On the Right Track

A 10-year-old orphan shoeshine boy living in a locker at Union Station. He navigates life with surprising resourcefulness, builds bonds with the station staff, and fears being labeled a delinquent. His care for Mary the Bag Lady reveals a compassionate side despite his precarious living situation.

An arcade repair technician who becomes a mentor and ally to Lester. She helps him cope with life at the station while navigating her own feelings for Frank. Her concern for Lester’s welfare clashes with her skepticism about the adults around him.

A businessman who initially flirts with Jill and sees Lester’s lottery-like talent as a tool for money. He gambles and plots to profit, but gradually contemplates using his wealth to help Lester. His arc moves from self-interest toward genuine commitment to the boy.

A homeless bag lady whom Lester cares for by giving her money. She embodies vulnerability within the station and represents a counterpoint to the bustling commerce around her. Her presence humanizes the station’s underbelly and the boy’s kindness.

The city’s mayor who seeks to leverage Lester’s talent for a grand deal, proposing a million-dollar promise for the city and questioning how the funds will be used. His approach highlights political theater and the tension between public needs and private interests.

Owner of the station’s pizzeria, Sam makes sure Lester is fed and looked after. He represents the station’s kindly, steady presence and the informal networks that sustain the boy.

In charge of the station’s health club, he ensures Lester is bathed and cared for. He symbolizes the practical protection offered by staff who keep the station functional and safe for vulnerable people.

The concessioner who first calls juvenile services about Lester’s living situation, setting the chase in motion. He is a business-minded figure whose actions spur the plot and reflect the station’s rough edges.