Pedro himself lives in a modest boarding house run by a military widow and her daughter Dora, who also has a vivacious daughter, Dorita. The owner of the boarding house tries to encourage the doctor to fall in love with his granddaughter, Dorita, so that his medical career may release them all from a life of squalor and penury. During her birthday reunion, Dorita clearly shows Pedro that she is interested in him. Pedro and his rich friend Matías discuss literature and painting in a café and later they go out for a night of heavy partying in a house of prostitution in which Matías gets involves with a prostitute that closely resembles his own mother. Returning to his boarding house, Pedro goes to Dorita's bed. He excuses himself for being drunk, but she welcomes his advances and they make love, starting a relationship.