Theater and film actor Maxim Zavarzin was found dead in his own apartment. The police have two versions: murder and suicide. The young talented artist, who was rapidly gaining popularity, managed to make envious people, ill-wishers, and enemies. On the other hand, the attempt of the ambitious Zavarzin to stage a bold interpretation of the classical play completely failed, and the unsuccessful director took the failure seriously. Having eliminated possible suspects, the police are inclined to believe it was suicide. Private detective Soshnikov, attracted by a theater magazine to collect facts about the life and death of the actor, discovers a detail in the case that allows him to put forward his own version, bizarre and incredible.