Princeton University

Scott returns to Princeton.

Princeton University

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Production of Safety First, a musical comedy with 21 song lyrics by Scott by the Princeton Triangle Club.

Zelda abandons ballet studies.

Scott’s poor academic record forces his withdrawal from Princeton before graduation.

Scott receives commission as 2nd lieutenant in U.S. infantry.

Scott writes to his mother “If you want to pray, pray for my soul and not that I wont get killed – the last doesn’t seem to matter particularly and if you’re a good Catholic the first ought to.”

Scott reports to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. His captain was a hard working, hard driving West Pointer, Ike Eisenhower who took no nonsense from his new trainee with more literary than military ambition. Scott begins on the novel, The Romantic Egotist. He later wrote "I would begin work at it every Saturday afternoon at one and work like mad until midnight. Then I would work at it from six Sunday morning until six Sunday night, when I had to report back to barracks. I was thoroughly enjoying myself."

Scott receives leave from the army. He travels to Princeton, where he completes the first draft of "The Romantic Egotist." In March he sends the novel to Shane Leslie, who submits it to Scribners in May.

Scott reports to Camp Zachary Taylor, Louisville, Kentucky.