Vincenzo Persico is one of those young people who cannot gain a foothold in society. Six years after having graduated with a diploma in literature he still lives modestly with his mother. Frustation and insecurity gradually rob him of his identity, until an elderly neighbour, obsessed by his senile desire for the beautiful wife of a baker, promises Vincenzo an enticing end to this worthless existence, on condition that he help him bump off his wealthy and unwieldy wife. When she is found dead Vincenzo is immediately arrested. He slavishly but stubbornly denies it. Is he really guilty, or has he thrown in the towel ? In any case, life within prison walls doesn't seem half as tough as did his everyday life on the outside....