- "The Oath" John and Lorraine vow that they will record "the facts, and only the facts" about their experiences with Mr. Angelo Pignati.
- They are typing this "memorial epic" on their school library's typewriter, under the watchful eye of the librarian, Miss Reillen (a.k.a. the Cricket, because her stockings make a scratching sound) who thinks they're writing a book report for their English class.