Short Fiction · Character

Tom Richards

Easygoing ballplayer and clubhouse companion whose deadpan needling exposes everyone else's pretensions before they know they have any.

major

Also known as Tommy, Tommy Richards, Mr Thomas, Thomas, Thomas Cannon

First appearance: my roomy

As a major figure in Short Fiction, Tom Richards is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Tom is present at the poker game and deals the hand that leads to Elliott's initial win.

In the storyVOpen this moment free

See Tom Richards in V Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With Billy Bowen (friendship): Billy Bowen and Tom Richards are close friends, possibly partners in crime or adventure. With Billy Bowen (friendship): Billy Bowen and Tom Richards are close friends, possibly partners in…

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Tom Richards sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Tom Richards in my roomy

Character Web

46 connections

A slice of how Tom Richards sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Baseball and Social Circles
Humorous Companions
Boxing and Ambition

+41 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because it marks the psychological peak of the crowd’s self-deception, where their…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Billy Bowen
friendship · positive
Billy Bowen and Tom Richards are close friends, possibly partners in crime or adventure. How this plays out →
Billy Bowen
friendship · positive
Billy Bowen and Tom Richards are close friends, possibly partners in crime or adventure. How this plays out →
Billy Bowen
friendship · positive
Billy Bowen and Tom Richards are close friends, possibly partners in crime or adventure. How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Tom Richards in my roomy

In the story

Tom Richards appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

V
Tom is present at the poker game and deals the hand that leads to Elliott's initial win.
VI
The narrator, who tries to manage Elliott's behavior and later deals with the aftermath of the elevator incident.
Where Do You Get That Noise?
Central figure grappling with the noise of expectations and the desire for authenticity.
The Crook
Umpire partner of Bull, provides insight into Bull's behavior and helps after the incident.
V
Returns to Chicago, reunites with Billy, and helps him shop for Christmas presents.
IV: Buffalo to Rochester 76.4
The father, who is frugal and insists on reaching Rochester before lunch.
IX: The Bureau of Manhattan
The father, who has his plans ready and will drive to Greenwich with Bill to check the house.
The Big Town
The narrator, accompanying his wife to New York.
III: Lady Perkins
Narrator who fabricates a dog disease to impress Lady Perkins.
Bluebeard
One of the brothers who comes to the wife's rescue and helps kill Bluebeard.
Who Dealt?
Tom is the husband of the narrator, a writer whose story has been rejected by multiple magazines. He is also depicted as having changed his habits, such as giving up nightgowns for pajamas, and is teased about a poem he wrote about another girl.
Old Folks' Christmas
Father who feels disconnected from his children and disappointed by their lack of enthusiasm for Christmas traditions.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Tom Richards unlock in the free preview.

See Tom Richards in my roomy

See Tom Richards in V