The City of New York Vs. Homer Simpson - Plot

Plot

At Moe's Tavern, Moe informs Homer and his friends that one of them must be a designated driver (because they are responsible for the majority of accidents in the city), and Barney loses the choosing draw. While Barney drives the drunken men home in Homer's car, Homer allows him to use it to drive himself home, expecting Barney to return it the following morning. In his distressed state, Barney disappears with the car. Two months later, Barney returns to Moe's Tavern, unable to recall where he left the car. Homer later receives a letter from New York City, which informs him that his car has been found parked in the center of the World Trade Center plaza. Homer reveals to the family that he had once been to New York before when he was 17 years old and had a horrible experience. Marge and the children persuade Homer to go retrieve the car and he reluctantly agrees.

When the family arrives in Manhattan they decide to split up in order to allow Homer to retrieve the car, while they tour the city. Upon arrival at his car, he discovers it has been issued many parking tickets and has been wheel clamped. While waiting for parking officer Steve Grabowski to come remove the clamp, Homer leaves the car to go the bathroom in one of the Twin Towers. However, a police officer arrives at Homer's car while he is still in the bathroom. Finding no one present, the officer issues another ticket and leaves. Meanwhile, the rest of the family tours the Statue of Liberty, Little Italy and China Town. Bart leaves the group to visit the offices of Mad magazine, and is in awe when he sees Alfred E. Neuman. The family attends a Broadway musical about the Betty Ford Clinic, and then take a carriage through Central Park to where they are planning to meet Homer.

Upon arriving at the car, Homer realizes he must make it to Central Park to find his family and leave. Ignoring the wheel clamp, he tries to accelerate and in the process destroys the car's fender. Homer stops by a road construction crew and steals a jackhammer so he can remove the clamp. The car is freed of the clamp, but damaged further as a result. Homer flees after being shot at for stopping traffic, then races to Central Park, interrupting picnics and a basketball game, and reunites with his family. On the way out of the city, the family reflects on their wonderful time, while Homer's hatred for New York remains.