Gustavo Pérez de Ayala

Maqroll, Ilona, and Abdul all share a common dream: to sail the world in a tramp-steamer. But who could afford such a thing? Over the years they have become separated. Alone in Panama City, smuggler Maqroll is finding neither great success nor happiness — until the tropical rains come, bringing Ilona: friend, lover, and partner in crime. Abdul, in Morocco, has found a steamer to suit them. In Panama, Ilona and Maqroll begin a new scheme, in search of impossible wealth. But fate has further twists in store.

Amós is a sailor and owner of a ship. He is impatient with the arrival of his uncle who returns from the Soviet Union, after having exiled there after the Civil War. They have no time to meet because the old man unexpectedly dies. Amos knows, thanks to the letters his mother received, that his uncle had a treasure. However, this one is not among the objects that were in the old man's room.

A film director deals with the frustration of not having achieved anything in his life.

On the way to his exile in Lisbon, Mario meets Silvia, a widow who turns out to be one of his admirers. Silvia has inherited a fortune, leading Mario to resume his career, eventually falling for him. Although Mario has relations with her, he makes it clear that will never fall in love. In Madrid, Juan Pepita and resume their relationship, and because of this the jilted Nena John Colman murders before Pepita, after being arrested. Pepita accepts a contract in Argentina, reunited with Mario. There he meets Tulio, who after starting a relationship with singer eventually ask marriage.

A saleswoman gets involved in a meaningless conversation between a military man and a film director.