In a big hotel, an international conference is being held and pressing social issues are being debated. In a reception room next to the conference room, a serious, rather officious maître d'hôtel is orchestrating the preparation of the buffet which will follow the general assembly. Just as the organizer of the event is about to give her welcome speech, she realizes that her son has secretly followed her there. She doesn't have time to look after him, so she leaves him in the care of the maître d'. Thrown together despite themselves, the maître d' and the child will get to know each other and their dealings will fluctuate between war and reconciliation. What can two such different people possibly have in common?

« SEBASTIAN: No. I don't feel like playing anymore. I want to talk. / ERNEST: Oh, I see. Then... let's talk. / SEBASTIAN: What do you think about Hiroshima? / ERNEST: Hiroshima? Well... (surprised) Do you mean the bomb? / SEBASTIAN: Yes. / ERNEST: That's a very serious subject for a young man like you. / SEBASTIAN: It's a serious subject for old men too. »