Charles is a time machine repairman for Time Warner Time who lives in Minor Universe 31. He chooses to reside at the fringes of the universe in a grammatical tense known as the Present-Indefinite. He actively avoids reality and human connection to protect himself from emotional pain. He carries unresolved trauma regarding his family, particularly his inventor father's unexplained disappearance years earlier.

Charles's father is a first-generation immigrant and a brilliant structural engineer. Working a tiring desk job, he spends his personal time researching speculative science and attempting to build a working time machine prototype in his family garage. He exhibits a quiet demeanor to cope with the daily frustrations of his life.

Tammy is the user personality interface of the TM-31 Recreational Time Travel Device. Charles selects her over the male interface due to physical attraction. She suffers from programmed anxiety and a strong desire to please. Her simulated emotional responses reflect Charles's psychological state, offering him an artificial sense of companionship.

Ed is a rescue dog and Charles's silent companion aboard the TM-31. Formerly the sidekick of a space western hero who abandoned him near a black hole after finding fame, Ed shares Charles's isolated life on the edge of time.

Phil is Charles's manager at Time Warner Time headquarters. He is a computer program who genuinely believes he is a human being with a real family. He frequently attempts small talk to maintain this programmed illusion, entirely unaware of his digital nature.

Charles's mother is a first-generation immigrant who uses anxiety as a defense mechanism against the chaotic universe. She taught Charles English grammar during his childhood. She currently resides inside a one-hour commercial simulation that her son purchased for her, though she expresses clear dissatisfaction with the artificial arrangement.

Linus is the young son of Luke Skywalker. He struggles with the enormous legacy of his famous father, feeling so overshadowed by him that he attempts to alter chronological events to escape the burden of his family name.

The Research Director is an important figure at the Institute of Conceptual Technology. He possesses enough influence to detect energy patterns from amateur time machine prototypes and holds the power to validate independent scientific discoveries.