Warsaw, 1943: to escape the ghetto uprising, Alek and Fryda are finding their way through the sewers. He is 27, she is barely 20. In fleeing, they are trying to save not only their lives but also a few negatives that were handed over to Alek, the only witness to survive this brutal massacre. They emerge into an "Aryan" part of the city. Alek tells Fryda to take refuge in a church and to wait for him there while, under cover of dark, he can find a safe hiding place. He gets to the building where he hopes to find a friend that might shelter them. The building has been taken over by the German military. Out steps Stephania, who offers Alek her hospitality. Around 40 years old, she is still attractive. Seduced, Alek ends up spending the night with her. The next day, Alek asks his hostess if she will put up his "little sister". Stephania gladly accepts, and she herself goes out to look for the young woman, greeting Fryda with open arms...