In the suburban train which takes him to Paris, Bernard Dubois renews his profession of faith: to conquer the capital at all costs and return among his family, wealthy and famous. Warned of the arrival of his friend and of the resolutions he has taken, Yann comes to pick him up at the station and immediately suggests that he commit a hold-up in a pharmacy. Rich in a large stock of amphetamines, which they will resell at a good price, the two accomplices end the day with two girls, vague relations with Yann. There, Bernard suddenly falls in love with Agathe. A few years later, married, father of a little boy named Julien, Bernard wonders about the good use of the inheritance he has just made. Yann advises him to buy a Cadillac and to be driven by a driver. Bernard complied and strutted for a moment before demolishing his sumptuous car with sledgehammers, on the Place de la Concorde, under the bewildered eye of passers-by - The couple now live on a moored barge. Agathe takes care of Julien and Bernard writes his memoirs when he is not sleeping. The scenes where each strikes the other follow the small quarrels at the beginning. In search of absolute happiness, pessimistic because he does not fulfill himself according to his ideal, Bernard refuses to adapt and chooses adventure not to compose.