São Paulo, 1945. A tenement in the Bixiga neighborhood centralizes the plots and characters. The cheerful Lalá is a former prostitute who got along with a senator of the Republic, her lover, who, when he died, left her in an excellent financial situation, since she had a daughter with him, Marialina. Lalá is courted by the simple Italian Antônio Sapateiro, a mature man in love with her. The Portuguese Manoel Vitor loves the Jewish Ruth, but her parents forbid dating because of religion.
Laura (Lalá)
Gema
Antônio Sapateiro
Pietro
Manuel Vitor
Ruth
Álvaro
Francesco
Bruno
Bianca
Israel
Valentim
Sebastião
Mariano
Michel
Coronel Antenor
Samuel
Antônio do Mercado
Fanny
Toninho
Amadeu
Ivete
Maria
Alcebíades
Cupim
Sarah
Gracinha
Marieta
Nena
Tatu
Clara
Giócomo
Juca
Marta
Mariana
Madre Superiora
Padre Antônio
Jandira
Virgínia
Irmã da Luz
Dino
Fogueira