The Next Great Paulie Fink: Part 5: List 1

Okay, here it is: The effect of decomposition on the exocarp of Musa acuminata, a tropical herbaceous flowering plant, and the implications for human peregrination.

Okay, here it is: The effect of decomposition on the exocarp of Musa acuminata, a tropical herbaceous flowering plant, and the implications for human peregrination.

Okay, here it is: The effect of decomposition on the exocarp of Musa acuminata, a tropical herbaceous flowering plant, and the implications for human peregrination.

So when I read Paulie's abstract, I assumed Paulie's parents had a dead houseplant or something, and he was trying to figure out how to turn it into an experiment.

Fumigate! They had to fumigate the whole school!

Actually, Gabby, I believe what she said was, "You are a character out of literature, Paulie Fink. You are an archetype. You are a Shakespearean Fool."

Then she explained to everyone—everyone else, that is, because I already knew it—that Shakespearean Fools aren't fools at all: They're actually some of the wisest people around. They misbehave as a way of poking fun at powerful people. I remember Mags said, "To mock the arrogant, to outwit the vain."

I swear, he must have spent the whole weekend reading Shakespeare, because he was all, "Good greetings, my lady, pray tell how dost thou fare on this glorious morn!"

I remember him saying to one teacher something like, "I do beseech that thou wilt forgo the accursed work of the pencil to be done by the hearth," which was his way of asking for us not to get any homework.

I remember him saying to one teacher something like, "I do beseech that thou wilt forgo the accursed work of the pencil to be done by the hearth," which was his way of asking for us not to get any homework.

I remember him saying to one teacher something like, "I do beseech that thou wilt forgo the accursed work of the pencil to be done by the hearth," which was his way of asking for us not to get any homework.

“I know all about Shakespeare. But I’m not sure everyone here is...uh, quite so familiar with the work of the Bard.”

There were so many great ones: I scorn you, scurvy companion!

Diego checks his wrist. “You...Banbury cheese!” he replies. “Heedless jolthead!”

“Dull and muddy-mottled rascal!”

“Minion of the moon!”

“I don’t even know what that means, you...you...popinjay!”

“You’re a fusty nut with no kernel!”
“No, you’re the fusty nut!” Fiona screams.

“Mildewed ear! Quintessence of dust!”

I don't know. That seemed sort of profound, and Shakespeare's supposed to be profound, so I said to you, "All people see is their own darneth selves."