George

George is a street person who regularly visits The Clothes Hound, the used clothing store run by Neil and Melanie in Toronto. He wears tweed overcoats and knitted vests that he gets from Melanie, and he uses the store's staff washroom, a privilege Melanie grants to people she knows, especially in winter. Daisy, the teenage protagonist, initially finds George creepy, suspecting him of being a pedophile after a school module on the subject, but Melanie dismisses her concerns, saying he is harmless. George is not a customer; he is one of several non-customers who come and go, including Ada, who picks up clothes for charity, and the Pearl Girls, who distribute brochures.

Role in the Plot

George's most significant contribution comes after the murder of Neil and Melanie. He witnesses the events leading up to the car bomb that kills them. He reports to Ada and Elijah that he saw three men in suits, carrying briefcases, emerge from The Clothes Hound with Neil and Melanie. The couple appeared to be walking as if drunk or asleep, and the men made it look social, as if they were just saying goodbye. The men then put Neil and Melanie into their car, and about one minute later, the car exploded. George's account contradicts the initial assumption that the bomb was planted while the car was unattended, revealing that Neil and Melanie were likely already dead or unconscious before the explosion. This detail confirms that the attack was a targeted assassination by Gilead operatives, not a random act of violence.

Significance

George's testimony is crucial for the Mayday operatives, as it confirms the nature of the threat they face and the methods used by the Eyes. His presence at the scene also puts him at risk; he worries that he may have been seen and that his phone may have been tapped, prompting Ada and Elijah to move Daisy to a new safe house. George's role underscores the vulnerability of ordinary people caught in the conflict between Mayday and Gilead, and his willingness to come forward despite the danger demonstrates the solidarity that exists among those who oppose the regime.