Amid rumors of approaching German troops, a French town goes about its normal business. Without warning, bombing raids start, and tanks begin rolling through town.
7 November 1940. During a film showing, the audience takes advantage of the darkness to boo the handshake between Pétain and Hitler. The French police are called in to find the guilty party.
11 November 1940. With the help of Suzanne, the head of the post office, Marcel launches a campaign to distribute Communist leaflets. Very quickly, Jean is on to them.
Sept. 28, 1941 German cancellations ruin the sawmill. Raymond buys an aryanized concrete firm with a secret loan. Bériot promises to keep Lucienne's secret. Suzanne tells Marcel her secret. Marceau extracts Gustave's secret with chocolate.
Oct. 17, 1941. Larcher Père, on his deathbed, insults Marcel and praises Daniel. The Communists are restive about the new party line to kill German officers. Gustave has a new Jewish classmate. Caberni delivers an ultimatum to Raymond.