SOLVED. Wannabe Paul. [s]

[Mr. Cody]

The book I'm thinking of is more like a short-story... It was probably written pre-WWII, definitely turn of the century, flapper era. I definitly get a Great Gatsby vibe from it all.

It was about a teenager who I truly think was named Paul. Paul was obsessed with high society and being rich. He fancied himself an aristocrat, but was just as poor as th next guy. Anyways, one day, while Paul was at work, his boss/manager gave him a big wad of cash to deposit in the bank. Paul was seduced by the massive chunk of change and saw this as his ticket live the life he always dreamed of.

In any case, Paul purchases some fancy duds and buys a train ticket where he rubs elbows with some true blue elites. The remaining parts of the story detail his highs and lows of living out his ultimate fantasy.

I read this book back in 2002 for an AP literature class. I know for a fact PBS or some other studio made a film of this story.

I also know it doesn't have a happy ending.

I've tried using Google to find the title, but nothing came up. This leads me to be less than certain the protagonists name is actually Paul. But in any case, a plot like that is bound to help me find the title more than just a generic, white-guy name.

Help me out folks! It's why I joined this group. Help me put this 15 yr mystery to bed! (Please).

[Tab]

Sound's like Paul's Case by Willa Cather. Here is a link to the Wiki page
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul...

[Mr. Cody]

Solved!