Jerry is a freshman at Trinity High School grieving the recent death of his mother. He plays on the football team and fears falling into a monotonous life like his father. He receives an assignment from the secret student society known as The Vigils to refuse selling school chocolates. He obeys the order, but his decision to extend the boycott isolates him from his peers.

Archie serves as the Assigner for The Vigils. He maintains the social hierarchy at Trinity through psychological intimidation. He disdains physical violence, preferring to manipulate students and teachers to satisfy his desire for control. He designs elaborate pranks that frustrate the administration and cement his power over the student body.

Brother Leon is the interim headmaster and a teacher at Trinity High School. He attempts to secure his permanent position by doubling the annual chocolate sale quota. He purchases the extra inventory with unauthorized school funds. He openly exploits the insecurities of his students and uses grades as leverage to force compliance.

Roland is a freshman athlete. He finds his only true peace while running through the city streets at sunrise. He receives a traumatic assignment from The Vigils to unscrew the furniture in Brother Eugene's classroom. His strong moral conscience clashes constantly with his fear of the secret society.

Emile is the school bully. He enjoys inflicting physical pain and petty humiliation on weaker students. He operates outside the official structure of The Vigils but acts as a blunt instrument for Archie. He constantly seeks confrontation and relies on intimidation to secure his social standing.

Obie acts as the errand boy and secretary for The Vigils. He tracks student information in a notebook and handles the logistical details of assignments. He despises Archie but lacks the courage to openly defy him. He looks for small ways to undermine the Assigner instead.

Carter is the president of The Vigils and a physically imposing member of the varsity football team. He relies on physical intimidation to keep students in line. He grows impatient with Archie's subtle psychological games. He strictly enforces the tradition of the Black Box to keep the Assigner in check.

Brian is a timid student forced into an administrative role by the interim headmaster. He tallies the daily chocolate sales and discovers discrepancies in the financial reporting. His position places him uncomfortably close to both the school administration and The Vigils.

David is an excellent student who becomes a pawn in the chocolate sale conflict. He realizes that a failing grade on his test is a manipulative tactic. Brother Leon uses the grade to force him into revealing information about Jerry. This extortion permanently damages his trust in adult authority.

Brother Eugene is a sensitive teacher at Trinity High School. He suffers a nervous breakdown after a student prank causes his classroom furniture to collapse. He takes an indefinite leave of absence from the school as a result.

Brother Jacques is a teacher who uses his intelligence to counter student disruptions. The Vigils organize a prank triggered by his use of the word "environment." He turns the joke around by deliberately overusing the word to exhaust the students.

Gregory is a smart, well-behaved student who faces unwarranted public humiliation. Brother Leon targets him to demonstrate absolute power. The teacher uses circular logic to accuse him of cheating while the rest of the class watches in silence.

Frankie is a junior who openly disrespects The Vigils. He views their control over the student body as a joke. He points out their failure to force a freshman to sell chocolates, which results in violent retaliation from Carter.

Jerry's Father works as a pharmacist. He struggles to cope with his wife's recent death. He buries his grief in his daily routine and lives a predictable life that terrifies his son.

Ellen is a girl whom Jerry frequently notices at the bus stop. She represents his desire for connection outside the all-boys environment of Trinity High School. When he finally gathers the courage to call her, a misunderstanding ruins the interaction.

John is a student at Trinity who excels at school fundraisers. He uses his salesmanship to compensate for his poor academic performance. He views the chocolate sale as an opportunity to win praise.

Tubs is a student participating in the chocolate sale for selfish reasons. He hopes to use his sales money to purchase a bracelet for a girl he likes. He believes this gift will earn her affection.

Paul is a student who views the chocolate sale as an excuse to leave his house. He feels suffocated by his parents and their predictable routines. The fundraiser provides him with a temporary escape from his domestic life.