John - Late thirties
John, a father in late thirties, navigates life marked by a challenging past, including an early parenthood and losing his wife last year. He always looks dishoveled with messy hair and bags under his eyes. He clings to his weekly nature outings with his son, Julien, as a temporary escape and a means to maintain a crucial bond. His primary goal is to share these moments of respite with Julien, seeking solace in the belief that they can restore some balance to his tumultuous mind.
However, John's deep-seated fears of losing himself and his loved ones lead him to make risky decisions, often putting both himself and Julien in danger. His major flaw is a profound selfishness, which skews his judgment and actions, risking their safety in his pursuit of an elusive oasis he believes will solve his problems. This flaw is balanced by his strength in treating Julien as an equal, which ironically enables Julien to save him from his own misguided adventures.
John's relationship with Julien is central to his life; it evolves as Julien starts to see his father's vulnerabilities. Despite his challenges, John's love for his son drives him toward a realization of his need for help.