# XVI: Star Reporter for The Rabies explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

The narrator recounts his first assignment as a star reporter for The Rabies, covering the Helsh murder case. The story satirizes sensationalist journalism, featuring a drunken city editor, a bizarre murder investigation, and the tabloid's over-the-top coverage.

## Themes in this chapter

### Satire of Media and Business

The chapter mocks the sensationalism and absurdity of tabloid reporting, as seen in The Rabies' coverage of the Helsh murder.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Grant

The city editor who assigns the narrator to the Helsh case, described as violently drunk.

## Key lines

> It was my first assignment as star reporter for The Rabies and the fact that I was chosen for the task speaks volumes for my city editor, who was violently drunk at the time.

My first big story for The Rabies was a sign of my editor's poor judgment, as he was drunk when he picked me.

_Highlights the satirical tone and the incompetence of the editor._

> Across the front page we had a streamer, “Child Murder Suspect Balks at Pins!” and under it were pictures of Lillian Gish, who had appeared on the screen at a Chestnut Street theatre that week, and of Chief Bender, making a balk.

The front page featured a sensational headline about the child suspect and irrelevant celebrity photos.

_Illustrates the tabloid's focus on sensationalism over substance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/xvi-star-reporter-for-the-rabies
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters