Miranda is a young theater critic for a local newspaper in Denver, Colorado. She struggles to make ends meet and feels overwhelmed by the constant societal pressure to perform patriotism during World War I, such as buying Liberty Bonds she cannot afford. Her pessimistic, sometimes nihilistic worldview stems from an unhappy past and leaves her feeling alienated from the superficial cheerfulness around her.

Adam is a young soldier from Texas who is waiting to be deployed to Europe. He spends his extended leave in Denver taking walks, visiting diners, and dancing with Miranda. He hopes to become an electrical engineer after the war, maintaining a steady optimism that contrasts directly with Miranda's cynicism.

Chuck is the sports reporter at the same Denver newspaper where Miranda works. A medical exemption prevents him from being drafted into the military, leaving him defensive about his fitness and social standing. He secretly prefers the theater to sports but keeps his current job to financially support his father's alcohol addiction.

Towney writes the local gossip column for the Denver newspaper. She previously worked as a hard news reporter alongside Miranda before management demoted them for refusing to publish the salacious details of a young girl's elopement. She often performs acts of public patriotism, such as knitting sweaters, to avoid societal judgment.

Miss Hobbe is the landlord of the building where Miranda rents a small apartment. She monitors the health of her tenants and insists that Miranda remain in bed when illness strikes.

Miss Tanner is a nurse working in the local hospital during the severe influenza outbreak. She provides dedicated medical care in an overwhelmed, chaotic environment where resources are stretched thin.