Homer's Christmas bonus is canceled and the rainy-day funds are needed to pay for Bart's tattoo removal.

The Simpson kids hide in the family treehouse and tell each other spooky stories. The first regards haunted houses, the second introduces Kang and Kodos for the first time in an alien abduction, and the third is a Simpson-adapted retelling of The Raven.

After a series of destructive acts, Homer decides that Santa's Little Helper must go unless he passes obedience school. As the dog's last hours with the family approach, Bart must find a way to get through to him.

Lisa's essay wins the Simpsons a trip to Washington, D.C., where her faith in democracy is shaken by her unethical Congressman.

Homer accompanies Apu to the Kwik-E-Mart home office--in India--after Apu is fired.

Washed up and plagued by scandal, Troy McClure sees a marriage to Selma as his ticket back to success.

Designated driver Barney absconds to Manhattan in Homer's car and leaves it there. But when the family journeys to the Big Apple to retrieve their property, Homer discovers his car has been booted.

When Homer joins the Naval Reserve, a captain takes a liking to him and leaves him in charge of a nuclear submarine.

After spraining his knee during a basketball game, Homer begins taking care of the neighborhood kids to cure his boredom, prompting jealousy from Bart and Lisa, who feel that Homer is giving the kids the attention they never had.