Marcelino, a country bumpkin, comes from the countryside to try his luck in Rio de Janeiro. His uncle Simão, a taxi driver and resident of a favela with Sofia, comes to greet him at the train station. A neighbor, Tereza, takes an interest in the newcomer. At the pier, the criminal Zé receives a package and is pursued by police. Mira Diler performs at the Caverna nightclub. In her dressing room, the criminal Zé is found, injured and without the package. Valentino complains about the police action that is disrupting his "business." Marcelino still hasn't found work; at the same time, he tries unsuccessfully to sell his compositions. He begins helping his uncle as a driver, but puts his own worries first: he goes to the nightclub looking for Mira, but finds himself caught up in Valentino's schemes.
