# Tour No. 2 explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

In this chapter, Larry Burns writes letters to his brother Ed from Brussels and aboard the Prinzessin Katrina. He describes the German occupation of Brussels, the journey across the Atlantic, the ship's amenities, and his interactions with fellow passengers. He also recounts a card game where he wins $15, and later a disastrous dinner where his storytelling offends the ladies, leading him to drink and gamble heavily, ultimately losing most of his money.

## Themes in this chapter

### Alcohol and Escapism

Larry uses drinking and gambling to cope with boredom and social discomfort on the ship.

### Satire of Media and Business

Larry's letters satirize the experience of tourism and the business of travel, with humorous observations about the ship and its passengers.

## Character check-ins

### Larry Moon

Narrator and letter writer, traveling with his wife Minnie and Professor Baker.

### Bert

Larry's brother Ed, recipient of the letters.

### Ella

Minnie, Larry's wife, who is seasick and unenthusiastic about the trip.

### Mr. Bartlett

Professor Baker, a fellow traveler who enjoys Larry's stories.

## Key lines

> the mare surenderd the town to the dutch men yest. & they wasent no exitemunt a bout it he just says the town is yrs.

The mayor surrendered the town to the Germans yesterday without any excitement, simply saying the town is yours.

_Describes the German occupation of Brussels._

> I only got a way with $15.00 but thats a lot better then looseing $15.00.

I only won $15, but that's better than losing $15.

_Reflects on his modest gambling win._

> I felt pretty rotten & I asked the profs. would they drink a bottle of wine with me & they was willing but we dident stop at no 1 bottle but had sevrul & they let me lap up the most of it & then like a rummy I went & got all my money accept $50.00 & got in the big game

I felt terrible and asked the professors to drink wine with me. We had several bottles, and I drank most of it. Then, like a fool, I took all my money except $50 and joined the high-stakes card game.

_Describes his drinking and subsequent gambling after the dinner incident._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/tour-no-2
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters