Swindle

Ben is Griffin’s best friend. He is the yin to Griffin’s yang, the voice of reason when Griffin begins his wild plans, and above all else, a loyal friend. Ben admires Griffin’s strength and decisiveness. Several times in the book, the narrative switches to Ben’s point of view, and we see Griffin through Ben’s eyes. A poignant moment of character development for Ben comes at the moment Griffin tell him about his family’s financial difficulties. Before that, Ben did not know that Griffin had any problems, and it puts Griffin’s obsession with the baseball card in perspective for Ben. Ben also keeps a secret from Griffin: Only when they are about to execute their final heist does Ben tell Griffin that he has narcolepsy. Ben’s decision to reveal this secret shows that he trusts Griffin as a fearless leader and true friend. 

Swindle is the novel’s antagonist and a true villain. Greed defines Swindle; he has no compunction about stealing from a child if it means he can make a profit. The descriptions of the action figures and comic books locked inside wired cases in his Emporium symbolize that Swindle sees items that are supposed to bring joy and entertainment as a means of acquiring wealth. Swindle serves an important function in the narrative as an almost unbeatable foe who will test Griffin’s resolve and his moral compass. The main reason that Griffin is not punished for his theft is that Swindle does not want to open himself to investigation for his own potentially criminal acts, thereby allowing Griffin to get away with something that could have had serious consequences. Even though the law does not punish Swindle for swindling Griffin, his business and reputation are ruined, thus taking away the things he values most and creating narrative justice.

Darren is Griffin’s nemesis. The first time we meet Darren, he is poking Griffin with a long stick, calling it the “DumbPick” to make fun of Mr. Bing’s invention. Griffin retorts: “Shut up! […] You’ve always got so much to say, but when it comes to action, you’re nothing!” (44). This statement foreshadows Darren’s most important action, stealing the card from Griffin after they find it in Swindle’s house. Darren proves useful to Griffin’s plan because he can think like Swindle, suggesting that Swindle will open a birthday card addressed to someone else and take the Rangers ticket inside. In a moment of dramatic irony, Darren turns out to be the rightful owner of the baseball card through his relation to the Rockford family. Ben reminds Griffin at the end of the novel that Darren mentioned multiple times that he was related to the Rockfords, but Griffin did not believe him. Darren is the secondary antagonist in the story. He is not trustworthy, but he does not profit from his crimes either. 

Savannah’s defining characteristic is her love for animals. She refers to her family’s animals not as pets but as “equal partners” (64). She can see the good in all animals, including Swindle’s guard dog, Luthor. Paradoxically, Savannah’s loving overtures toward Luthor do not work to tame him. She only tames him after shouting insults at him in frustration. This moment is humorous, and it also keeps Savannah from being a cliché. Like Ben, Savannah doubts the morality of Griffin’s plan. Out of the potential teammates, she is the least swayed by the promise of money. However, after she joins the group she begins to think of the money as her veterinary school tuition. Her change of heart underscores the book’s dilemma of the means justifying the ends.

Pitch’s main characteristics are her fearlessness and ability as a rock climber. She is a reliable team player, and, aside from Griffin, the person who risks the most during the heist. She teaches the rest of the group to climb, and even when she is injured, she climbs a 30-foot tree to rescue Darren. She keeps a cool head during the most chaotic moments of the heist and helps the group succeed. 

Logan starts off as an unlikable character; a child actor with an inflated ego. His devotion to his craft pays off, however, when he is tasked with distracting Eli Mulroney by playing the role of a boy with few friends who wants to make a connection. The joy Logan takes in playing his role reveals him as humorous rather than petty and sympathetic; the “role” he plays is really himself. In Mulroney, Logan finds a kindred spirit. He says: “He’s kind of a wing nut, and you know what? I like him a lot. Maybe I’m a wing nut too” (138). In the end, Logan comes to enjoy spending time with Mulroney and continues to visit him after the robbery has been resolved.