Summary

In the prologue, Joseph Colbourne, a detective, informs prisoner Oliver Marks that he is quitting his job. Anything Oliver confesses to would be off the record. This, coupled with the fact that Oliver is soon to be released, inspires him to tell his story.

“Scene 1” flashes back to 1997: Oliver’s “fourth and final year at Dellecher Classical Conservatory” (12). Oliver is in the Castle library with his friends—Alexander, Wren, Richard, James, Filippa, and Meredith—placing bets on who will get which part in Julius Caesar. Wren and Richard are cousins. Alexander predicts he will play Cassius, Richard will be Caesar, James will be Brutus, Wren will be Portia, Meredith will be Calpurnia, Oliver will be Octavius, and Filippa will “end up in drag again” (14). Meredith and Richard, who are dating, say good night to the group and leave. Oliver returns to his shared...