"Ambitious Sophomore" is a short story first published in The Saturday Evening Post on May 1, 1954[1] and reprinted in the collections Bagombo Snuff Box in 1999 and Complete Stories in 2017.
Plot Summary[]
Stewart Haley, Assistant Principle of Lincoln High School, once again confronts George M. Helmholtz, the head of the music department, about his extravagant spending. Having bought one hundred new uniforms for the Ten Square Band for $95 each, a specially made one hundred and first arrives for Leroy Duggan, the self-conscious piccolo player whom Helmholtz describes as "bell-shaped". Helmholtz believes the extra expense is necessary since Leroy plays wonderfully in rehearsal but loses confidence when marching in public, especially in front of girls. Haley says the department doesn't have the funds to cover the whole cost, so Helmholtz writes a check for the twenty dollar difference. He then attempts to sell a gold picture frame to the head of the English Department, Harold Crane, who admires it but needs the money for a new tire. Hearing this, Helmholtz instead sells him his own spare tire. However, all the trouble seems worth it when Leroy puts on his new uniform and marches with confidence.
On the day of the state band competition, Leroy is given a crucial position in the spectacularly planned marching display. However, Leroy's new self-confidence has led him to spend his time talking with a girl who plays piccolo in a competing band instead of preparing. The drum major of another band begins poking at Leroy's uniform, revealing that it's covering his "bell-shaped" frame. Enraged, Leroy and the drum major fight, ruining his special uniform and forcing him to wear a spare normal uniform. Outwardly calm, Helmholtz is distraught as he leads the band, certain Leroy will now botch the finale. However, Leroy plays beautifully and Lincoln wins the competition. Afterward, Leroy talks again with the girl who plays piccolo. Walking back to his car with the trophy, Helmholtz notices he has a flat tire. Smiling, he takes the streetcar instead.[2]
- ↑ The Saturday Evening Post, May 1, 1954
- ↑ "Ambitious Sophomore", Complete Stories, pp. 825-833.