The kids go on a field trip to Pioneer Village, "Where History Comes Alive", a recreation of early Colorado days. They're greeted by "Pioneer Paul" who's way into character. Mr. Garrison tells everyone to pick a partner to hold hands with and Cartman is left with Butters. Garrison tells Butters that he's not to let go of Eric's hand until they're back on the bus. The kids visit the different sections of the village, all manned by over-enthusiastic actors (just like a Renaissance Fest!) Stan calls Wendy his "girlfriend" - how cute! Kyle points out that one of the "villagers" is wearing a digital watch. The kids visit the town gunsmith, who points out holes in the fence they used to shoot Indians through. Everyone heads off to other areas, while Cartman and Butters stay behind. Cartman looks through one of the holes and sees "Super Phun Time", a Dave and Busters-esque place. Cartman tells Butters that they should go play some video games. Butters refuses, fearing he will get in trouble - but he also won't let go of Cartman's hand. Cartman drags him away. The rest of the kids visit the General Store. Wendy points out that they even had beef jerky "back then". The characters remind everyone that it's 1864. Then some police cars drive by with sirens blaring, ruining the illusion.

An SUV pulls into Pioneer Village and a group of men pop out and close the gates of the village, trapping all of the kids inside. One of the characters, the "sheriff" asks what's going on and gets shot in the head. Stan tells the guys in the General Store that they need to call the cops, but the guys won't drop the 1864 act. Meanwhile, Cartman and Butters arrive at the arcade and Butters still won't let go of Cartman's hand. Stan, Kyle, Wendy, Jimmy and the two guys from the General Store find the village's administration office and call for help - but there's no dial tone. Kyle asks the men how to dial out and they keep playing their roles. One of the men starts to drop the act and the other one points to a sign that says "Never break character!", so he resumes his act. Kyle gets through to the police. Back at Super Phun Tyme, Cartman and Butters play on the rides, play video games and air hockey, roller skate and have ice cream - all while still holding hands. The best part is watching Butters run alongside Cartman while he's driving a bumper car. Butters says they need to head back so they don't miss the bus, and Cartman reluctantly agrees. Back at the village, the terrorists tell the kids that their robbery attempt was thwarted by the cops and when they clear out of the village, they're going to have to take hostages. The cops arrive and surround the village. The head of the gang tells the others to hide the loot in an office. The cops say that this gang robbed a Burger King, so the "loot" is a couple of bills and some small change - and some burgers too. The head of the gang calls the police to negotiate a deal - or the kids are dead.

Kyle and the gang watch the proceedings from afar, and the General Store guys still refuse to break character. Kyle asks if they have any guns and they tell him that the sheriff has rifles - so Kyle sends them off to retrieve them. Cartman and Butters are still on their way back to the village and Butters tells Cartman that he doesn't want him to tell anyone where they were - and besides, he didn't have a super fun time. Cartman told Butters he needed to chill. They see the cops and assume they were called because they were missing. Butters freaks out. Cartman tells them that they could just sneak back in and say they never left. Butters still refuses to let go of Cartman's hand. The gang try to plan their escape and their tactical guy finds an old mine shaft that was no longer in use because a kid had died in it. It's behind a metal door with a coded lock. If they can get the door open, they can escape. The tactical guy wants his share of the loot before he cracks the door code. He gets his burger. The leader, Franz, continues to torture one of the village employees to get the door code and he refuses to break character - and gets shot in the head. Another employee is asked for the code. He starts to tell them the code and is shot by Pioneer Paul, still (obviously) in character. The gang go in search of any other employees or kids - which means Kyle and the gang have to find a hiding place. Cartman and Butters wait for a break to sneak into the village. They climb up a traffic signal pole and slip - still attached at the hands. The gnag find another employee in the village's "prison" - he also won't break character, despite Franz's pleading. Franz threatens to kill one of the kids if Pioneer Paul doesn't talk - and grabs poor Kenny.

Cartman and Butters are still hanging from the traffic pole. Butters is mad at himself because he feels he failed in keeping an eye on his partner. Cartman sees an opportunity to escape and swing themselves around onto the top of a passing truck. They jump over the fence and land in the village. Franz still needs the code and has his gun poised on Kenny. Stan can't let Kenny get killed and makes the "ultimate sacrifice". He puts dirt on his face and pretends to be one of the folks from 1864 and managed to get the code by talking to them in "1864 speak." The code was 1864, of course. Franz decides to take the hostages anyway, because he's such a mean villain. Cartman and Butters mistake one of the gang for a cop and pretend they've been at the village all day. The goon pulls a gun on them and tells them they have to put their hands behind their heads. They both put the unattached hand behind their head. Butters still won't let go of Cartman's hand. Butters swings Cartman around and he knocks the gun-toting goon to the ground, and the two of them run away. Stan tells the character that had been sprung from the "prison", Murderin' Murphy, that Franz had "killed his pa." Murphy jumped Franz, which gave the cops the chance to rush into the village and save the day. Murderin' MUrphy is still in character and tries to kill Pioneer Paul. Right in the middle of the fight, an announcement comes over the PA - it's 5 o'clock and Pioneer Village is closed. Immediately, everyone breaks character. Wendy complemented Stan on his bravery, but said he sounded like a dork. Franz doesn't completely regret his wrongdoings, he was glad he learned about life in pioneer days. A bloodied Butters drags Cartman to the bus and finally lets go of his hand. That's it for "South Park" for now!