HE is called Charles. A young man from Marseille, now living in Paris, who is pathologically secretive, insomniac, hypochondriac, a loner and self-centered, yet gifted with a rare ability to listen and sympathize. Charles is automatically assigned to look after Monsieur Smith, a friend's dog. His enforced walks enable him to see the city anew, from a human—or rather, a canine—perspective. One day, his path crosses a woman's winged steps. Charles immediately realizes that SHE is the love of his life, since just two minutes of her soothing presence enables him to fall asleep. Charles desperately tries to find her again, but his quest proves difficult. Everyone who might have come across the stranger apparently has no recollection of her.