The Jackpot

A department-store employee with a solid family life who is overwhelmed by sudden prizes and the ensuing tax troubles. His integrity is tested as he navigates temptation, legal trouble, and professional upheaval, ultimately returning to normal with renewed stability.

Bill's wife, who suspects infidelity due to the mystery around his winnings. She embodies domestic stability but wrestles with jealousy and concern about appearances, shaping the marital tension of the story.

Bill and Amy's daughter; a quieter presence in the upheaval, reflecting the impact of parental misadventures on the family and serving as a link to the domestic sphere.

A reporter who helps verify Bill's identity and provides practical support. His involvement adds a sense of urban realism and investigative humor to a domestic crisis.

A Greenwich Village artist linked to the prize portrait, whose presence sparks jealousy and romantic tension. She represents the allure and potential danger of glamorous distractions.

Bill's boss at the department store who initially fires him for failing to raise cash, then rehiring him after the legal/financial comedies resolve. He embodies corporate authority and turnover.