A Bucket of Blood

Maxwell is a poet who proclaims that life is a homeless traveler on the RTD of art. He embodies the generation X vibe at the Jabberjaw and treats outrageous performances as a badge of cool. His remarks and persona help anchor the cafe scene as a self-conscious artistic space.

Stupid Girl is one of the cafe regulars who uses shock value, stripping nude on stage while playing cello. Her act embodies the provocative, boundary-pushing art that defines the venue. She contributes to the mix of humor and danger that surrounds the performers.

Walter is the ambitious, initially shy busboy who becomes the central figure of the art world at the Jabberjaw. His charm masks a mounting capacity for violence as he repurposes victims into sculpture. His obsession with control and recognition leads to murder, coverups, and a final downfall.

Carla is the Italian hostess at the cafe and Walter's crush. She becomes a focal point in his attempts to impress and win her affection. Her suspicions grow as she discovers the bodies, eventually leading to a critical test of trust and danger.

Lou is an undercover cop trying to bust heroin dealers operating in the cafe. He becomes entangled in the art scene's violence, ultimately confronting Walter with deadly consequences. His pursuit of justice foreshadows the collapse of the Jabberjaw's art world.

Alice is a participant who insults Walter but later becomes part of the dark revelation when her nude body is discovered as a statue. Her death exposes the violence behind the art world. She represents the vulnerable who become casualties in pursuit of fame.

Leonard runs the Jabberjaw hub and discovers the dead cat sculpture. He initially considers calling the police but accepts a money offer to keep the crime secret, illustrating how commerce can corrupt judgment in the art scene. His actions help trigger the story's moral reckoning.

Cuff is one half of the sarcastic photographer duo who mock Walter's work while photographing roadkill. He embodies the merciless, biting humor used to judge art, and his commentary foreshadows a shift in status when the duo ultimately finds success.

Link is the other sarcastic photographer, partnering with Cuff. He shares the duo's sharp wit and skepticism about Walter's talent, and later rides the wave of the art world's commercial breakthrough.

Mayolia performs monologues holding a toy monkey, contributing to the cafe's eclectic lineup. The act adds whimsy while underscoring the cafe's boundary-pushing atmosphere.