Gino Costa, a wandering tramp, stops at a small roadside tavern and gas station run by Giovanna Bragana and her older husband, Giuseppe. Giovanna is disgusted by her husband, having married him only for his money, and is instantly attracted to the younger and more attractive Gino. Giovanna serves Gino a meal, and he leaves without paying for it. Learning of this, Giuseppe chases after Gino, only to find that Gino has no money at all. Gino offers to fix Giuseppe’s vehicle as repayment for the meal. When Giuseppe leaves to pick up a part for the vehicle, Gino and Giovanna confess their feelings to each other and begin an affair. Giuseppe, completely oblivious to the situation, takes a liking to Gino and tells him that he can stay and help out around the tavern. After a few days, Gino tries to convince Giovanna to run away with him. Giovanna initially agrees, but on the way to the train station she changes her mind and refuses to go through with it, so Gino leaves without her.