Frederic, 25, a racist white garage worker, torches the car of a black customer while the customer is away on holiday. On the basis of the victim’s accusation, Frederic is summoned and then held for questioning. He then chooses the only lawyer he knows, another customer of the garage, who is black. He thinks that choosing a black lawyer is a winning strategy which will enable him to be acquitted of this act of racial hatred. Matthew, 55, a black lawyer, meets Frederic during his time in custody. Frederic confesses his guilt. Matthew hesitates about defending a white racist who he knows to be guilty but in the end accepts. Matthew’s defence is faultless. As the trial progresses, he destroys the accusations one by one. With the commitment and victory of the lawyer, a friendship is born between the two men, replacing the business relationship brought about by the trial. At the court, the lawyer offers to continue preparing for the hearing at his house over a meal and invites Frederic to dinner with him. The dinner goes well and Frederic goes home happy. As he is returning home, in the stairwell of the building, a friend of an Asian neighbour confronts him but he doesn’t react. The next day is the last day of the hearing. The presiding judge announces the end of the hearing and says the verdict will be given in a week’s time. Frederic goes to the toilets where Matthew joins him. In the toilets, Frederic’s confusion over the new feelings he has for Matthew reaches its peak. Frederic wants Matthew to shut up but Matthew is in such a good mood about the upcoming victory that he cannot stop talking about it. Frederic insults Matthew just as the presiding judge comes out of the toilets; the judge leaves without speaking.