Bartleby

An unnamed manager of a public records office who loves order but is increasingly threatened by Bartleby’s passive defiance. He initially hires Bartleby to meet rising workloads, then wrestles with how to reconcile duty, reputation, and compassion. His efforts to reason with Bartleby evolve into a cautious manipulation as he moves his operation to a new building to sidestep the problem. The Boss ultimately confronts the limits of authority and the consequences of neglecting human need.

An enigmatic newcomer whose efficiency early on sinks into a chilling refusal to perform any tasks beyond his narrow filing job. His quiet demeanor and habit of staring at the vent become symbolic of withdrawal from a world that cannot accommodate him. Bartleby’s later life in the office and then on the street exposes a fragile identity shaped by precarity and indifference. His ultimate fate underscores a critique of modern work culture.

An overweight and neurotic staff member whose clumsy, anxious nature provides a contrasting foible to Bartleby’s reserve. Ernest is part of the office dynamic, contributing to the office’s humor and tension. His presence helps illustrate how a quirky, imperfect team responds to an uncooperative coworker. He embodies the imperfect humanity that bureaucracies often overlook.

A staff member who dresses and acts like a stereotypical mobster, adding a colorful edge to the office atmosphere. Rocky’s persona heightens the sense of danger and absurdity within the workplace. He participates in the office’s social dynamics, illustrating how power performances shape group behavior. His presence sharpens the tonal contrast between masculine swagger and quiet defiance.

The verbose, flirtatious, and bluntly honest receptionist who navigates office conversations with an unfiltered voice. Vivian’s candor makes the workplace feel alive and sometimes abrasive, reflecting the reality of office politics. She serves as a chorus to the unfolding drama, commenting on Bartleby and the Boss with a sharp wit. Her presence reveals how communication can both empower and complicate professional relationships.

The new owner of the old office and the Boss’s former landlord, who later confronts the Boss about Bartleby's presence. This character represents external pressure from owners and stakeholders who demand quick, tangible results. Their arrival underscores the financial and reputational stakes tied to Bartleby’s inexplicable stubbornness. The interaction heightens the sense of institutional consequences outside the office walls.

A chef at a nearby soup kitchen who is unsympathetic to Bartleby’s plight, illustrating the harsh realities of poverty and hunger. The cook’s indifference intensifies the Boss’s sense of failure and the fragility of human care in the system. This character embodies the cold pragmatism that can pervade social safety nets. The scene at the soup kitchen frames Bartleby’s death as a stark indictment of neglect.