In a remote Siberian village, a young waitress’s quiet love for a local investigator ignites jealousy and betrayal, leading to a dark and tragic confrontation.

Pavel, the son of a village cafeteria worker named Anna, is deeply infatuated with Valentina and becomes enraged upon discovering her feelings for Shamanov.

Shamanov, planning to meet Valentina that evening, entrusts a note for her to Zinaida, the village pharmacist who secretly loves him.

Searching for her in vain, Shamanov eventually returns to find Valentina visibly shaken and distressed, having suffered abuse at Pavel's hands.

The next morning, Valentina returns to work, bearing visible bruises, silently enduring the aftermath of the previous night.