The Boss is a wealthy, stout businessman who takes great pride in his modernized London office, frequently showing off his new carpet, furniture, and electric heating. He outwardly projects strength and vitality. He presents a sharp contrast to his frail former employee. Beneath his authoritative exterior, he harbors deep, unresolved grief over the loss of his only son during World War I. He chooses to bury his emotions beneath material success and avoids visiting his son's grave in Belgium to maintain a state of denial.

Mr. Woodifield is a frail, elderly man who previously worked for the Boss. After suffering a stroke, he lives under strict supervision from his wife and daughters. They allow him to venture into the city exactly once a week, dressing him heavily against the cold. He admires the Boss's vitality and modern office without any envy. He openly accepts the grief of losing his own son in the war, finding peace in the knowledge that the cemetery is beautiful and well-tended.

Macey is the grey-haired office messenger who has worked faithfully for the Boss for years. He is highly subservient and obeys commands quickly without question. He holds warm memories of the time the Boss's son spent working in the office.

The Boss's son is a young man who died six years prior during World War I. Before the war, he worked alongside his father and demonstrated a natural aptitude for the family business. His memory haunts the office through a stern-looking photograph in uniform that his father finds unnatural.

The Fly is a small insect that falls into a pot of ink on the Boss's desk. The creature struggles to survive against overwhelming odds, meticulously wiping the ink from its wings. The Boss personifies the insect as a brave, tenacious entity, projecting his own thoughts about grief and survival onto its struggles. The insect serves as an unwilling participant in the Boss's dark experiment with mortality and power.

Reggie is Mr. Woodifield's deceased son, who lost his life in World War I. His well-maintained grave in Belgium brings comfort to his family. His relatives speak of him freely and openly.

Gertrude is one of Mr. Woodifield's daughters. She acts as a caretaker for her ailing father and strictly limits his movements for his health. She recently traveled to Belgium to inspect her brother's grave and track hotel expenses.

Mrs. Woodifield is Mr. Woodifield's wife and primary caretaker. Following his stroke, she enforces rigid rules regarding his health. She limits his trips to the city to a single day each week.