Two secondary-school friends lead a dead-end life in a decaying industrial city. Their family situation is also far from pleasant. Despite her attempts to lead a normal life, Alessandro's unmarried mother is repeatedly the prisoner of a painful past. And Ferdi lives with his father, a former worker whose factory work has made him ill and who now fills his days with drink. Probably more unconsciously than consciously, both friends try to avoid the unattractive fate that is in store for them. But their attempts seem to be heading for tragedy.