Content Warning: The source material features depictions of bullying and verbal abuse of a child.

Owen Birnbaum describes himself as a 12-year-old overweight genius. He describes the importance of Oreo cookies within his dieting program. He struggles as a student in the Martha Doxie School in New York City. One of his most challenging classes is Mr. Wooly’s gym class. Owen thinks his gym teacher is conventional and when he waits for class to begin, he talks with a classmate. The classmate, Andre Bertoni, suggests that Owen take a “fat exemption” to avoid Mr. Wooly’s class (5).

Owen alludes to someone named Nima but promises to return to Nima later.

The class gathers to begin a lesson on somersaults. A student attempts a somersault, following Mr. Wooly’s instructions, and fails. Students laugh, and Owen notices that Mr. Wooly gives instructions to non-athletes that cause them to fail. In contrast, Mr. Wooly lets athletes attempt somersaults without instructions. On his turn, Owen refuses to follow Mr. Wooly’s instructions, citing the physics of the situation. Mr. Wooly tells Owen to hold his position on all fours as he rustles through the equipment closet. Andre yells support for Owen, calling him “Flapjack,” and Owen becomes increasingly nervous.