William Smithback Jr.

William Smithback Jr. is a journalist who has been hired by the Museum of Natural History to write a non-fiction book about the Superstition Exhibit that is about to open. Smithback is to write a book that covers the history of the exhibit as well as the impact of such an exhibit on the museum itself. The idea behind writing such a book is to promote both the exhibit and the museum. However, in order to do this, Smithback finds himself heavily censored by the museum's public relations director, Mrs. Rickman. Smithback is annoyed with Rickman and often threatens to rebel against her orders, but finds himself doing as he is told in the hopes that this book will lead to a bestselling list and a good job with a daily publication.

Smithback is a curious man who is both pompous and insecure. Smithback befriends many...