Content Warning: The section of the guide includes discussion of illness, death, racism, antigay bias, and cursing.

In the 1970s, Dave is acting in Terra’s production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth at the Edinburgh Festival for the performing arts. Meanwhile, Hector has landed a season at Stratford-upon-Avon with the Royal Shakespeare Company: He has a very small role in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Dave and Hector continue their relationship long-distance, but for Dave, the relationship falls short of what he had hoped for.

At a cast party, Dave is talking to Julie Halberton, a well-known actress he has worked with. He is about to introduce her to Hector when she turns and gives Hector her coat, thinking that he is a servant who will hang it up. Hector takes the coat but walks away in disgust and drops it deliberately on the floor. Julie tries to apologize, but Hector is not forgiving. Hector returns to work with Terra, but his relationship with Dave deteriorates. They take a trip to Devon, where they are refused a room at a bed and breakfast. Seven months later, Hector lands a part in a Hollywood movie. Dave does not go with him, and he and Dave do not meet again.