Well, first off there's the car salesman. He's a desperate man, probably in some financial trouble or just greedy, who decides to do this awful thing. Then the two criminals he hires are key. One is more impulsive and violent, and the other is just as bad but in a more subdued way. The wife is an important character too. She's the target of the 'kidnapping' even though she has no idea what her husband is up to. And the father - in - law, who has the money, is an unwitting part of this whole sordid plan. Their interactions and the consequences of their actions are what make up the story.
In the 'Fargo 1996 real story', there's the car salesman. He's the one with the crazy idea to fake his wife's kidnapping. Then there are the two thugs he gets involved. One is more of a loose cannon, while the other is just along for the ride. His wife is kind of an innocent bystander in his scheme. And the father - in - law is the one who has the money that the salesman is so desperate to get his hands on. Each character has their own motives and flaws which drive the story forward.