The events take place in 1937. Nikolai Zotov suddenly learns that he, the chief engineer of a large capital factory, is about to be arrested. He is convinced that he is not involved in what he is accused of and intends to defend his innocence. He sees what has happened as a provocation. But his wife, Lyudmila, thinks differently. She is certain that her husband has done nothing wrong. However, she has heard too often that people have disappeared without a trace. Lyudmila convinces her husband to flee.