The action takes place in an expensively furnished house of Golemanov. The cabinet minister has suddenly died. The host, his wife, his daughter and his son are on mind about who should fill the ministerial vacancy. They decide that Golemanov is the best candidate for the post. Golemanov goes into action. He sends for old Gichka, "the living link" between him and the wife of the Prime Minister. The wife of the Prime Minister persuades Golemanov to agree to the marriage of his daughter with a prospective foreign minister, but the daughter is in love with the young clerk. At the end, Golemanov is horrified to learn that the cabinet has resigned and that all his striving for power has been in vain.