Thomas has a old friend in need of money and he is willing to help him even though they did not grow up on great terms. “I can lend you the money you need , but you need to take me with you” Thomas says. He wanted the father's ashes as well as Victor. Thomas has effects on people that don't really interest anyone. He tells stories that come from his mind. The author Sherman says “Nobody talked to Thomas because he told the same damn stories over and over again” and “Thomas was a storyteller that nobody wanted to listen
to. That's like being a dentist in a town where everybody has false teeth.” No one was interested in his imaginary stories. Victor calls Thomas “that crazy Indian storyteller with ratty old braids and broken teeth…” He was telling the readers how he notices Thomas.
Thomas makes a comment on Native Americans and about the Fourth of July. He states that “It's strange how Indians celebrate the Fourth of July. It ain't like it was our independence everybody was fighting for.” This mainly points out that no one fought for Native Americans and his kind shouldn't be celebrating the Fourth of July like it's about them. He has thoughts of his values and beliefs. Furthermore , he says “We are all given one thing by which our lives are measured , one determination. Mine are the stories which can change or not change the world…” This quote is significant because Thomas explains why he tells his stories to people whether they listen or not.
The actions Thomas makes has him wondering. The author says when Thomas was finally driving they saw the first animal and he killed it. Thomas said “You drive for a thousand miles and there aint even any bugs smashed on the windshield. I drive for ten seconds and kill the only living thing in Nevada.” Thomas is trying to explain that things like this happen constantly in his life , bad things always happen and he expresses that.