1899, the Christmas-time St.Petersburg. Ice-covered rivers and canals of the capital seethe with festive activities. On the eve of the new century those who should not be destined to meet, come together. They are people from different worlds: Matvey, the son of a lamplighter, whose only treasure is his silver-plated skates; Alice is the daughter of a high-ranking official dreaming of science. Each of them has his own difficult life-story, but having accidentally met they rush forward together in pursuit of their dreams.

In a provincial town are waiting for a famous troupe of actors. However, arrived celebrities behave strangely and in preparation for the play with the director arouse suspicion in the "authenticity" arrived ... In the camp of the "actors" his troubles - the only "Prima", whose performance the governor came, himself, runs away with a young hussar to the Gypsies. The evening show, tickets are sold out, and no one to play. On tour to seek "the actress' replacement.

"O. R.U.ZH.I. E "is the abbreviation of the names of friends: O - Oleg, a military pensioner, R - Roman, a scientist, an employee of a research institute, U - Ulyana, a television correspondent, Zh - Zhenya, a physicist, doctor of sciences, I - Igor, entrepreneur, former reporter, husband of Ulyana, E - Egor, laboratory assistant at the provincial research center. Oleg and Roman experience the latest weapons - a rifle with exceptional range and destructive power. The tests are successful, and Oleg is trying to interest the military with these weapons.

Biologist Sergey Losev works as the head of the laboratory at the Research Institute. He has been negotiating with the American Institute for several years, and now he finally receives a long-awaited job offer. But the call comes to Losev with a delay of one and a half months. There are only seven days left before the Board of Trustees, which must approve his candidacy. Sergey calls America and informs them that he will arrive on time. On the eve of leaving for the States, a scientist wants to say goodbye to his parents, and on the way an inattentive lady crashes into his bumper at full speed.