Barocco

Laure accompanies Samson in a port town as an interview is prepared. A smear campaign tries to bribe Samson into confessing a homosexual relationship with a politician. Laure pushes him to accept the deal, hoping money will secure a better future.

Campaign operatives, backed by gang members, contact the couple and propose a counter-offer: leave the country with a sizable payout. They want them out of the picture rather than reveal the scandal. Laure and Samson hesitate but consider the idea.

Laure returns to her red-light district home. Nelly discovers money hidden in Laure's bag and a heated argument erupts. Jules intervenes, and Laure is allowed to leave only after Jules agrees to escort her to the train station.

At the station, two hired assassins shadow Samson. Laure purchases train tickets and hides the money in lockers, but Samson insists they split up. She waits at a local diner and eventually falls asleep overnight.

The next morning, the killer confronts Laure and demands the money. Samson arrives on a snowy street but is immediately shot by the assassin. He dies as a train approaches the station.

The killer, a brunette who bears Samson's likeness, hides from his former employers and the police as Laure and the investigation unfold. Laure confronts him; he is smitten by her despite his crime. The encounter sets the stage for Laure to remake him.

Walt, editor of the newspaper, and Antoinette, his assistant, start aiding the murder investigation. They push through leads and coordinate with police. Walt even contacts gang leaders and campaign members in a bid to uncover the truth.

The killer hides with Nelly, who runs a show in the red-light district. Nelly senses something is off and later recognizes him from news reports. He seems more interested in shelter and food than in his past crimes.

Antoinette and Walt invite Laure to dinner and they watch a torch singer perform. Laure is deeply moved by the performance. She heads home afterward, with the killer still waiting.

The next morning, Laure confronts the killer again and insists he look like Samson. He agrees, and Laure begins reshaping him into Samson's image. They reaffirm their plan to take the money and flee.

Laure and the killer decide to take the money and escape the city together. They prepare for the journey, choosing a liner to cross the sea.

On election night, as celebrations erupt, the couple attempt to flee on a liner. In the chaos, the gangsters shoot Walt by mistake, not the killer. The scene ends with an uncertain future aboard the ship.