Leota is a beautician with yellow curls and red-painted fingernails working in a rural Mississippi town during the Great Depression. She provides her clients with beauty treatments and a steady stream of local gossip. As the primary earner in her household, she views herself as independent but remains highly conscious of social status and outward appearances.

Mrs. Fletcher is a loyal client at Leota's beauty parlor who arrives for weekly hair appointments. She has henna-dyed hair and hair-line eyebrows. She actively solicits rumors about others but becomes fiercely defensive when the gossip involves her own private life, particularly regarding rumors of her possible pregnancy.

Mrs. Pike is a nomadic beautician from New Orleans who recently moved into Leota's spare bedroom. Described as an attractive blonde, she works at a local women's hat store. As an outsider to the insular community, she brings fresh observations that disrupt the established social dynamics of the salon.

An attraction at the traveling exhibition located adjacent to Leota's beauty parlor. According to the show's promotional claims, everything he digests turns to stone, leaving him completely immobile. He captures the attention of the salon patrons, who view him as a subject of intense curiosity. Separately, the name Mr. Petrie belongs to a former acquaintance of Mrs. Pike from her time in New Orleans.

Billy Boy is Mrs. Pike's three-year-old son. Because he cannot stay at the hat store where his mother works, he spends his days on the floor of Leota's salon booth. He quietly observes the adult conversations around him and occasionally helps Leota with small tasks.

Fred is Leota's husband. He is currently unemployed during the economic hardship of the Great Depression. He relies entirely on Leota's income from the beauty parlor and serves as a frequent topic of complaints during her shifts.

Mr. Fletcher is Mrs. Fletcher's husband. His wife insists he is completely under her control, requiring him to complete bending exercises every evening. His reputation in town is defined entirely by his wife's claims in the salon.

Thelma is another beautician working at the same salon as Leota. She caters to her clients with deferential flattery and polite charm. She carefully avoids getting caught in the middle of Mrs. Fletcher's anger when questioned about local rumors.

Mrs. Montjoy is a dedicated client of the beauty parlor. She prioritizes her physical appearance to an extreme degree, insisting on receiving hair treatments even during highly unusual and physically demanding circumstances.

Lady Evangeline is a psychic operating as part of the traveling exhibition next door to the beauty parlor. She reads palms for the local women. Her predictions about their futures and finances heavily influence their daily expectations.

Mr. Pike recently relocated from New Orleans to rent a room in Leota's home. He receives favorable financial predictions from the local psychic. He relies heavily on his wife's arrangements for their living situation.