It came as something of a surprise when I received Doctor Jekyll's invitation to dinner. I had seen him on occasion over the previous months, and had even exchanged a few words with him about his health, and the weather. However, our friendship had never recovered from our arguments of previous years, and while I still counted him a friend to whom I would extend every courtesy, I did not see myself as part of his immediate social circle. Still and all, a dinner invitation is a very palpable extension of the hand of friendship and I for one was not going to snub it.

I dressed myself well but soberly and made my way to his house, entering the cold cloister of his courtyard with a youthful step. The moon was but a sliver in the sky, yet was more than enough to light the space like a stage waiting for Titania and Oberon to weave their spells. The frost glittered in the light, and I took a deep breath of the chill air, feeling most alive. I knocked at Jekyll's door and was greeted by the man himself.