Keep them in room -1, which is sorta like the void of the action games, and when you need 'em, just move them with the character[CHARID].room function.
Like:
character[BOB].room = 3;
character[ROB].room = 3;
character[DON].room = 3;
character[JON.room = 3;
character[MACY].room = 3;
if you need Bob, Rob, Don, Jon and Macy in room 3.
Like:
character[BOB].room = 3;
character[ROB].room = 3;
character[DON].room = 3;
character[JON.room = 3;
character[MACY].room = 3;
if you need Bob, Rob, Don, Jon and Macy in room 3.