He quickly runs into trouble with Don Antonio Locoratolo, the local quack who prescribes dubious cures and potions to the naïve and superstitious populace.

The mayor's sister, Mafalda, is pining after her fiancé, Corrado, who was last heard from 15 years ago, and is presumed to have been lost fighting in Russia on the Eastern Front.

For years, Don Antonio has been using fraudulent fortune-telling techniques to tell her that Corrado is still alive, as she pays well for each session, even though he desires her for himself.

Meanwhile, Dr. Marchetti goes to the police to seek justice over the supposed "poisoning" and Mafalda's denouncement of Don Antonio, but the charges do not stick.

Despondent, she takes an overdose of barbiturates, forcing Don Antonio to publicly seek the doctor's help to save his niece's life.