Jack Rankin is given three weeks of after-school gum cleanup for the head custodian after he is seen defacing a school desk with a large wad of repulsive watermelon bubble gum. The issue is that Jack's gum initiative was first motivated by his resentment towards the chief custodian. Jack's father also happens to be the chief caretaker. But, spending time in the school's basement after hours uncovers some really unexpected facts about the institution, Jack's father, and Jack himself.