Jerry Mitchell is an average high school student who finds himself in a precarious situation when he's assigned to write a profile on the new student, Buddy Revell, a notorious bully with a fearsome reputation. Things take a turn for the worse when Jerry unintentionally provokes Buddy by touching his shoulder, leading Buddy to challenge him to a fight at 3:00 PM that same day. In the hours leading up to the showdown, Jerry scrambles to find a way out of the confrontation, facing a series of misadventures as he seeks help from teachers, friends, and even the principal, all to no avail. His attempts to escape or defuse the situation only seem to make things worse.

As the clock ticks closer to the dreaded time, Jerry experiences mounting anxiety and desperation. He tries everything from negotiating with Buddy to resorting to underhanded tactics, but nothing seems to work. His efforts to involve adults or authority figures backfire, leaving him utterly alone and without options. The looming fight becomes not just a physical threat but a test of Jerry’s courage and resourcefulness, as he realizes that he must confront his fears head-on. The tension builds steadily, leading to a climactic moment where Jerry has no choice but to face Buddy.