Beans is a kid who bullies Palmer, and tries to get him to kill his pigeon.

They help Palmer take care of the pigeon, even when the father is a winner of the pigeon hunting contest.

She is Palmer's friend and she teaches him to stand up for himself by her actions.

The ping is the Damsel in Distress because of the events taking place, and how Palmer kind of saves it during that time.

It is the setting for the story.