The School Bully vs. The A-Student | Short Film "Paulie"

The Shorts Network
22 Feb 202111:05
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this engaging script, Polly, a 9-year-old seventh-grader, faces accusations of cheating from Tony after she petitions to skip to the eighth grade. Tony, who wins the Stanford Fellows essay contest, is suspected by Polly of plagiarism. Amidst a series of challenges and confrontations, including a humorous request for a wedgie and eating dirt, the story unfolds with a twist, revealing the true nature of academic rivalry and integrity. The narrative concludes with a surprising announcement of a new top scorer in the math olympics, adding a layer of unexpected success to the tale.

Takeaways
  • 🎓 Polly is a nine-year-old seventh-grader who is petitioning to skip to the eighth grade.
  • 🥊 Tony threatens Polly with a choice between eating dirt or getting punched in the stomach, but Polly refuses to do either.
  • 🏆 Tony wins the Stanford Fellows essay contest with his essay titled 'Passing Through'.
  • 📚 There is an accusation by Paulie that Tony cheated on his essay, which Tony vehemently denies.
  • 🔍 The vice principal, Mr. Burger, is involved in investigating the plagiarism claim against Tony.
  • 📚 The library's Dewey Decimal system is mentioned as a potential way to verify if a book is missing, which might relate to the plagiarism accusation.
  • 🤔 Polly is asked to find a book with a code between two Dewey decimal numbers, which seems to be linked to the plagiarism issue.
  • 🍰 There is a social gathering with cake, where Tony's integrity and the essay contest are discussed.
  • 🏅 Tony is announced as the new top scorer and next year's Math Olympiad captain, indicating his academic prowess.
  • 🤝 There is a resolution where Paulie apologizes to Tony, and they share a moment of reconciliation over cake.
Q & A

  • What is the main conflict in the script?

    -The main conflict in the script revolves around the accusation of plagiarism against Tony Malpead, who is accused by Paulie of cheating in an essay contest.

  • Who is Polly and what is her educational goal?

    -Polly is a nine-year-old seventh-grade student who is petitioning to skip ahead to the eighth grade.

  • What is the significance of the essay contest in the script?

    -The essay contest is significant as it is the event where Tony is accused of plagiarism, leading to a series of confrontations and revelations about academic integrity.

  • What is the prize for the essay contest?

    -The grand prize for the essay contest is a recognition as the winner of the Stanford Fellows Essay Contest.

  • Why does Paulie accuse Tony of cheating?

    -Paulie accuses Tony of cheating because he finds it hard to believe that Tony could succeed academically, given that he has not seen Tony in the library since fifth grade.

  • What is the role of the vice principal in the script?

    -The vice principal plays a role in mediating the conflict between Paulie and Tony, and encourages Paulie to accept that other students are capable of academic success.

  • What is the significance of the missing book in the library?

    -The missing book in the library is significant as it is used as a piece of evidence by Paulie to accuse Tony of plagiarism.

  • What is the outcome of the plagiarism accusation against Tony?

    -The outcome of the plagiarism accusation is not explicitly stated in the script, but it leads to a series of events that challenge Tony's integrity and reputation.

  • What is the significance of the Math Olympiads captain announcement?

    -The announcement of the new Math Olympiads captain signifies a new achievement for Tony, showing his academic prowess in another area besides the essay contest.

  • What does Polly want Tony to do as a consequence of his alleged cheating?

    -Polly wants Tony to confess to Mr. Burger that he copied his essay, to give himself a wedgie, and to eat dirt as a form of punishment for cheating.

  • How does the script end?

    -The script ends with an announcement of test results and the introduction of a new character, TJ Merriweather Colby, as the new top scorer and Math Olympiads captain.

Outlines
00:00
🏆 Academic Competition Drama

The first paragraph introduces a competitive academic environment where a young student named Polly is accused of plagiarism by a peer named Paulie. Polly, a ninth-grader aiming to skip to the eighth grade, is involved in an essay contest at Stanford. Tony Malpead is revealed as the winner, but Paulie accuses him of cheating. The school's vice principal, Burger, intervenes, suggesting that Paulie owes Tony an apology, and hints at a possible investigation into the library's missing books.

