A road-building team is forced to stay idle for a couple of days since the asphalt has not been delivered.
The unlikely friendship between a 10-year-old boy, Leonid, recovering from a broken arm in a hospital, and a young, paraplegic actor. As the actor, disillusioned with life, struggles with his condition, he begins to tell Leonid an elaborate and adventurous pirate story. Their shared fantasy world, in which they play the main roles, gradually intertwines with the realities of their hospital life.
Gallows is being raised in a prison yard. A moment before the execution the Girl brings a document of the young communist's temporary pardon. The chief of the prison, the Major, has a mandolin collection. He offers a fistfight to the young communist. The young man hits him. The Major and the young communist start playing the mandolins together. Girl is allowed to meet the young communist. The boy begins to play. The melody brings to the Major pleasant memories. He fought in the Spanish civil war, but after the defeat, he turned back on his beliefs. The Major receives a telegram that he needs to send the young communist to another prison. Death awaits him there. In is rage the Major breaks the mandolins. He orders the young communist to be taken out to work. The young man runs off. The Major shoots him himself.
