Oton, grows into a young man watching his home town change in the period after 1934, when King Alexander is killed in France, the city is occupied by Italians and then Germans, and finally the arrival of communism. Oton meets many people who are closely involved with the city and its life. Historical events dramatically influence the lives of Oton's first love Marjana, the Italian officer Giorgio, the prostitute Anita, the bad lady Shirley, porter Jaka, and several others characters.