Rick is a personable, bright young black man (Negro as they were politely called then) who has a fascination with gadgets.  It is fortunate that his father, Saul, is a carpenter and his mother a teacher (before her marriage), as they both encouraged his penchant for taking things apart.  They discovered early that he could make a fair attempt at putting things back together.  Saul’s brothers were also tradesmen, so Rick was exposed to the mysteries of plumbing and metalworking by his uncles.  Rick had been an only child until his parents took in two children left orphaned by a neighbor’s misfortune.

Rick is a tinkerer, fascinated by technology.  He is an avid reader, especially of magazines describing the latest developments in science and engineering.  He is a “ham” radio operator and is familiar with both mechanical and electrical equipment.  He has completed two years of college at Miskatonic U. and is taking the year off to go on the European trip.

Rick’s father had done considerable work at the home of Mrs. Maude Derringer Daniels, and Rick had accompanied his father on many occasions.  Maude took a liking to the boy and decided to offer him both employment and a scholarship for advanced studies in Europe.  She felt that his talent would be ignored in the still uncivil United States.  Rick has accepted her offer to show him Europe and introduce him to the various centers of cutting edge physics and engineering there.  In exchange, he acts as an attendant for her.