Escala en la ciudad

Jaime Lara leaves his wife on board when his ship stops in Buenos Aires for a day, and he spends the night wandering the city. In this nocturnal stroll he meets Isa, a beautiful yet frivolous hooker who immediately intrigues him. The encounter seeds a dangerous, impulsive romance.

Jaime and Isa visit a bar and later go to her apartment, sharing conversation more than passion. Meanwhile, Cristian, captain of another ship, is hunting Isa to settle a score. Drunk, he encounters Tita, Isa's neighbor and fellow prostitute, who falls for him.

The couple wander and stop at a clothes shop where they are noticed by a group of actors short of two performers for rehearsal. The actors invite them to join the show, and they meet the pompous ringleader Pamela who takes an interest in them. Pamela hosts a rehearsal for a small circle of critics, and Jaime and Isa read from the script while acting, drawing surprised praise.

Pamela congratulates them and arranges for their stay at an expensive hotel, signaling a boost in status. The rehearsal proves their onstage chemistry, and Pamela seizes the moment to elevate their exposure. The pair are traveled to and settled for what looks like a bigger showcase.

Isa refuses to have sex with Jaime, setting a boundary that surprises him. The following day they walk along a riverside park, where Isa remains unaware that Jaime has a wife waiting on his ship. He promises he will never leave her and that they will move to the countryside, and Isa briefly feels happiness.

Back at Isa's home, Jaime is distracted by the distant sound of the ship's bell, hinting at his unsettled life. Isa presses for commitment, but Jaime retreats into his own thoughts. Tita then arrives and invites Isa downstairs to her apartment.

Cristian confronts Isa in Tita's place, telling her that he has changed and asking her to come back to him. Isa refuses, asserting her own wishes and independence. The tension escalates and threatens the fragile balance of the night.

After the confrontation, Isa discovers that Jaime has abandoned her and returned to his ship. The realization leaves her isolated in a city that suddenly feels hostile and empty. The promise of shared life seems hollow in the wake of his departure.

Tita, having overheard Cristian's proposal to Isa, shoots herself dead with Cristian's revolver. The act adds a jarring layer of tragedy to the night's already fragile dynamics. Her death underscores the desperation surrounding Isa.

A steward walks in and takes Cristian away back to his ship, removing him from the immediate scene of Isa's turmoil. The departure marks a momentary quiet amid the chaos. Isa is left to face the aftermath largely alone.

The final scene shows Isa back in her usual spot, waiting to prostitute herself as the city hums around her. The memory of Jaime's promises lingers, but the moment is bleak and unresolved. The film closes with Isa in the same precarious routine she began with.

As the screen fades, Isa's thoughts dwell on Jaime's past vows of love and devotion, a memory that contrasts with the reality she faces. The narrative leaves her suspended between longing and survival. The story's last impression is of a heart unsettled by unkept promises.