While digging a grave for a dead gerbil in the school basement, Groundskeeper Willie accidentally strikes oil. The ensuing geyser leads the townspeople to believe the town is now rich. Mr. Burns decides that he wants to buy the oil well to protect his interests, but Pricipal Skinner rejects his offer.

Burns takes matters into his own hands. He erects his own derrick, which drills into the school's oil source. When Burns's well strikes the school's oil, a burst of crude destroys Bart's treehouse, injures his dog, and cheats the school out of millions of dollars it could have made. The townspeople vow revenge against Burns.

Burns retalliates with his own diabolical scheme: to block out energy from the sun. the entire town is outraged, even Smithers, whom Burns fires for insubordination. Surprising the townspeople, Burns appears at the Town Hall meeting and enacts his plan, pushing a button on a remote-control device that effectively blocks out the sun's rays. As he walks happily away, he is shot in the chest by a mystery assailant.