A new construction manager, Zaitsev, arrives in a small town. Two of his former comrades from the Red Army work here: Glinka, the director of the paper factory, and Latsis, the head of the timber rafting operation. Zaitsev advocates for the rapid expansion of the paper factory and surrounds himself with a group of opportunists. However, despite their long-standing friendship, after a series of revelations, he is forced to leave the town.