# Tom Richards — Short Fiction character guide

> Tom Richards in Short Fiction by Ring Lardner.

**Role:** major

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

**First appearance:** 0000-my-roomy

## Who they are

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

## Relationships

### [Billy Bowen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters/billy_bowen)

_friendship_

Billy Bowen and Tom Richards are close friends, possibly partners in crime or adventure.

### [Billy Bowen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters/billy_bowen)

_friendship_

Billy Bowen and Tom Richards are close friends, possibly partners in crime or adventure.

### [Billy Bowen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters/billy_bowen)

_friendship_

Billy Bowen and Tom Richards are close friends, possibly partners in crime or adventure.

## In the story

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/v)

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

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/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?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/where-do-you-get-that-noise)

Central figure grappling with the noise of expectations and the desire for authenticity.

### [The Crook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/the-crook)

Umpire partner of Bull, provides insight into Bull's behavior and helps after the incident.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/v)

Returns to Chicago, reunites with Billy, and helps him shop for Christmas presents.

### [IV: Buffalo to Rochester 76.4](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iv-buffalo-to-rochester-76-4)

The father, who is frugal and insists on reaching Rochester before lunch.

### [IX: The Bureau of Manhattan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/the-big-town)

The narrator, accompanying his wife to New York.

### [III: Lady Perkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iii-lady-perkins)

Narrator who fabricates a dog disease to impress Lady Perkins.

### [Bluebeard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/bluebeard)

One of the brothers who comes to the wife's rescue and helps kill Bluebeard.

### [Who Dealt?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/old-folks-christmas)

Father who feels disconnected from his children and disappointed by their lack of enthusiasm for Christmas traditions.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters/tom_richards
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters