Two actors and a theater assistant live in modest circumstances in a rented apartment in Budapest. The two men constantly play cards with each other in symbolic stakes, and Béla Bognár's wife, Piri, runs the household. However, the atmosphere is good, and they quote dialogues appropriate to the given situation from the texts of their roles.

Kulinyi, the theatre secretary in Budapest, becomes the director of a rural theatre. He takes with him a talented, budding theatre couple, Gábor Bálint and Éva Pap. He fights a hopeless battle with drunken and jaded actors, undemanding audiences, and demands the release of their untalented relatives with creditors. Finally, tired of failure, all three return to Pest. Kulinyi resumes his post as secretary. Gábor Bálint, out of options, approaches the famous actor Ferenc Tőrös and asks him to let him play the role for one night only, so that he can prove his talent.

An Orthodox rabbi deals with tragedy and a rapidly changing way of life, as secularism becomes the norm.