Tamara and Sasha were separated during the war. Now (1957) Sasha is visiting Moscow for five days and by chance recognizes the house where Tamara used to live. She is still living there with her nephew Slava.

On an autumn evening, Ilyin, who has arrived in the city for several days and is visiting a familiar girl Zoya, suddenly notices a familiar house from the window. In this house, 18 years ago, even before the war, he rented a room from one woman. He leaves Zoya (for fifteen minutes, it seems to him) to find out if the woman still lives there. In the communal apartment where he comes, his old friend Tamara really still lives. She greets Ilyin coldly, but offers to stay for a few days in the second room.—Tango Papa