Missie May is a young, attractive woman living in the historically Black community of Eatonville, Florida. She takes deep pride in maintaining her spotless home and preparing hearty Southern meals like fried mullet and crackling bread. Her life revolves around her affectionate marriage and the playful weekly routines she shares with her husband. Though content, she harbors a curiosity about material affluence that is sparked by a flashy newcomer's arrival.

Joe is a hardworking, physically strong man employed at the local fertilizer plant. He values his domestic life immensely and expresses his love through a weekly payday ritual of hiding small gifts and tossing coins for his wife to find. Despite his sturdy character and happiness, he experiences insecurity regarding his socioeconomic status when comparing himself to flashy outsiders.

Otis D. Slemmons is a rotund, flashy out-of-towner who arrives in Eatonville from various urban centers like Chicago and Philadelphia. He flaunts his supposed wealth by wearing a five-dollar gold piece as a stickpin and a ten-dollar gold piece on his watch chain. He frequently boasts about his business success and his popularity with women, presenting a sharp contrast to the rural, hardworking locals.

Joe's mother is a stern figure who holds deep reservations about her daughter-in-law. Because Missie May's mother had a reputation for straying, she fears the younger woman will follow the same path. Her constant disapproval creates an underlying pressure on her son's household.

The clerk is a shop worker in nearby Orlando who interacts with Joe during his shopping trips. He operates with a salesman's mindset, attempting to convince customers to spend more money on expensive items like chocolate bars rather than simple candy kisses.