Geoffrey is a former British diplomat living in Quauhnahuac, Mexico, who struggles with a severe alcohol addiction. His dependency dominates his daily existence, often manifesting as internal voices he calls his "familiars" that simultaneously criticize and encourage his drinking habits. Despite his highly educated background and diplomatic history, he isolates himself from his loved ones and vigorously resists their attempts to intervene in his life.

Yvonne is an American former actress and the Consul's ex-wife. She returns to Mexico with the specific goal of salvaging their broken relationship and relocating him to a remote farm in Canada to aid his recovery from alcohol dependency. Having spent her youth supporting her financially unstable father, she carries a deep-seated urge to rescue the men she loves, often tying her own fate to their well-being.

Hugh is the Consul's younger half-brother, an idealistic war journalist with a rebellious past. He previously worked as a sailor and an aspiring songwriter in London before dedicating himself to covering the Spanish Civil War. Unlike his cynical older brother, Hugh maintains a strong sense of political righteousness and actively supports anti-fascist causes, serving as an ideological and temperamental foil to the Consul.

Jacques is a French movie producer and the Consul's childhood friend from their time in England. Their relationship remains deeply strained by an affair Jacques had with Yvonne before her divorce. He views the Consul's suffering as entirely self-inflicted and freely criticizes his former friend's destructive habits, acting as a constant reminder of the past.

Dr. Vigil is a local medical professional in Quauhnahuac who associates socially with the expatriate community. He spends time drinking with the Consul while simultaneously recognizing the severe physical and spiritual toll alcohol takes on his friend, occasionally offering medical advice to manage withdrawal tremors.

Yvonne's father was a former consul in Chile who later attempted to farm pineapples in Hawaii. His slide into dementia and severe alcohol addiction forced a young Yvonne into a Hollywood acting career to support him financially, establishing a pattern of caretaking that defines her adult life.

Mr. Quincey is the Consul's American neighbor. He maintains a pristine, well-kept garden that stands in sharp contrast to the overgrown, neglected state of the Consul's yard.

Concepta is the maid employed at the Consul's residence in Quauhnahuac. She manages the physical upkeep of the household while navigating her employer's highly erratic daily behavior.

Sr. Bustamente owns a local movie theater in town. He interacts with the expatriate community and holds onto a book of Elizabethan plays that Jacques previously borrowed from the Consul.

The pelado is a highly intoxicated passenger on the bus who maintains a surprising level of physical alertness. He opportunistically takes money from a dying man on the side of the road to pay his own bus fare, making no attempt to conceal the theft.

This unnamed Indigenous American man is discovered severely injured beside the road with his hat covering his face, his branded horse tied nearby. His helpless presence forces the bus passengers to confront their own apathy and intense fear of legal involvement.

Mr. Bolowski is a music publisher in London who printed Hugh's early songs. He profited from the printing costs without attempting to promote the music, prompting Hugh to seek petty revenge against him.

She is the wife of Hugh's music publisher in London. Hugh seduced her in a misguided attempt to enact revenge on her husband for failing to promote his songs.

Mrs. Gregorio operates El Bosque, one of the local cantinas the Consul frequents. She offers him gentle philosophical advice about the changing nature of life, leading him to view her with an affectionate, maternal kinship.

Cervantes owns the Salón Ofélia, where the Consul, Yvonne, and Hugh stop for food and drinks. He provides the group with a tour and shares local superstitions with his patrons while serving them coffee.

Diosdado operates the Farolito, a rough establishment in Parían. He holds a stack of old letters from Yvonne that have been circulating and delivers them to the Consul when he arrives to drink.