One couple he is upset by are Ignazio and Maria who, despite his efforts to reconcile them, are breaking up. When they are both murdered, the police inspector arrests Michele as a suspect, but he is freed when Bianca gives him a false alibi. He then breaks with Bianca, telling her it is better to part while they are happy and, once on his own, his already fragile mental equilibrium crumbles. The film ends with his rambling confession to the patient inspector over how the dead neighbour and friends had disappointed him and upset his need for order in life.