Sisters Mariana and Ioana Dumitru are struggling to get by during the Communist period in Romania, in a time where every basic necessity is a luxury. While Mariana is a clever schoolgirl who is hiding away something from her sister, Ioana is the older sister that has to stay at home to keep the family going. When Mariana comes back late from school one evening, Ioana suspects that her sister is hiding something. Soon, it is revealed that Mariana was tackled by a Security agent earlier that day, who interrogates her. He reveals that he has been following her for a few days, and believes that she is hiding something in her bag. When Mariana refuses to give in, the agent threatens and slaps her. He offers her a deal ultimately, telling her that she can leave once he has taken a look in her bag. After searching Mariana's belongings and finding nothing, the agent lets her go. Mariana lies to her sister and tells her that nothing unusual occurred in her day. Ioana feels guilty when her sister comforts her after talking about their struggles, which leads to a revelation about Ioana's day. Ioana has been working with the agent, after being won over with food and payments. Agent reminds her of her previous loyalties to the Communists, and she agrees to betray her sister. Agent shows up at the girls' home, asking for the forbidden items that Mariana has. Ioana tells him where they are, and Mariana is shocked by her sister's deception. Mariana leaves her sister, and Agent leaves a crying Ioana in her kitchen. Agent goes home and takes out a forged passport that Mariana was hiding, and religious artifacts that were in the bag. He takes out the final piece, a copy of the Bible, and begins to read.
—Faizah Muhammad