Frank is a 24-year-old drifter originally from San Francisco. He lives a transient lifestyle, moving from place to place and relying on his street smarts and manipulation to get by. Arrogant and impulsive, he firmly believes he can talk his way out of any trouble.

Cora is an ambitious woman stuck working at a roadside diner. A former aspiring Hollywood actress, she craves excitement, fame, and a sense of importance. She resents her current life and views her marriage as a cage that prevents her from being someone special.

Nick is the proprietor of the Twin Oaks Tavern, a roadside diner and filling station. He is an exceptionally trusting and hospitable man who readily takes people at their word. His naive nature blinds him to the dissatisfaction of his wife and the intentions of his new employee.

Katz is a sharp, forty-year-old lawyer with a leathery face and a black mustache. He communicates in a sly, calculating manner and prides himself on playing the legal system. He views courtroom battles as a personal game, especially when pitted against rival attorneys.

Kyle Sackett is a district attorney described as a big man with a bald head and a breezy manner. Despite his friendly exterior, he is a brutal and intimidating interrogator with a cold approach to justice. He relies on rapid-fire questions and thorough background knowledge to overwhelm suspects.

Madge is a traveler who rents big cats to movie sets and hunts pumas in Nicaragua. Like Frank, she has a wandering spirit and embraces a transient, adventurous lifestyle free from permanent ties.

Pat Kennedy is an opportunist and former associate of Katz. He involves himself in high-stakes legal situations to exploit vulnerable individuals for his own financial gain, using intimidation to get what he wants.