One fine morning, the stoker of an ancient stokehouse in Moscow woke up with a hangover, found a hefty black raven on his window, which turned out to be talking and boozing.

The city of the beginning of the century with recognizable features of Saratov is immersed in summer heat and desolation. A young hunchback receives a letter from a stranger with an explanation of love and a request for a meeting. Having come on a date and seeing a hunchback in front of him, he leaves...