The film tells the story of Ewa, a young and ambitious architecture graduate entering the world of professional competition and emotional games. It also offers an interesting take on the master-pupil relationship and its transformation from absolute fascination to disappointment and contempt.
Ewa Orzechowska is a talented architecture graduate. Hungry for professional success, she starts working with renowned and accomplished architect Jerzy, who is designing a Maritime Museum. His closest friend is Maria, who is also his lover. Ewa moves to the architect's villa, where she starts living with his wife Bożena and Maria. The arrival of a new, young woman causes Maria to feel threatened, while Bożena tries to make friends with her. The relations between the three women become increasingly complicated. Jerzy turns out to be a heavy drinker. Ewa devotes herself to the project. Meanwhile, the authorities of Gdańsk decide to abandon it. Disappointed, Ewa organises a protest and gets other architects from Jerzy's design studio on board. In an attempt to diffuse the tension, Jerzy throws a party for everyone in his villa. During the party, drunk Maria teases the male guests. Unfortunately, her provocative behaviour fails to attract their attention, which drives her to a suicide attempt. Ewa saves her from drowning. Jerzy shows no sign of sympathy for Maria. The two women's shared fascination with him seems to be waning. In the morning, Ewa returns to her room, where Jerzy tries to brutally rape her. He stops when Bożena enters the room. The women decide to leave the architect and his villa. However, only Ewa gets on the train; Maria and Bożena choose to stay.
