In a nutshell, Widge learns that friendship and loyalty are what have been missing from his life. He has been raised by an eccentric doctor who sees no problem with hiring out Widge's services to a man who has proved his willingness to murder for much less than a mistake.

The tasks that Widge has been hired to do is to watch a performance of Shakespeare's Hamlet and write it down, word for word, so that a different play company can put on the show. Using his advanced code-writing skills, he gets the job done, but when a pickpocket steals his notebook, his only options are to make a plan or to face Falconer's wrath.

It is this need to make a plan that leads to Widge making friends. While sneaking backstage in an attempt to steal the play book, he is caught. Thinking on his feet, Widge pretends to want to be an actor. He is immediately accepted by the group and, for the first time in his life, is treated like a normal kid, and as a friend. He learns just how great it feels to be part of a group, how much fun it is to joke around with his peers and how much fun there is to be had in spending time with people are genuinely kind to him.