Bickford Shmeckler’s Cool Ideas

A delusional homeless man who believes The Book can free ‘extra-dimensionals’ inside his head. He extorts Bickford for attention and answers, serving as a cautionary mirror to the power of ideas when left unchecked. His presence unsettles Bickford but also forces him to confront the consequences of his writing becoming public.

A shy, highly intellectual college student who channels his pain and curiosity into a notebook called The Book. His ideas drive his every action, yet he struggles with social pressure, consent, and pursuit of meaning. Over the course of the story he moves from isolation toward connection, learning to balance thought with life.

A free-spirited, impulsive artist who becomes fascinated with The Book and its author. She kisses Bickford and helps translate his ideas into visual art, while grappling with guilt over stealing the notebook. Her relationship with Bickford pushes both to grow beyond their initial boundaries.

A college professor who has read The Book and uses her position to push Bickford toward a publisher. Her involvement hints at the politics of power in academia and the pressure to monetize personal work. The dynamic raises questions about consent, ambition, and the cost of career advancement.

A decisive gatekeeper who becomes the conduit for taking The Book into print. He represents the commercial interest that can shape an author’s work, sometimes without the author’s active consent. His involvement amplifies the story’s tension between artistic integrity and market realities.

Sarah's jealous boyfriend who dismisses The Book and its author, throwing the notebook away in a fit. He embodies the fear of disruption that new ideas can bring to relationships and social circles. His actions catalyze the turning point where The Book gains wider attention.