Jimmy is a charismatic, highly skilled safecracker who is recently paroled from a ten-month stint in prison. Known for his custom-made tools and quick wit, he possesses valuable connections that keep his sentences short. Despite his criminal profession, the prison warden observes that he is not a bad person at heart, opening the possibility for him to change his ways when he encounters a new life in Elmore, Arkansas.

Ben Price is a dedicated and skilled police detective who previously arrested Jimmy in Springfield. He represents the persistent force of the law, resenting the political strings that allowed his target an early pardon. Familiar with the unique methods of master thieves, he works diligently to ensure justice is properly served.

Annabel is the lovely, respectable daughter of the local banker in the small town of Elmore. She represents a peaceful, honest life far removed from the criminal underworld. Her quiet charm and steady morals exert a powerful, immediate influence on Jimmy when he arrives in town.

Mike is a cafe owner and a loyal associate in Jimmy's network. He is politically connected, having pulled the necessary strings to secure a governor's pardon for his friend. He acts as a reliable guardian of Jimmy's possessions, safely storing his room and expensive tools during the prison sentence.

Mr. Adams is the proprietor of the only bank in Elmore and the patriarch of his family. He is a proud, respectable local businessman who values security, evidenced by his investment in a new, modern bank vault. He warmly welcomes newcomers who bring legitimate business to his small town.

May is the older of Annabel's two nieces. She is an energetic young girl whose playful curiosity about her grandfather's new bank vault initiates an unexpected emergency for the family.

Agatha is the younger niece of Annabel Adams. She is a small child who becomes the center of a tense and frightening situation when family playfulness goes awry near the heavy bank vault.

Billy is an old friend from Jimmy's past life. He remains a trusted contact, representing the criminal network that Jimmy considers leaving behind when he contemplates a permanent change of lifestyle.

The prison warden is the authority figure who oversees the end of Jimmy's incarceration. He handles the official paperwork for release and offers direct, pragmatic advice, genuinely suggesting that his prisoner has the potential to live an honest life.