A typical small square in Naples: the buildings around are entangled with one another and stand as an uneven surface. They look as if they are melted together and form a succession of staircases, buttress, balustrades and balconies.
It is night.
Between two blocks of buildings there is the view over the harbour, the sky is dotted by billions of tiny lights.
It is not clear whether is a real view or if it is the backdrop of a stage, as part of the scenery.
Everything is dark and deserted, except for a kiosk next to a small table selling cigarettes, and an old and quite decadent stage, like those used for public speeches.
The night begins for Donna Vincenza, the kiosk owner, and Peppino the man who sells the cigarettes.
A night spent waiting for customers, filled by arguments for trivial reasons, followed by sudden reconciliation.
The two people's attitude is in deep contrast with the environment around them.
There is no tragedy in their words, the conversation is ironical and sometimes becomes absurd yet bitterly comical.