Announcer

As the vibrant ringmaster of the scene, he launches into an exuberant soliloquy, weaving tales of the rose, its petals, and mystical fibers. With theatrical flair, he challenges an unseen audience to ponder the essence of what makes a rose truly a rose.

Candy Vendor

With a sly grin and a pocketful of sweets, he revels in the thrill of the gamble, deftly outsmarting Polo and Tona, and gleefully pocketing their coins when luck falls in his favor.

Female Student

A fellow academic, she watches with a twinge of jealousy as the children take action that resonates far and wide, wishing she too could make such a rippling impact.

First Female Scavenger

Engaging in playful banter with the male scavengers, she skillfully gathers provisions from the derailed train. Yet, a shadow of worry looms as thoughts of police discovery and accusations of theft cross her mind. Later, she joins the revelry with her scavenger companions at the refuse heap.

First Male Scavenger

He implores Tona for coins to quench his thirst, yet soon stumbles upon a treasure trove of food in the train wreckage. He races to spread the word amongst friends and family, and a feast ensues, fueled by the newfound bounty and vibrant camaraderie.

First Professor

With an air of superiority and meticulousness, he dissects events through a Freudian lens, imposing his interpretations on Tona and Polo's actions with unyielding conviction.

Gentleman

Upon catching wind of the news, he shakes his head in disapproval, labeling the children as savages.

Maximino Gonzalez

At nearly twenty-three, Maximino works in a garage, extending a protective hand over Tona and Polo. His generosity is as boundless as his ambition to resurrect an old motorcycle. Despite defending his girlfriend against Tona's jibes, he finds himself swayed by Tona's admiration, though his kindness never falters as he frets over Tona's negative influences in jail.

Lady

Drawn to the allure of sensationalist headlines, she casts a harsh judgment, viewing the impoverished as inherently criminal and beyond redemption.

Male Student

An academic in the throes of discovery, he reads the tale of the train's mishap, deeming it "wild."

The Medium

Cloaked in ever-shedding layers of ethereal garments, the Medium graces the stage with a mere four appearances, each more luminous than the last. Her musings drift far from the central narrative, beginning with a soliloquy on her interconnectedness with the world. She brings forth old scientific illustrations, poetically discussing animals, casting warnings about goldfish, and praising butterflies. Later, she spins a tale of two brothers' dreams, seemingly unrelated yet deeply interwoven into the play's tapestry. In her final act, she draws a conclusion of startling originality, linking the disparate threads into a cohesive whole.

Newsboy

With boundless energy, he bursts onto the stage, hawking the day's headlines. His presence—or mere voice—intermittently punctuates scenes, each time reframing the tale of the derailment. As the play unfolds, his newspapers transform, culminating in ancient parchment inscribed with hieroglyphics when he reveals the deeper truth.

Paca

Tona's sister, Paca, finds herself tasked with babysitting as her mother visits Tona. She observes the event and its media coverage with a trace of amusement and sends a cherished pin to her sister.

Don Pepe

A Spaniard and proprietor of Maximino's workplace, Don Pepe exudes kindness and empathy, allowing Maximino to visit his newly imprisoned friends.

Polo

Much like his friend Tona, fourteen-year-old Polo grapples with the shame of poverty, dreading the school inspections for polished shoes he cannot wear. His ingenuity sees him fending for himself, pulling coins from phone booths, only to lose them in games of chance. Despite his...