My Buddy Theory

I don't think Buddy was a bully at all. I think he had a special mission in life. He went from school to school and found the losers and the nerds and slowly drew them into a fight he was planning on losing all along to help elevate that "nerd" to a more popular level with his peers. And he let nothing get in his way.

1) He finds his "project" (Jerry) when Jerry tries to do a piece for the paper on him.

2) Jerry tries to reason with Buddy (all part of the plan) and even tries to get out of the fight by planting a switchblade (which backfires) when he finds it stuck in his steering wheel and the wiring cut. (all part of the plan) He gets caught by security and taken to the principal but is let go. (everything falling into place)

3) With no other escape he tries to hire some muscle to take care of Buddy. Though probably not part of Buddy's plan it is little more than an obstacle.


4) Finally Jerry tries to buy his way out of the fight which stops Buddy dead in his tracks. It looks as if Buddy will let him off the hook but this is still part of the plan. Humiliate him into the fight as a last resort which works.

5) Buddy easily knocks out a big football player and 2 adults before the fight but has a hard time taking Jerry down. That's because even though he's hitting Jerry, it's not as hard as he hit the adults. Why would Buddy need to bring brass knuckles to a fight with a smaller kid? To make everyone think he dropped them and Jerry picked them up as if it were an accident. He knows Jerry can't take him down without them.

6) Jerry knocks out Buddy with the brass knuckles. Or does he? When we look back at the spot where he fell, both he and the weapon are gone. It's because Buddy didn't want Jerry to get into anymore trouble than he already was in. His plan to have Jerry "beat him up" and make Jerry the hero worked.

7) In the end Buddy gives Jerry the money he needs and smiles at him. As if to say, "You did it, man. You stood up and conquered your fear. Good job. Now I'm off to the next high school to help out another nerd."