Based on the novel of the same name by Daniil Granin. Engineer Chizhegov often travels on business to a small town, where he meets a woman who reciprocates his feelings. The protagonist faces a difficult problem: he is married, and his family lives in Leningrad. Unable to make a final decision and afraid of losing his beloved, he commits a despicable act. His remorse comes too late—Chizhegov loses the woman who was truly dear to him forever.

A life of a driver Stephan Chekmenev turns out to be very lucky: healthy children, loving wife, solid loghouse. But once his fellow-villager perishes in a forest. And Chekmenev, considering himself to be the one to blame, in expectation of an imminent retribution, tries to understand: why and when did he, once having so many friends, become so indifferent towards other peoples lives.