He finds himself, with a Sergeant Castagnoli, in charge of a lorry containing twelve prostitutes who he has to deliver up country to various military establishments.

Martino fancies the forthright Eftichia, who has strong views on life, but in the event is approached by the gentle Elenitza who seeks no trouble.

Next morning a lorry full of Blackshirts passes and their leader, a hero of the war in Spain, asks for one of the girls.

After dark, carrying Castagnoli, what is left of the group staggers over the mountains and arrives at a village which is being emptied and burned by Blackshirts, who Alessi joins up with.

In the end, Martino is able to get Castagnoli into a military hospital, where Ebe makes sure he is comfortable, and to deliver the few prostitutes he has left.