. I can't do anything in the condition I'm in.

(He looks somewhat confused, then collapses in Edna's arms. Frightened she sees the cause- during the riot, as they made their escape, someone grazed Skinner's side with something sharp.)

EDNA: Oh, God, no!

(She lifts him and begins to carry him out of the office, and down the hall to the entrance of the school, where Skinner's sedan is waiting.)

EDNA: Hold on, Seymour. Hold on, honey. We'll get you help.

(She finishes the hike to the car, sets him down gently, and throws open the door

(A few moments later, after gently maneuvering Skinner into the back seat, and getting in the car herself, the sedan roars off into the night, off toward, hopefully, help.

Another Author's Note: Another somewhat short scene, and not nearly enough detail…sadly, I didn't have a lot of time to rewrite this scene, even after the second draft was finished. It never got rewritten in the final draft, so the riot scene is still missing. That means that the readers will miss details into the story, such as how the Simpsons get a group to help (which, when originally written –and subsequently cut out, for unknown reasons- was quite funny) and how Skinner gets that wound. Not to worry, though. Along with my upcoming Star Wars project, I've written a short story detailing the riot, which I will put up as soon as I've done proofreading and correcting. Anyway, enjoy the story… more up soon!