| Michael | Audley | One of the narrator's favorite clients. AKA: Mike Audley. |
| Susan | Burke | The narrator's client. |
| Chester | Carterhook | Patrick and Margaret's son. |
| Margaret | Carterhook | Patrick's wife. |
| Patrick | Carterhook | Department-store magnate. |
| Robert | Carterhook | Patrick and Margaret's son. Troubled boy. |
| Jack | | Susan's 7-year-old son. |
| Miles | | Susan's 15-year-old stepson. |
| Shardelle | | The narrator's colleague. |
| Tony | | The narrator's dad. |
| Viveca | | The narrator's boss in Spiritual Palms. AKA: Jennifer. |
| Wilkie | | The Burkes' old tomcat. |