A timid dog groomer living in a poor suburb sells cocaine on the side and stays out of trouble, while trying to deal with his unstable, violent acquaintance who is a menace to the whole neighborhood.

Marcello, a small and gentle dog groomer, finds himself involved in a dangerous relationship of subjugation with Simone, a former violent boxer who terrorizes the entire neighborhood. In an effort to reaffirm his dignity, Marcello will submit to an unexpected act of vengeance.

Marcello runs a dog-grooming business in a decaying Italian resort town. He also does some minor drug dealing, which leaves him open to constant bullying and abuse from Simoncino, a violent thug who dominates the town. Simoncino has enemies and a total disregard for everyone around him; when Marcello finds himself roped into a robbery, it starts a chain of events that leads to the puppy-dog divorced dad biting back hard.