Prof. Henri Laborit uses the stories of the lives of three people to discuss behaviorist theories of survival, combat, rewards and punishment, and anxiety. René is a technical manager at a textile factory and must face the anxiety caused by corporate downsizing. Janine is a self-educated actress/stylist who learns that the wife of her lover is dying and must decide to let them reunite. Jean is a controversial career-climbing writer/politician at a crossroads in life.
A plumber finally meets the woman of his dreams. But as her uptight family tries to keep him away, he wins the lottery and starts plotting his revenge.
Raymonde Chandebise suspects her husband Victor-Emmanuel of cheating on her. Her best friend advises her to find out for sure and to use a stratagem. Both of them send him a false letter, written by a beautiful stranger, giving him an appointment at the "Minet Galant"! But they are completely unaware that the hotel's waiter, a simpleton, is a look-alike of poor Victor-Emmanuel!
