Nancy

Nancy is a middle-aged woman of affluence who possesses an unbounded zest for life, adventure, and romance. Fully aware of the years she devoted to raising her family, she now views her future with optimism, determined to embrace every opportunity life offers. Nancy prefers the freedom of wandering from beach to beach over the restrictive atmosphere of a retirement home. Her adventurous spirit often puts her at odds with her husband, Charlie, as he displays little interest in joining her in various activities. Despite employing tactics such as cajolery, mockery, and anger, Nancy struggles to rouse him from his passive state. An exciting opportunity unfolds with the arrival of Leslie and Sarah, two anthropomorphic sea creatures, allowing Nancy to impart her natural curiosity, high spirits, and empathy. Eagerly, she enlightens them about the complexities of the human experience.

Charlie

Charlie, Nancy’s retired husband, stands as her opposite, resistant to change and uninterested in adventure. His tendency toward isolation has been a constant theme in his life, vividly reflected in childhood memories where he found solace at the sea's bottom. Now, as he faces his mortality, Charlie clings to a lifestyle marked by inactivity, seemingly waiting for the end. His self-imposed detachment is disrupted by the unexpected appearance of Leslie and Sarah. Initially reacting with fear and readiness to defend, Charlie undergoes a significant transformation by the play’s end. Interacting with the reptiles revives his zest for life, leading him to become a lively, compassionate, and engaged individual. Ultimately, he joins Nancy in the rewarding mission of teaching the childlike creatures how to adapt to human society.

Leslie

Leslie is a male lizard with human-like traits who astonishingly communicates in fluent English and has a grasp of metaphysical concepts. Initially wary of strangers, much like Charlie, Leslie is driven by dissatisfaction with stagnation and ventures ashore to explore new possibilities. He represents early humanity, possessing primal instincts yet lacking self-awareness and an understanding of loss or mortality. Through interactions with humans, particularly when Charlie incites Sarah to tears, Leslie experiences a profound emotional response for the first time. His rage signifies a pivotal transition from a mere beast to a more human-like creature. This newfound understanding compels Leslie, like Charlie once did, to forsake the serene depths of the ocean and continue life’s journey on land, embracing the evolutionary path.

Sarah

Sarah, Leslie’s reptilian partner, shares his unease with life in the sea and a yearning for improvement, though she lacks his cynicism. More akin to Nancy in her openness and eagerness to learn, Sarah is candid and keen to exchange experiences. Although at times she humorously mirrors the archetype of a controlling wife, Sarah remains kind, gentle, and more childlike than Leslie. Her acute sensitivity becomes evident when, prompted by Charlie about Leslie’s potential disappearance, she first experiences human emotion. Her tears inspire Leslie’s anger, propelling them both toward humanity’s fundamental evolutionary leap: the journey toward self-awareness and understanding.