The Overcoat

A modest town clerk whose dignity is crushed by neglect and class prejudice. His life changes after purchasing a luxurious coat, briefly elevating his status, only to be violently humbled when the garment is stolen. His arc moves from quiet resilience to a tragic, ghostly indictment of a community that spurns humanity.

An ambitious, corrupt politician who presides over the town with contempt for the common people. His world revolves around appearances, private deals, and public ceremonies. The meeting with Carmine’s apparition forces a painful confrontation with guilt and accountability.

A bureaucratic figure who embodies cold administration and self-interest. He upholds the status quo by prioritizing productivity and prestige over human consequences, contributing to the town’s moral decay.

The mayor’s mistress, a symbol of glamour and moral ambiguity. Her presence underscores the town’s complicity and the personal costs of political corruption.

A perceptive observer of social dynamics who embodies the intimate, everyday reality of a town under strain. Her interactions hint at how ordinary people navigate power and poverty.

A young woman tied to the center of power, her life intersects with Carmine’s misfortunes and the municipal moral tensions. She represents how familial and political ties shape the town.

A skilled craftsman who creates the transformative coat, fueling Carmine’s brief ascent. He takes pride in his work and profits, unaware of the deeper moral costs his act triggers for the wearer and the town.