Freeland McBean, also known as String, is a star football player on the middle school’s team. Because String is failing his classes, the coach talks to String about academic probation. String must improve his grades to passing if he wants to play football again. String is distraught and doesn’t understand why he has to pass his classes because he’s a football star. 

Mr. Fanshaw chimes in to explain that school comes first but offers String a chance at extra credit. Mr. Fanshaw tells String about the P.A.G. and suggests String speak to Cameron Boxer to learn about joining the club. If String joins the P.A.G., he’ll be able to play football as long as he doesn’t completely flunk his classes. String only cares about football, so he agrees to Mr. Fanshaw’s plan. Mr. Fanshaw expresses that Cameron is difficult to track down, but String is sure he can do it. 

Using his football speed, String manages to catch Cam and his buddies trying to leave school in a hurry. String tells Cam that he’s joining the P.A.G. Cam tries to dance around the topic, but String intimidates Chuck into agreeing that String should join the club.