30s

Female

White | Confident, performative, and eager to be seen as culturally open-minded, Michelle thrives on social validation. She is deeply invested in appearing progressive, but her understanding of other cultures remains surface-level. She believes she is making meaningful connections, but her well-intentioned actions often come across as tone-deaf. She earnestly longs to become a mother, but knowing she will never experience pregnancy herself, beneath this longing lies a quiet fear— that she may struggle to connect with a child who doesn’t look like her.

30s

Male

White | Easygoing, kind-hearted, and conflict-averse, Ben has spent his life sidestepping discomfort rather than confronting hard truths. Raised in privilege, he assumes good intentions are enough, often missing how his gestures can come across as out of touch. He admires Michelle’s confidence and determination, letting her take the lead out of love and a desire to be a good husband. But when faced with a moment of cultural discomfort, he’s caught between embarrassment and unease—earnest and awkward, he convinces himself the only way out is through.

30s

Female

Asian | With a heart full of kindness and a listening ear, Lynn has the rare gift of making others feel truly seen and heard. The challenges of her ongoing immigration process to Canada have shaped her into someone incredibly resilient and sharp, with a deep awareness of the world’s complex systems and inequalities. What Chris values most about her is her how she’s always ready to offer support. Smart, perceptive, and quietly strong, Lynn tends to avoid confrontation in social situations—particularly with Michelle and Ben—favouring compassion and politeness, sometimes at the expense of her own boundaries. *Must be able to say a couple of lines in Cantonese.

30s

Male

BIPOC / Mixed-Race | Pragmatic and level-headed, Chris has a low tolerance for bullshit. Distracted by his mother’s emergency, he is only half-present at brunch, making Michelle and Ben’s news feel even more disconnected from his reality. His responses are measured, but what he says, he means. A steadfast, committed partner to Lynn, he believes in healthy communication and mutual respect. Being non-White has honed his social instincts, making him sharp and alert to any hint of condescension.

20s

Male

Asian | A minor but significant character, the server represents the often-overlooked presence of real cultural authority in these situations. His neutral but subtly resistant responses to Michelle’s requests, along with his polite but detached demeanour, underscore the broader themes of performativity vs. authenticity. *Must be able to say a couple of lines in Cantonese.