Author's Note: Alright. Finally, we are in the thick of things.

ACT TWO, SCENE THREE

(Open to a shot of the Plant, as a mob of angry citizens, lead by Moe, approach. A large security unit guards the gate. Moe beckons to the mob with his shotgun.)

MOE: Let's get 'em!

(The mob suddenly rushes as a group… and is abruptly stopped as canisters of tear gas are thrown in their midst. The security enforcers move in, brandishing nightsticks and plexiglass shields. Moe, spluttering from the gas, fires into the air, causing the enforcers to fall back. Barney Gumble lunges at one of them, bowling them over. A massive fight breaks out, a tangle of limbs and weapons within the tear gas cloud.)

(The camera pans up above them to the balcony of Burns' office, where the wraith-like magnate grins, and folds his hands together.)

BURNS: Excellent.They're playing right into my hands. Soon, Springfield will be no more, and I'll have the power I've always desired.

VOICE: Not if we can help it!

(Burns, startled, turns to see Smithers, the Simpsons, and their followers standing before him.)

BURNS: Ah… if it isn't my traitorous former assistant. Do you really think you can stop me?

SMITHERS: Not the way you want us to try, sir. You want us to fight, and give the government a reason to continue with this madness. That's not what we're doing. We're going straight to the president, and showing him all the things you've done over the years. The blocking out of the sun, your fiendish oil scheme: everything you've ever covered up from the government will be revealed. You'll be finished… if you don't agree to our terms.

BURNS: Ah… blackmail, is it? I would have never thought you had the spine for such things, Smithers.

SMITHERS: I grew one. I loved you once, sir. But this… what you're doing… it crosses the line in ways you can't possibly…

(Smithers notices the sudden look on Burns' face, as well as the looks on the faces of the others in the room.)

BURNS: You… loved me….?

(He recovers after a moment's silence, a moment where a sudden change in his expression is almost immediately replaced with his usual scowl.)

BURNS: No matter. Because, as it turns out….you're never leaving this room alive.

(He snaps his fingers, and a group of security enforcers enters. They, unlike the enforcers outside, are armed with 9mm handguns.)

BURNS: Say goodbye, old friend…

(Smithers moves suddenly, reaching into his trenchcoat and drawing a pistol. He fires three times into the group of guards, dropping two. The others rush in, disarming the guards and prompting a struggle.)

(As Burns moves forward, brandishing a pistol of his own, Smithers leaps over the desk, crashing into his old boss, forcing him to the floor. They struggle over the weapon. Outside, the enforcers have forced the mob back, and are entering the plant, nearing Burns' office. The group having dispatched the guards in the office flee. Burns and Smithers continue to struggle until the sounds of approaching footsteps resounds in the hall outside. Smithers pushes Burns off of him, and with a final, sorrowful look, makes his escape through the air vent of the office.)

(Burns looks on after him, perhaps thinking of Smithers' words, as the guards enter the office.)