20-year-old René Martin is a trainee clerk at a Place Blanche supermarket in Paris's 9th arrondissement. Monsieur Maurice, the head clerk, took him in from an orphanage to train him, like the father René never knew. René is obsessed with his dream of becoming a great blues guitarist. This music brings him real joy, just like Nathalie's smile. Nathalie is a young accountant and René's madly in love with her.