The story is set in Rome in 1900. In a seedy area of the city, Nino Patroni seeks to marry a fellow rogue with his sister.

At the end of 1900s Saturnino Cavallo leaves his family to emigrate to America, in search of fortune.

Rome, 1800. Rugantino is a fool in love that rages eternal, though he is very unlucky in love stories and fruitful occasions.