In the Brezhnev’s period of stagnation, superiors decided to promote Nikolay Shumilin to the second secretary of a district committee. More than rosy perspectives open up for him, so he goes for a party with his colleagues, as it is common there with alcohol and women of easy virtue. But an unexpected thing happens – someone stole a sports contest cup and a banner at night, right before a district inspection. Nikolay is trying to find a loss because he understands that his careless life can be ruined like a card house. Shumilin’s career hangs by a hair.