Pietro Chiocca (Alberto Sordi) is an Italian retailer, who sells hydraulic pumps.

He realizes he will make money only if he starts selling weapons to poor Third World countries.

Pietro goes about it with dedication, enjoying the challenge of outsmarting his rivals and resorting to any tactics, no matter how immoral, to secure his dealings.

During a business deal, Pietro is exposed more directly to the consequences of his weapons sales.

However, when he explains them that he's ready to abandon the arms dealing business and go back to a less questionable but also less remunerative job, which will leave them poorer, none of them is willing to return to a more modest lifestyle.