Roger is a frail, 14- or 15-year-old boy whose unwashed face and hunger point to a home life lacking in supervision. He desires a pair of blue suede shoes, a luxury item that represents a lifestyle far removed from his current poverty. Initially fearful when caught trying to steal, his demeanor shifts as he encounters unexpected hospitality, revealing a wish to be seen as trustworthy.

Mrs. Jones is an imposing, middle-aged or elderly woman who works late shifts at a hotel beauty shop. She is plainspoken and physically strong, easily subduing the boy who attempts to steal from her. Beneath her tough exterior lies a strong maternal instinct and a deep capacity for empathy, shaped by her own past experiences of wanting things she could not easily obtain.