"They sing pretty well, y'know?"

"Yes, they do. Uh...do you boys have any sort of--singing contest like this?"

"The independents, you mean? No."

"Here by the fire we defy frost and storm; We are warm; And we have our heart's desire; For here we're good fellows and the beechwood and the bellows..."

"Now look you guys, shoulders back, and dammit, no wiggling or waving."

"D'you want to go back to your room and change before the dance begins?"

"Why of course. Here. Here--shh. I want to hear who won."

"....and in first place...Phi Kappa Psi"

"'Ay! 'ow 'bout that!

"Let's have a cocktail, George!"

"Damn right! Pete, are you bringing Gail to the house now? We have to go down and celebrate, man!"

"Sure do. You want to go to the house now, don't ya, honey?"

"Sure she does. Gail likes to drink."

"Now, Mouse, don't say things like that about me. We all going there together?"

An empty beer can rattles through the air over their heads. Gail turns back and smiles, waving at the tottering man who threw it. Another tinkles down the walk. The red and green flag of Phi Kappa Psi looms in sight as the party enters the Wriston Quadrangle, housing the college's 17 fraternities and nine of its dormitories wedged in between them.