Starlight Stories Rich and Love: Burns Song

Chapter 10: It Didn't Happen One Night

Smithers admired Mr. Burns' slender figure sporting his white and red pinstripe suit in the mirror as he adjusted Burns' tie from behind him, gently compressing his shoulders in a light hug as he shifted his gaze to stare lovingly into his eyes. "You have the most beautiful eyes, Monty."

Squinting his eyes flirtatiously, he said, "Oh, Waylon..." He pulled away from Smithers' grasp and turned to face him.

Smithers pulled him back in for a hug. "You may be the billionaire, but I'm the most fortunate man in the world."

"Spare me your mawkish sentiments and get dressed already. We want to be fashionably late, not unfashionably belated." He put on his ivory panama hat and inspected himself in the mirror.

"Yes, dear," he said, removing his jacket. This time, his phrasing was completely intentional. He finished dressing into his midnight blue tuxedo and adjusted his bow tie in the mirror.

Voice low and serious, Mr. Burns said, "Turn around." Slightly apprehensive, Smithers did as he was told. "Excellent. I daresay you will outshine me."

"No one could surpass your radiance, dear."

He laughed dismissively. "Quit your flattery. Why, with your youthful skin and smart dressing...all eyes will be on you."

"I'm not flattering you. I mean it. You are too brilliant to outshine."

"I want them to notice you. My vice president should look worthy of the title."

"You mean you want to show me off?"

"I mean it's time we reinvented you."

"Into what?"

"From lackey to partner."

"I...I thought you liked my lackeying."

"You are exquisitely talented at it. But I've grown to respect you, and you've proven yourself to be your own man. You're the only person I enjoy seeing defy me."

"Oh, really? Then how come you either fire or threaten to fire me almost every time I do?"

"There would be no reason to respect your stolid resolve if you were secure in the knowledge that your defiance would have no consequences." He thrust his car keys into Smithers' hands. "Now let's depart."

Smithers smiled and followed him to the door. Just after Mr. Burns turned the doorknob and pulled the door ajar, Smithers shut it again, cupped Mr. Burns' neck in his hand, leaned in, and kissed him passionately. He opened the door and stepped over the threshold when Mr. Burns took his hand and gave him a devious grin. Smithers looked back into his eyes with an amatory expression and held his gaze all the way to the car.

They arrived at the Springfield Glen Country Club at 7:15 and Mr. Burns began to make the rounds of his circle of eminent acquaintances, introducing Smithers to people who had seen them together for years.

"A pleasure to see you again, Mr. Jones. I would like you to meet Mr. Smithers, my new executive vice president."

"We've met before. On multiple occasions," said Mr. Jones.

"Ah, but you've only met Smithers the lackey. You've yet to meet Vice President Waylon Smithers."

Smithers smiled warmly yet sharply as he extended his hand to greet him. "Good to see you again, Mr. Jones. How is the business treating you? I hear it's hell to be in publishing these days."

"Some days I feel like we're circling the drain, but then just last week we landed a contract with a major e-reader company." He took a sip of his martini. "But how about your industry? I hear people are more nervous about nuclear than ever."