The Duplicity Factor

An American Story

A major university in the Northeast. Time: Mothers day, 1977 (The last day of school). As the story opens, we find the main character reminiscing about the school year and his ideas on being successful. He is met by his best friend and fraternity brother "Villo" who has his own ideas of success and brotherhood and is a constant throughout the story and represents the evil in our society. After a grueling final exam, its off to the fraternity -- a major social factor in the relationship between "Villo" and Jake Carpenter (the main character). At the house, the two are consumed by drugs and alcohol and take their celebration to a local tavern. Six days later, Jake opens his eyes only to find he has been in a coma after a terrible automobile accident. Clinging to life, the doctors decide not to operate to relieve pressure on the brain. A great sense of urgency is felt by the readers as they share the pain of the Carpenter household. A miraculous recovery follows, but in the subsequent weeks, Jakes father wants to sue "Villo" and Jake feels torn between his best friend and his parents. The oncoming school year presents a whole new set of problems, as Jake seeks the help of a psychiatrist for his head injury. ........ Jake falls in love with a beautiful Jewish girl and the stage is set for his Master Plan. The fraternity brothers are in contempt of Jakes plan to sue "Villo" and want him out. Jake quits school and fires his first lawyer, and is totally on his own -- searching for the right lawyer to collect his due. He finds Edgar -- a sharp trial lawyer with powerful connections in Washington. Jake seizes the opportunity and tells his new doctor an unbelievable set of stories that climaxes with the assassination attempt on the Secretary of State -- Alexander Haig. After years of deceit and trickery the stage is set for one of the most thrilling trials in history, with a surprise ending that all will find amusing.