Chapter 1 – A Favor

Peter was at his university in a common room studying Literature. He wanted to keep up on his work to be prepared for whatever might come. It was hard enough getting into University, even with all the extra tutoring with Professor Kirke, he still wanted to do well. As he was trying to remember what poet wrote poetry in the early sixteenth century when a voice interrupted him.

"Hello Peter, what are you studying now?" Frank, Peter's roommate, asked as he sat down in a chair next to him.

"Literature." Peter replied not looking up from his book, he wasn't sure what Frank Roberts wanted, but he knew it had to be something.

"Oh, learn anything interesting?" Frank asked, not quite offhanded.

"Only what I need to learn for class" Peter replied, inwardly a little miffed that Frank wouldn't just come out with it already.

"That's good. You always do well in Literature and History."

"I wouldn't say always, but I try."

"So, Peter…" Frank started. Peter's face was blank as he looked up from his textbook at him. He finally broke the silence when Frank didn't continue.

"Yes…"

"Well, I was just wondering…" Frank started again. Not quite able to look at Peter, but painfully aware of Peter looking at him.

"Wondering…" Peter pushed.

"I wanted to ask, umm, do you remember that favor you owe me?" Frank said, finally turning to look at Peter, but not quite able to look at him, just past him. Inwardly Peter cringed at the thought of what Frank Roberts needed as a favor. Frank had developed a reputation around the university as a ladies man that jumped from girl to girl nearly weekly. Some people even said that he had brought a few girls up to his room, but Peter had quickly stopped that rumor. Peter knew that he had not because Peter had never spent the night outside of their room and neither had Frank.

Peter had grown rather fond of Frank in the time they had spent together. They had completely different studies and were as diverse as apples and oranges. Peter was going to school to study and do well. He knew he wanted to get a good education and make a good home for possibly a wife. Peter could look anyone in the eye and not turn away; he had that assurance about himself. He knew that he was someone, maybe not important here, but important none the less. He had character and integrity, no one questioned what he did and all the professors trusted him. He had a good relationship with them and did his best. He didn't do well, but he tried.

Frank couldn't even look at Peter as he asked for a favor, but often could feign confidence in front of girls. He was lighthearted and heir to a company, his father was paying for everything and would set him up for life easily. At first Frank had a pride about him that was pure arrogance, a few days with Peter and it turned to almost shame at how little he had to work. Peter had barely anything to start with, but had hope for the future. Frank didn't need hope; he had everything ready for him on a silver platter. He never had to try and would never have to try, but there was something about Peter that made a small bit of Frank change. Sometimes he made Frank want to do better and make something of himself, but then a girl would pass by or something else would catch his interest. That shame haunted Frank at night and in his dreams and it came back as he attempted to cash in on the favor that Peter owed him.

Peter resigned himself to whatever would come to repay Frank as he said, "Yes, I remember. What do you need?"

"Well, you know Daisy, the girl I've been going with." Frank started, fiddling with his tie, trying to loosen it. He had never felt this nervous in his life.

"I thought you were going with Rachel?"

"No, we broke up two weeks ago." Frank said, like it was common knowledge. "You see, Daisy and I would like to go out to the last showing of King Lear at the theatre, but her cousin Katherine has come in to town to visit. She's a nice girl the same age as Daisy; beautiful, stunningly beautiful and sweet as can be. You would love to spend time with her; she is wonderful, wonderful-" Frank was gesturing widely to try to accentuate the fact that Katherine really was wonderful.

"You would like me to go with you, Daisy, and Katherine to the Theatre," Peter said, slightly amused at the thought. "or more specifically with Katherine to the Theatre."

"and Dinner." Frank cut in.

"and Dinner." Peter repeated.

"It would be a great favor to a wonderful old pal to whom you owe a favor." Frank said turning to make eye contact, but quickly breaking it. He knew he was lying to a really good pal; Frank had never met Katherine before and was just trying to get a chance to go out with Daisy again. He didn't like her, just liked kissing her. He was using Peter and knew he was, but was already in this deep and couldn't pull out.

Peter would never shy away from doing a favor for a good friend, and dinner wouldn't be that bad. He had a bit of money put away, enough for dinner for two and the theatre, and it could be worse. He sighed before agreeing to go out a week from Friday. Frank was ecstatic; Peter was starting to wish Frank had asked him to hide a body. Of course Frank had enough money; he could just pay someone to do that.