The Burning (season 9, episode 16)

written by Jennifer Crittenden, directed by Andy Ackerman
original airdate: March 19, 1998

Elaine discovers that Puddy is religious, and he tries to convince her that she’s going to hell. Jerry’s girlfriend uses “it’s me” on the phone and refers to a mysterious “tractor story.” George finds himself picking up the slack for his boss, Kruger. Kramer and Mickey perform disease symptoms for medical students.

FEATURED LOCATIONS

The Improv is not featured in this episode.

Jerry’s Apartment
Jerry gets the “it’s me” from Sophie, and finds out about her “tractor story” when he turns the tables on her. Jerry teaches George and Kramer about the art of showmanship. Kramer and Mickey practice their respective diseases for an acting job at a hospital.

Monk’s Café
Jerry and George decipher what the “tractor story” could mean. Elaine reveals her confusion over Puddy being a religious Christian, but is upset when he tells her she is going to hell. George catches Mr. Kruger skipping out on work.

Kruger Industrial Smoothing (NOT REAL)
101 Park Ave., New York, NEW YORK (map)
nearest subway: Grand Central – 42nd Street (4,5,6,7)
George uses his showmanship skills to impress his coworkers, but ends up getting them fired, leaving him the sole employee left with Mr. Kruger. By the episode’s end, the “R” on the building’s sign falls off, leaving the company named “K UGER” in the eyes of Mr. Kruger.

Las Vegas, NEVADA (map)
Jerry mentions comics use showmanship in Vegas…to which George questions whether Jerry’s actually played Vegas, with Jerry only replying “I hear things!”

Mount Sinai Hospital (now Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)
1425 Madison Ave., New York, NEW YORK (map)
nearest subway: 96th Street (6)
Kramer and Mickey work as actors portraying symptoms, resulting in them fighting over who gets to have gonorrhea.

Lafayette Square
335 Manhattan Ave., New York, NEW YORK (map)
nearest subway: 116th Street (B,C)
Kruger Industrial Smoothing over-smoothed a statue in the square, over-smoothing the heads on the statue of Marquis de Lafayette and George Washington.

Sophie’s apartment
New York, NEW YORK
Jerry tries using the “it’s me” on Sophie, who thinks she is another man named Rafe, who she divulges that Jerry does not know the “tractor story” yet.

Elaine’s Apartment
Elaine and Puddy argue over Elaine’s faith (or lack thereof), and whether she’s going to hell.

VIETNAM (map)
Kramer, pretending to have cirrhosis of the liver, uses a back story about being a Vietnam veteran.

Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church
308 W. 46th St., New York, NEW YORK (map)
nearest subway: 49th Street (N,Q,R)
Elaine and Puddy go visit Father Curtis to discuss their religious differences, and realize they’re both going to hell.