After being retired from the French army, former sergeant Josse goes on to live with his sister somewhere in the French province. Unmarried, without children and friends, he spends his days strolling around - or patrolling? - the streets of the small town without a clear aim in life. Only when he discovers the remnants of a derelict fortress in near his town he regains some confidence indulging in memories of his service: those were the days when he had the power to push people around the same way he's treated by his battleaxe sister. His daydreams are interrupted by the arrival of a couple of young men formerly under his command who now want to avenge themselves for the humiliations received during their term with the military. Shocked by this incident and further abused by his bossy sister, he starts to break down morally and more and more retires to his humble room in his sister's house ...