- Ray, a high school student, is one of those people who wins at everything. He enters a speaking contest, and magnanimously decides to gave a few tips to Marilyn, a young girl who has also entered the contest. To Roy's surprise--and anger--Marilyn cleans Roy's clock and wins hands down. Roy begins to harbor dark thoughts about Marilyn. The coach of the debating team, noticing this, decides to sit Roy down and have a talk with him about winning and losing, before Roy does to Marilyn what the contest judges did to him.—frankfob2@yahoo.com
- At a school assembly, Ray Medford is announced as the new senior class president. He gives a gracious acceptance speech, and his opponent, Dick, is equally gracious in congratulating him. He even asks Ray to call on him if he ever needs volunteers. Ray admires him for being such a good loser.
Mr. Murray introduces himself to the viewers as the Debate Club coach. He mentions that Ray is an excellent extemporaneous speaker, and that he knows how to win. At a Debate Club meeting, he introduces new team member Margaret Jackson to Ray, and asks that he coach her, so Margaret can fill Ray's spot on the team next year. Ray agrees. He helps her practice and points out things she needs to work on in a patient, understanding way. With Ray's encouragement, she improves steadily.
At the district tournament, Ray is confident and impressive, as usual. Marilyn seems shy at first, but soon gains her composure and makes a good impression on the judges. The result is a stunning upset: Ray gets only second place because Marilyn has won! She goes to Ray to acknowledge that she only succeeded because of his help, but Ray is surly and leaves abruptly. Back at home, Ray stuns his father with the news that after two consecutive state championships, he lost at the district level. When Dad learns that it was Ray's own protégée who beat him, he kids Ray a bit. Dad is sure Ray will take it like a good loser, but Mom just says "I hope so."
Next day, the other students fawn over new champion Margaret and submit Ray to some good-natured ribbing. He replies, "Why don't you all shut up." The others think Ray is being unfair, as he was certainly ready to hear praise when he was the winner. Marilyn again tries to apologize to Ray for winning, but he accuses her of having manipulated him from the beginning, and winning by smiling at the judges. Marilyn has had enough and leaves. Ray tries to apologize, but she's already gone.
Coach Murray wants to talk to Ray about plans for the state tournament, but Ray says he's not interested and is going to leave the team. Mr. Murray suggests that Ray has decided that if he can't be best, he won't be anything. He points out that a team wins or loses together, and that Ray was a major factor in the team's victory. He reminds Ray of how good a loser Dick proved to be after the class president election. He says,"You can win a lot of respect and inner strength by being a good loser."
Off-screen, Mr. Murray puts several questions to the viewer: Does being a good winner make it hard to be a good loser? Would Ray have been a better loser if his family and friends hadn't kidded him about his loss? Will Ray ever be able to be a graceful loser? How would you have acted if you had been Ray? What to you think?" On that final question, the question mark familiar to viewers of this series appears over Ray's face.
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