Pauline Oswald is 50 years old and has three daughters with her husband Robert. Now, after almost 30 years of marriage, they are about to divorce. This marks the start of a completely new life for Pauline. Until now, she has only worked as a mother and housewife, while her husband Robert, an academic, brought home the salary. Pauline later meets the cheerful and resolute Wally, who works as a brigade leader in a large laundry. A friendship develops between the two women, and Wally helps Pauline to continue on her path to a self-determined life.