The Bottom of the Bottle

A wealthy attorney and rancher in Nogales who tries to hide his jailbird brother from his social circle. He is protective and pragmatic, balancing appearances with a real sense of family duty. His choices test his loyalty to blood versus his standing among the Cadillac Cowboy crowd.

A former drunkard who has served time for killing in self-defense. He is desperate to reach his wife and children and relies on his brother's help, even as his alcoholism and impulsive acts threaten their safety. His actions drive the central moral conflict of the story.

P.M.'s wife, initially unaware of Donald's existence, who becomes a catalyst for action when she learns the truth. She is practical and resolute, pushing Patrick toward compassion even as social norms press against him. Her influence helps steer the family toward a precarious chance at safety.

A member of the border-town social circle who forms a posse to bring Donald back, embodying the suspicion and enforcement of law in the community. He represents the pushback against crossing lines in the name of order.

A socialite in the Cadillac Cowboy circle who observes the drama around Donald's escape and the ties that bind the town's elite. She reflects the tension between appearance and reality in the community.

A wealthy member of the ranch-set circle and friend of P.M., whose stance and influence illustrate the community’s values and pressures. His presence marks the intersection of wealth, reputation, and family loyalty in the story.

Hal Breckinridge's wife and a member of the border-town social milieu. She represents the larger social ecosystem that frames the protagonists' choices.

A member of the social circle in Nogales who contributes to the town's atmosphere of affluence and propriety. His presence helps underline the tension between respectability and illicit acts.

A member of the cast in the background social fabric, representing the town's various characters who witness the events and reflect the era's values.