Soapy is an unhoused man facing the harsh reality of winter in early 20th-century New York City. Rather than enduring the intrusive conditions of local charity shelters, he pragmatically plans to get himself arrested for a minor offense to secure a warm bed on Blackwell's Island. He maintains a fierce sense of personal dignity and views himself as a gentleman despite his impoverished circumstances. His various attempts to break the law reflect his desperate need for basic survival necessities.

The police officers of New York City represent the law enforcement apparatus that Soapy desperately tries to engage. These officers repeatedly misinterpret his deliberate infractions, dismiss him as harmless, or ignore him completely. Their reactions render Soapy practically invisible and enforce the city's rigid social divisions.

The waitstaff at the city's restaurants serve as gatekeepers to the warmth and sustenance Soapy desires. They operate on strict judgments based on social class and physical appearance. They actively enforce the divide between affluent citizens and the unhoused population by physically removing Soapy from their establishments.

A woman on the street whom Soapy approaches in an attempt to act like a public nuisance. Unbeknownst to Soapy, she operates in the city's informal economy as a sex worker. She surprises him by reacting warmly to his advance instead of calling for police intervention.

A well-dressed man who becomes the target of Soapy's attempt at petty theft. Though he appears to be an affluent citizen, his anxious reaction to his stolen umbrella reveals a morally hypocritical nature. He quietly relinquishes the item rather than demanding police assistance.