Francis is a 58-year-old former professional baseball player who now lives as a vagrant in 1938 Albany. He left his family twenty-two years ago following a tragic accident and survives by taking odd jobs and drifting between towns. He relies heavily on alcohol to cope with severe trauma, regularly hallucinating the ghosts of people from his past. Despite his history of violent outbursts, he extends genuine loyalty and charity toward his fellow vagabonds.

Helen is a former classical pianist and singer from an upper-class background who currently lives on the streets with Francis. She suffers from a painful stomach tumor but retains her refined artistic tastes, taking pride in her musical abilities and past education at Vassar College. She is fiercely protective of her autonomy and views her current circumstances as the result of unfortunate fate rather than personal moral failure.

Rudy is an agreeable, somewhat dimwitted vagrant who recently befriended Francis. He suffers from stomach cancer and often speaks in a rambling manner that occasionally reveals sharp insights into human nature. He relies heavily on Francis for companionship and direction as they face the brutal realities of homelessness.

Annie is Francis's estranged wife, who maintained the family home and raised their remaining children during his twenty-two-year absence. She possesses a forgiving nature and keeps the truth of her infant son's death a secret to protect her husband's public reputation.

William, often called Billy, is Francis and Annie's adult son. He recently faced public scrutiny due to an incidental connection to a political kidnapping case but has since had his reputation restored. He maintains contact with his estranged father and actively defends him against family criticism.

Margaret, known as Peggy, is Francis and Annie's adult daughter. Unlike her brother, she harbors significant resentment toward Francis for abandoning the family and leaving them to fend for themselves.

Gerald is Francis and Annie's deceased infant son. His accidental death twenty-two years ago, caused when a drunken Francis dropped him, serves as the central trauma that drove Francis into a life of vagrancy.

Katrina is a passionate, upper-class housewife who lived next door to the Phelans during Francis's youth. She initiated a sexual relationship with the teenage Francis, profoundly shaping his lifelong search for affection before her death in a 1912 fire.

Rosskam is a 71-year-old ragman who drives a junk collection wagon through the streets of Albany. He views vagrants strictly as expendable labor and openly boasts about his ongoing sexual encounters with women along his route.

Oscar is an old friend of Francis and Helen who operates a local bar. Once a highly successful singer, he now provides a venue for his friends to find momentary solace, encouraging Helen to perform for his patrons.

Sandra is a heavily intoxicated vagrant woman who frequents the areas around the mission. She is severely vulnerable to the harsh conditions of the streets and relies on the occasional charity of other homeless individuals to survive the cold.

Pee Wee is a former alcoholic who now helps manage the operations at the local mission. He maintains order during the sermons and tries to provide basic care to the vulnerable vagrants who gather outside.

Harold is a deceased trolley conductor who attempted to work during the 1901 trolley strike. He died when Francis threw a rock at him, and his ghost now follows Francis through the streets of Albany.

Rowdy Dick is a deceased vagrant who attempted to mutilate Francis in 1930 to steal his shoes. Francis killed him in self-defense, and Dick now exists as one of the many phantoms demanding Francis's attention.

Aldo is a deceased horse thief who tried to escape police custody by boarding a train with Francis. He was shot by pursuing officers, and his ghost continues to silently track Francis's movements.

Jack is a friend of Francis and Helen who holds a steady job and maintains a permanent residence. He provides them with food and drink but gently encourages Francis to stop drinking and find regular work.

Clara is a former sex worker who abandoned her family to live with Jack. She suffers from illness and holds a bitter attitude toward her past, acting warmly toward Francis but treating Helen with noticeable disdain.