Sira Quiroga, a young seamstress pushed by fate into a risky compromise in which patterns and fabrics of her profession will become the facade of something much murkier and transcendent.

Ramiro and Sira arrive in Tangier and discover an exotic world of luxury. Ramiro is always drunk and taking Sira’s money, and the two get in a fight.

Commander Vázquez takes Sira to stay with Candelaria, an eccentric woman who’s had problems with the law. Sira won’t eat and stays in bed all day.