The 24-year-old unnamed narrator works as a fact-checker in the Department of Factual Verification at a prestigious New York literary magazine. Originally aspiring to be a writer, he spends his nights using cocaine and visiting dance clubs to numb the pain of his recent separation from his wife, Amanda. He feels alienated from his wealthy peers and constantly fears losing his job due to his poor performance. He frequently catches the scent of fresh bread, a sensory memory that connects him to his past.

Tad works in advertising and lives in an Upper East Side apartment. He operates as a relentless partier who prioritizes drugs and casual sex over stability. He constantly supplies the narrator with cocaine and encourages his worst habits, preferring constant motion over quiet nights at home.

Amanda is the narrator's estranged wife, a former Kansas City resident who moved to New York with him and quickly found success as a fashion model. She comes from a background of economic insecurity and views her relationship with the narrator as a stepping stone to a more sophisticated life. After finding career success, she moves to Paris and leaves their marriage.

Clara is the strict supervisor of the Department of Factual Verification. A Vassar graduate originally from Nevada, she demands perfection from her staff and holds zero tolerance for factual errors. She harbors a deep frustration with the narrator's constant tardiness and sloppy work.

Vicky is Tad's cousin from Boston, currently staying with him while attending an academic conference at New York University. As a graduate student studying philosophy at Princeton, she presents a sharp contrast to Tad's usual social circle. She is intelligent and grounded.

Megan works alongside the narrator in the Department of Factual Verification. A former actress with a teenage son living in Michigan, she operates as the most grounded and sympathetic member of the office. She regularly checks on the narrator and offers practical advice when his personal life bleeds into his work.

Michael is the narrator's younger brother. He serves as a connection to the narrator's family in Pennsylvania, repeatedly trying to contact him to discuss their family obligations and check on his well-being.

The narrator's deceased mother. She welcomed Amanda into their family before passing away from cancer a year prior to the story's events. Her death deeply affects the narrator and drives much of his behavior.

The narrator's father, who travels frequently for business. He worries about the narrator's well-being in New York and attempts to reconnect with him through Michael.

One of the narrator's twin brothers, raised in Pennsylvania alongside the rest of the family.

The other of the narrator's twin brothers, living away from the city.

Dolly is Amanda's mother, a beautician who trades on her physical appearance. She openly envies her daughter's youth and flirts with the narrator during his visit.

Alex is an older staff writer at the magazine who often drinks heavily during the workday. He frequently recounts stories from his past, including the time he shared a Hollywood office with William Faulkner.

Rittenhouse is a veteran employee in the Department of Factual Verification, having worked there for fourteen years. He functions as a steady, reliable presence in the stressful office environment.

Yasu is a fellow fact-checker whose mother is Japanese and father is an Air Force Captain. He serves as Clara's favored employee and frequently points out the narrator's mistakes.

Odysseus is a large, physically imposing man whom Amanda introduces as her new fiancé.

Elaine is a fashion model from Amanda's agency. She recognizes the narrator and questions him about his career, though she quickly loses interest in his answers.

Theresa is a woman socializing with Elaine who shows exaggerated enthusiasm when the narrator mentions his job at the literary magazine.

Richard is a journalist writing an exposé about the inner workings of the magazine where the narrator works. He seeks inside information from disgruntled employees.

Rich is an investment banker who knew the narrator during college. He recently returned from a business trip to South America.

Walter is the travel editor at the magazine who advises the narrator on how to pursue a writing career.

Bernie is a figure connected to the criminal underworld who uses a limousine as his mobile office and suggests he is involved in drug trafficking.

Stevie is an attractive person in a black gown and silk scarf who briefly dances with the narrator at a late-night party.

Jimmy is a street vendor who sells exotic animals, handing the narrator a business card after attempting to sell him a ferret.

Sally is the magazine's receptionist, distinctive among the Ivy League staff for her working-class accent.

Lucio is the Sicilian-born elevator operator at the magazine building who transports staff to the 29th floor.

The Druid is an upper-level editor at the magazine whose scheduling decisions directly impact the fact-checking department.

The Ghost is a colleague at the magazine who slides past the narrator in the hallways.