December 1999. For six years now, residents of Parada 88 have lived in plastic tunnels which connect homes and local businesses and protect them from the lethal gas that contaminated the region after a factory explosion. Joaquim Porfírio, a former factory worker, who supports his wife Maria and teenage daughter Ana - blinded by the accident - and survives by small means, has no money to pay the air bill, and its supply can be cut off at any time. He then decides to take part in a draw promoted by Boca, the owner of the local cabaret, that will reward the winner with groceries and air quotas, on the condition that the chosen one will have to leave the tunnels to get news of an expedition prepared at the Capital to eliminate the gas leak. Joaquim is drawn but collapse when he finds the entourage. Meanwhile, his home is invaded by air tax collectors whose violent leader rapes Ana. After a delicate and successful surgical intervention, and with new artificial lungs, Joaquim returns to the city and announces the return of the entourage. However, back at home, he finds out what happened to Ana and arms himself for revenge.