# There Are Smiles explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

The chapter introduces Ben Collins, a jovial traffic policeman at Fifth Avenue and Forty-sixth Street, known for his witty rebukes and good humor. His life changes when he stops a speeding Cadillac driven by a beautiful, impudent woman with an irresistible smile. Despite his initial sternness, he is charmed by her. She offers him a ride home, and during the drive, they engage in playful banter where Ben lies about his job to amuse her. They agree to meet again, and Ben finds himself looking forward to it, feeling a sense of joy he hasn't experienced before.

## Themes in this chapter

### Celebrity and Artistic Integrity

Ben's playful lies about his job and his enjoyment of being questioned by the public reflect a performance aspect to his role, where he crafts a persona for the amusement of others.

### Alcohol and Escapism

Ben's initial desire to 'sleep two weeks' and his feeling of being unable to feel as bad as he thinks he does suggest a form of emotional escapism, though not directly tied to alcohol.

## Character check-ins

### Ben Lacey

A traffic policeman at Fifth Avenue and Forty-sixth Street, known for his good humor and subtle wit. He is charmed by a woman driver he stops for speeding.

### Ella

The woman driving the Cadillac, who has an irresistible smile and a thrilling voice. She engages Ben in playful conversation and offers him a ride.

## Key lines

> He went to bed, wishing he could sleep and dream, wishing he could sleep two weeks.

He went to bed, hoping to sleep and dream, wanting to sleep for two weeks.

_Expresses a desire to escape reality through sleep._

> Ben was wont to finesse.

Ben was accustomed to using clever tactics.

_Describes Ben's subtle and witty approach to dealing with traffic violators._

> It was the prettiest face he had ever seen and it wore a most impudent, ill-timed, irresistible smile, a smile that spoiled other smiles for you once for all.

It was the most beautiful face he had ever seen, and it had a bold, inappropriate, and irresistible smile that ruined all other smiles for you forever.

_Highlights the immediate and profound impact the woman's smile has on Ben._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/there-are-smiles
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters