Chapter 2: The Real Beginning

2. The Real beginning

Ray and Peter’s loss of contact for a decade would have been inconceivable just that same period ago. They were more than just friends, they were more than just inseperable. And there was a third member of the party, Peter’s sweetheart and future wife – after her emergence into her lover’s life she had almost no choice but to become the third wheel of the car. Perhaps that itself was the beginning of the problem, but never was it truly evident to the onlooker.

Two young men would begin their tenure at the great global institution that was the university of Oxford. Having been educated at so called ‘minor private schools’ both came from similarly middle class backgrounds coming from the leafy southern suburbs of London. Be it the optimistic age or be it their realisation of their potential, both were floating so high, looking down they were barely able to see the 9th cloud. Having said this, neither would meet until half way through their first year despite living in the same halls of residence.

Their chance meet would be at the university’s famous ‘Experimental Theatre Club’. One would be a English literature student aspiring to break into the screen writing industry graced by the club’s distinguished alumni including his heroes Rowan Atkinson, Michael Palin and many more. There was an aura in the name of the club coated in magic dust, the kind that Peter felt would help him reach what was likely just his destiny. If there any potential nursery for his talent to be nurtured and even be publicised, could there possibly be a better place he’d ask himself. Much of his latter sixth form year had been spent in amateur dramatics clubs and performances and if there was one thing to match his sheer commitment and effort to the cause, it could only be his drive and desire. To many close to him, this would be a bit of a surprise choice of career with no relevant influence in his family or peers, though no one was surprised at the grip the Rottweiler would keep on its prized bone.

His soon to be companion on the other hand began this as little more than one of his many spontaneous moments. The younger Ray was a much more animated and jovial individual with few of his now acquired characteristics. He realised his age was one at which to enjoy life and experience everything he would, including keeping to the terms of a bet which would force him to take part in a theatre production he knew nothing about. There was though one element of his precision that was already present and that was in his academia. Ever since a young age, mathematics came to Ray like hunting did to tiger cubs, the learning was more harnessing the instinct than true tutorship.

Their first production together allowed the aspiring writer to begin to make his mark on the club by impressing the more senior at the club. At the time, this was even more of an achievement given the sheer arrogance of the incumbent hierarchy but nonetheless, one could not ignore enthusiasm and positive input when it was there. Ray also got what he wanted – he was brushed aside and not really included which made the loss of his wager all the more simpler to ignore.

Peter would get one more gift, in the form of an elegant, voluptuous girl. She was always very smartly dressed and made up enough to dazzle those around her, yet not enough for one to question her position in society. Her tall, slender figure towered over most of the men and was often complemented by long, silky dresses. Similarly to her admirer, she was driven and passionate and also came from a background of amateur dramatics to pursue her career in acting. Cupid delivered his arrow of fate as she would be land the top role in a revamped children’s classic, with the heroine’s role being type cast by the club’s rising newcomer.

Ray and Peter would quickly form a friendship at the club and the latter being instrumental in the success of his romance with the gorgeous actress and classics student. It often fell to Ray to conjure up rehearsed situations to allow his friend to work his charm and magic, whilst Ray was enjoying the wider range of female companions at the university. As time passed inevitably, Peter became more and more of an integral part of the theatre club whilst, his friendship with Ray would bloom alongside his romance. Beginning with elegant dinners and moving onto other theatre performances, both would become quickly smitten for each other’s company. It was almost so quick that one could be surprised that they even knew each other particularly well. Though in due course, this would occur anyway.

Through the arriving years, Peter would begin to get more and more influence on the writing aspect of the plays and was able to use this influence to attain his beau the heroine’s role more often than not. At the same time, Ray began to dabble in many of the random societies he could find, in particular those involving engineering. His love of mathematics drew him towards the poker societies, with more so the statistical aspect intriguing him; for he saw not cards and hands but probabilities that were to be reckoned with. Much of his spare time, outside of socialising and fraternising with the opposite sex, would be spent arranging and rearranging electrical and engineering components to create his imagined devices. Whilst Peter knew little about diodes, transistors and the like, simply his company would help Ray create his home made fans, card dealers, solar powered light etc. In the end, they were more for show than anything, with his room shelf looking more like a museum dedicated to simple machinery. Not too dissimilarly, Ray would give his input to the playwright in Peter despite his own limitations but regardless, this seemed to increase the rate of productivity.

Peter’s romantic relationship would blossom throughout his tenure at university, getting rather easier for him as the time went. Whilst most of his contemporaries would complain at the sheer effort their partners demanded, he felt far more liberated. What helped him more would be the fact that she was perfectly happy to be part of a trio with Ray. The closeness of the three would however begin to have a negative impact as their social circles began to dwindle, the flowers dying from a lack of constant watering. By their final 6 months, even Ray’s popularity and interest in the ladies around him began to fall, though everyone seemed perfectly content to do so. As they say after all, it is better to be loved by few than known by many, is it not? Of course, the only counter to that remains the fact you must continue to love and be loved by the few.

Having left university, the Ray and Peter would find themselves geographically split up; nonetheless vowing to continue their contact. Not too long after, Peter would marry his long term partner and both would begin their quest to break into the London theatre and TV industry. Whilst both would get small things here or there, both dreams would truly never materialise. The resulting tensions and financial trouble would create chaos in the relationship and Peter’s failing drive and passion would be channelled into a temperamental storm of emotions. It is therefore of no surprise that the marriage would meet an untimely doom.

Ray’s fascination with statistics would continue would continue as he took up many posts across the country associated with risk and statistics. With his chauvinistic and platonic behaviour with women recommencing, he would never truly achieve a harmonious relationship. Throughout his early career though he’d quickly learn the fickle nature of the business as his apparently close friends and colleagues would betray them for the benefit of commerce. It would take a few years but this hardening process would make a more ruthless and single minded man out of him. The large salaries and bonuses were too hard to resist and would become the root of the evils altering forever the once warm, spontaneous man. He would finally return to London 8 years after his graduation but by now, his relationship with Peter had been completely severed. On one side, the moody frustration was burning the rope of their friendship and on the other, a ruthless drive for success more than happy to drop it. They would therefore, not speak again until the night before their meeting when Ray would receive a surprise phone call from a long lost compatriot.