Fuckhead is an aimless young man struggling with substance use who works as a clerk in a Midwestern hospital in 1973. He feels adrift in his own life, passing his shifts in a drug-induced haze while passively observing the unpredictable events around him. Despite his deep sense of resignation regarding his own capabilities, he maintains a sharp, poetic eye for the natural environment and yearns for a sense of meaning.

Georgie is an orderly at the local hospital who routinely steals pills to share with his colleagues. He acts as the primary catalyst for the events during his shift, driving the truck and making impulsive decisions. Beneath his erratic, drug-fueled behavior, he harbors an earnest desire to help others and sincerely views himself as a capable life-saver.

Terrence is a local man who casually arrives at the hospital seeking medical attention after a domestic dispute. He possesses a calm, pragmatic demeanor regarding his severe injury, remaining conversational with the confused hospital staff. His stoic reaction to trauma directly contrasts with the chaotic incompetence of the medical personnel on duty.

Hardee is a young man actively dodging the military draft by attempting to reach Canada. He previously lived with Fuckhead during the prior summer and relies on passing drivers to make his escape. His brief appearance prompts the hospital workers to reflect on their own identities and purposes.