05:09
🕵️‍♂️ Accusations and Resolutions

In the second paragraph, the drama continues as Polly, who seems to be investigating the plagiarism claim, interacts with Tony. She finds a copy of the contested essay and confronts Tony, who denies cheating. The narrative then shifts to a social gathering where Tony is recognized for his academic achievements, specifically winning an award and being named the new Math Olympics captain. The paragraph concludes with the introduction of a new character, TJ Merriweather Colby, who is acknowledged for his top score in a test, suggesting a new rivalry or dynamic in the school's academic scene.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡petitioning to skip ahead
This term refers to the act of formally requesting permission to advance to a higher academic level. In the script, Polly, a ninth-grader, is petitioning to skip to the eighth grade, indicating her desire for academic advancement and the theme of competition and ambition in the educational environment.
💡essay contest
An essay contest is a competition where participants submit written compositions to be judged on their quality. In the video, the Stanford Fellows Essay Contest is a central event, highlighting the theme of academic rivalry and the pressure to succeed, as evidenced by Tony Malpead winning the grand prize.
💡plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's work without proper attribution and presenting it as one's own. In the script, Paul accuses Tony of plagiarism, suggesting a conflict over honesty and integrity in the academic setting.
💡Dewey Decimal System
The Dewey Decimal System is a method of categorizing books in a library by subject. In the script, Polly is asked to find a missing book between two Dewey decimal numbers, which ties into the subplot of investigating the plagiarism accusation.
💡academically capable
Being 'academically capable' means having the ability to perform well in an educational setting. The script uses this term when Tony defends himself against the plagiarism accusation, asserting that he, like others, is capable of academic success.
💡apology
An apology is a formal expression of regret or remorse for a mistake or wrongdoing. In the script, Paul owes Tony an apology after falsely accusing him of cheating, which is a key moment in the narrative that addresses the theme of fairness and accountability.
💡Math Olympiads
The Math Olympiads refer to a series of international mathematical competitions for students. In the script, Thomas, TJ Merriwether Colby is announced as the new top scorer and captain for the next year's Math Olympiads, emphasizing the theme of academic excellence and competition.
💡tutor
A tutor is a person who provides individual instruction or coaching, often in a specific subject. In the script, Tony's relationship with Polly as his tutor is mentioned, indicating a supportive role in his academic journey.
💡cake
Cake is a sweet dessert often associated with celebrations. In the script, cake is used as a metaphor for success and recognition, as Tony is invited to have cake after his essay contest victory.
💡cheater
A cheater is someone who engages in dishonest practices to gain an unfair advantage. In the script, the accusation of being a 'cheater' is a significant point of conflict between Paul and Tony, reflecting the theme of integrity in competition.
💡homework
Homework refers to tasks or assignments given by teachers to students to be completed outside of class. The script mentions 'homework' in the context of the new kid's experience, illustrating the universality of academic responsibilities and the challenges they present.
Highlights

Polly, a nine-year-old seventh-grader, is petitioning to skip to the eighth grade.

Tony threatens to punch Polly in the stomach, but she refuses to choose between eating dirt or being punched.

Polly is determined to skip grades to get to Stanford faster.

Tony wins the Stanford fellows essay contest with his entry 'Passing Through'.

Paulie accuses Tony of cheating and not writing his own essay.

Vice Principal Burger suggests Paulie owes Tony an apology for the false accusation.

Paulie's accusation of plagiarism is questioned by the lack of evidence and Tony's academic history.

Polly is asked to find a missing book with a Dewey Decimal number between two given values.

The missing book is somehow related to Tony's essay and plagiarism accusation.

Polly is coerced into admitting to copying the essay and is humiliated with a wedgie.

Tony is revealed to have a tutor, not a friend, which complicates the plagiarism situation.

Tony's mother expresses pride in his essay and apologizes for the misunderstanding.

TJ Merriweather Colby is announced as the new top scorer and Math Olympiad captain.

The new student, nine-year-old, is concerned about the behavior of older kids.

The transcript ends with a musical note, indicating a lighter or unresolved tone to the story.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
Academic RivalryIntegrity IssuesSchool DramaEssay ContestCheating AccusationStudent AchievementMath OlympiadChild ProtagonistEducational GrowthMoral Dilemma