Zero is an undersized, partially bald accountant who has worked at the same monotonous job for twenty-five years. He occupies a low rung on the socio-economic ladder and finds comfort in repetitive tasks. Though he appears outwardly docile and conservative, his inner life harbors intense, suppressed frustrations and dark fantasies about the people around him. His rigid routine is shattered when he discovers he is being replaced by mechanical equipment, prompting an uncharacteristic and severe reaction.

Mrs. Zero is a sharp-featured, forty-five-year-old homemaker with streaks of gray in her hair. She is fiercely ambitious and constantly worries about social mobility, frequently comparing her life to those of her wealthier neighbors. Well-versed in local gossip, she maintains an unyielding ego and a strict, judgmental moral code that masks her deep dissatisfaction with her current station.

Miss Devore is Zero's assistant at the department store, having worked alongside him in close quarters for years. Though she views herself as refined, she is subjected to Zero's internal criticisms regarding her appearance and social class. Despite their constant bickering over minor workplace hiccups, they share an unspoken connection and retreat into personal fantasies to survive the drudgery of their workday.

Shrdlu is a grubby, forlorn man who suffers from severe insomnia and overwhelming remorse. Raised in a strictly religious environment by his mother, he committed a grave crime and now anxiously awaits strict punishment. He acts as a guide to Zero, though his obsession with his own sinful nature prevents him from finding comfort in his new surroundings.

Judy O'Grady is a strong, independent woman living in Zero's neighborhood. She adheres to a progressive moral code, making her a frequent target for the community's judgment. She faces legal trouble after being reported to the police for indecent exposure within her own home, highlighting the rigid social expectations enforced by her neighbors.

Lieutenant Charles is a commanding figure who oversees rote, repetitive work processes. Much like the workers he manages, he feels undercompensated and weary of his repetitive duties. He wields significant authority over the individuals he supervises, dictating their movements and assignments with a blunt, unsympathetic demeanor.

The Boss manages the department store where Zero works. He is a pragmatic businessman who barely knows his employees, failing even to remember the name of a man who has worked for him for twenty-five years. He prioritizes efficiency and technological advancement over human loyalty, casually dismissing workers to install new machinery.

The Fixer is an unusual figure who arrives to dictate procedures. He represents a cold, bureaucratic force that finalizes outcomes without emotional attachment, delivering stern lectures to individuals about their dire situations before calling in security forces.

The Head is a literal disembodied head trying to get some sleep in a noisy, unusual environment. Irritable and easily frustrated by disturbances, he demands absolute quiet and goes so far as to borrow and throw objects at those who disrupt his rest.

Joe is an associate of Lieutenant Charles in a busy administrative environment. He assists in managing the workers and executing orders, though his lighthearted demeanor occasionally draws his superior's ire when he treats serious directives as humorous.

The Guide is a detached professional who treats living subjects like museum exhibits. He leads educational tours for children, explaining his subjects to caretakers and students with a clinical, observational detachment that ignores the humanity of the people on display.

Dr. Amaranth is a local minister who visits Shrdlu's highly religious childhood home for dinner. His routine visit is permanently tied to the tragic and violent incident that cemented Shrdlu's profound guilt and desire for punishment.

Mrs. Twelve is a high-ranking member of the local social hierarchy. She enjoys elevated privileges, such as seeing uncensored films downtown, which makes her an object of intense envy for ambitious women attempting to climb the social ladder.

Mrs. Seven is a member of the local community whose personal life becomes prime fodder for neighborhood gossip. Her rumored plans to divorce her husband provide the other women with a scandalous topic of conversation.

Mrs. Three is a neighbor in the Zeros' social circle. Her behavior at the local movie theater provides entertaining gossip for the other women in the community, reinforcing their collective habit of judging one another over minor infractions.