When a journalist is murdered Inspector Micheli begins to investigate. Although someone comes forward to confess to the crime, Micheli doesn't believe he acted alone and keeps investigating despite coming under pressure to close the case.

The young Giovanni, who grew up in the provinces, arrives in Rome with the dream of becoming a famous journalist, but no newspaper is willing to hire him. Waiting for better times, the boy finds a job as a gas station attendant. One day he becomes the victim of an accident with the beautiful Giulia, who runs over him with her car. A relationship will arise between the two but Giovanni, in her naivety, has not yet understood that she works as a luxury prostitute.