The Chief of Police

The Chief of Police epitomizes the quintessential bureaucrat, finding himself in a state of despair when the last political prisoner in his jurisdiction reforms, necessitating release. This realization strikes a blow to his sense of purpose, prompting him to question the Prisoner's sincerity and attempt to dissuade him from leaving the confines of prison. When these efforts prove futile, the Chief devises an alternative plan to retain his position: he persuades his deputy, the Sergeant, to act as a dissenter, thus ensuring the perceived need for their roles. However, his predicament deepens when the General comes to assess the new prisoner. The Chief is caught in the web of protecting the Sergeant, who he believes is not a true political prisoner, while maintaining an appearance of zealous justice.

The Prisoner

Once a revolutionary, the Prisoner now claims a transformation in allegiance, professing love for the country and its leaders. His arguments are convincing enough to secure him the role of the General's aide-de-camp. Returning to the prison, he is tasked with verifying the Sergeant’s dissidence. Despite recognizing the Sergeant as a genuine dissenter, he is challenged by the Chief to substantiate this claim. He proposes a test by giving the Sergeant the opportunity to attack the General with a bomb, which the Sergeant does. In a turn of events, the Chief arrests the Prisoner for conspiring in the attempted bombing, only for the Prisoner to retaliate by arresting the Chief for failing to safeguard the General.

The Police Sergeant

As an agent-provocateur, the Police Sergeant despises his plainclothes duties, longing for the comfort of his uniform which represents his love for the force. Despite his provocations yielding no dissent, his dedication compels him to don his uniform at home for solace. When faced with the possibility of losing his beloved job, he agrees to the Chief’s plan and begins to simulate dissent. This leads to an identity crisis within himself, as he oscillates between being a policeman pretending to dissent and becoming a genuine dissenter. His incarceration only strengthens his political doubts, and although he professes no intention to harm the General, he ultimately takes the opportunity to throw the bomb, emerging as a revolutionary by play’s end.

The General

The General embodies the authoritative military persona, and upon visiting the Sergeant in prison, he evaluates the threat level, concluding that the absence of evidence makes the Sergeant especially dangerous. He trusts his aide, the Prisoner, believing in his reformation. Accusations fly during discussions with the Chief, suspecting the latter’s intent to shield the Sergeant, which leads the General to agree to the bomb-throwing experiment. However, his caution is evident as he opts to hide during the act. Afterward, asserting control, the General arrests both the Prisoner and the Chief for their roles in the conspiracy.

The Wife of the Sergeant-Provocateur

The Wife of the Sergeant-Provocateur symbolizes the unthinking citizenry, expressing her concerns to the Chief about her husband's deteriorating mental state due to his lack of success in instigating dissent. Her plea to return him to his uniform reflects her understanding of his passion for the police work. She narrates how their relationship began under the shadow of suspicion, as they initially reported each other to the secret police, highlighting their shared history within the system they serve.