Milan arrives in a small town by train at the start of the week. The hotel is closed, but he finds accommodation through a chance meeting with a retired French teacher, Manesquier. The film tells the story of the developing relationship between these apparent opposites, though looming in the background are two important events that each is expecting to take place on the Saturday:  Manesquier is to undergo a triple heart bypass, and Milan is to take part in a bank robbery. Manesquier soon realizes Milan’s intentions, but this does not slow the growing mutual respect that leads to each one envying the other’s lifestyle.