Maria is a beautiful, highly intelligent 22-year-old Brazilian woman who travels to Geneva, Switzerland, expecting to work as a samba dancer but eventually chooses to become a sex worker. Driven and philosophical, she keeps a detailed diary to record her observations on love, economics, and human behavior. Despite her cynical outer shell and vows to never fall in love, she secretly harbors a deep yearning for a genuine romantic connection.

Ralf is a 29-year-old internationally renowned artist living in Geneva. Despite his immense success and wealth, he dresses casually and possesses no pretense. Having seen much of the world and endured two failed marriages, he has lost interest in ordinary sexual encounters, seeking instead a profound spiritual connection or inner light in others.

Milan is the pragmatic but benevolent owner of the Copacabana club in Geneva's Rue de Berne. He runs a smooth, highly regulated establishment that strictly adheres to Swiss government guidelines for sex workers. He possesses an uncanny ability to read people, maintaining strict boundaries on who can patronize his club.

Terence is a British music company executive who frequently travels to Geneva. He is married to a popular British singer and actively participates in sadomasochistic roleplay. He introduces Maria to the technical and psychological elements of BDSM, operating with clear boundaries and safety words.

Heidi is a widowed librarian in Geneva who assists Maria in finding books for her varied studies. She is a conventional woman who dispenses mundane life advice, completely unaware of Maria's actual profession. Despite her outwardly stodgy appearance, she harbors her own secret memories of a passionate past encounter.

Roger is a Swiss cabaret owner who recruits young Brazilian women to dance at his club in Geneva. He obscures the restrictive details of his employment contracts, ensuring his dancers are heavily indebted to him for their living expenses upon arrival.

Nyah is a Filipino sex worker at the Copacabana club who becomes Maria's closest colleague. She imparts crucial survival advice to Maria, though their relationship experiences friction when professional jealousy arises over a client.

Maria's mother lives in rural Brazil. She holds a cynical view of a woman's place in the world, famously advising her daughter that it is better to be unhappy with a rich man than happy with a poor one.

Vivian is a Brazilian national who works for Roger in Geneva. She serves as the bearer of bad news for newly arrived dancers, dismantling their dreams of glamour by outlining the strict financial deductions and rules they must live under.

Maílson is a security officer at a hotel in Rio de Janeiro who quickly sets himself up as Maria's agent. He helps negotiate her contract with Roger to secure a financial cut for himself, while offering Maria blunt advice about her worth.