Single Room Furnished

A woman who repeatedly sheds and adopts new identities to survive and pursue potentially better lives. Her path—from a married woman to Mae, then to Eileen—highlights the costs and resilience involved in reinventing oneself. She remains guarded, using appearance and wit to navigate a judgmental world.

The building’s janitor who serves as the informal storyteller. He bridges past and present with a patient, observant nature, guiding Maria through the multi-generational tales. His narration reveals the community’s anxieties, hopes, and unspoken truths.

A young woman torn between family expectations and her own feelings. She absorbs the stories of Mae/Eileen, weighing what it means to live with stigma and desire in a strict social circle. Her reactions reflect a search for identity beyond her upbringing.

Johnnie’s husband who leaves her and their unborn child in pursuit of Navy life and a more exciting future. His departure anchors the family’s heartbreak and fuels the legend of Mae/Eileen’s past. His choices illustrate the pull between opportunity and obligation.

Charley’s wife who becomes pregnant after Mae’s story intersects with her own life. Flo represents a new generation facing similar choices and the consequences of past decisions. She reveals Mae’s path and embodies the continuation of the cycle Mae began.

Flo’s partner who wrestles with whether to marry Mae out of pity or genuine feeling. His sense of responsibility clashes with the impulsive past of Mae, leading to a difficult but compassionate resolution.

Eileen’s lover who yearns to marry her despite her past. His possessive tenderness culminates in a tragic ending when he cannot bring himself to shoot her and instead takes his own life. His actions underscore the dangerous costs of longing and attachment.