In Civitanova, on the Adriatic, four young friends have always come together to spend the end of the year in a family hotel. Matteo is the only one lucky because he could have a secure future in the hotel that the faithful housewife Annetta maintains in an enviable order. Luca, who has perfected his studies in Florence, tends to literature and has already written a book of imminent publication. Andrea is a good mechanic but, in addition to having to find work, he is about to leave in search of his father who, having traveled to Africa, has no more news of himself. Saro, with a virtually useless diploma in his pocket, tries to hide his material concerns by animating dialogues and launching himself into sentimental adventures and playful jokes. Peppino, the friend barman, willingly accepts the jokes of the four boys and responds by offering pills of wisdom, fruit of experience and maturity.