If We Were Villains

The group join the other Dellecher students for the convocation, held on the 9th of September, which is the birthday of founder Leopold Dellecher. The convocation is one of those rare occasions in which students of different disciplines, such as theatre, choral music, studio art, languages, and philosophy intermingle. Dean Holinshed delivers his inaugural speech, welcoming the first years. He asks the students to make bold choices during their time at Dellecher, since in choosing such an unusual education, they have already shown they are remarkable.

Oliver notes that “it [is] a week before anything else interesting [happens]” (49). Sessions continue until they each receive a note about secret rehearsals for the Halloween play. It is an annual tradition at Dellecher to perform a scene from Macbeth for Halloween. The fourth-years are not supposed to reveal their parts to each other. Oliver is playing Banquo, and they will be performing Act I, Scene 3 and Act IV, Scene 1. Oliver wonders if there is a clerical error in assigning the part since Banquo is a major character in both scenes. Meanwhile, Richard seems unhappy with his part and walks away from the group. Meredith tries to talk to Richard, but he brushes her off.