Madrid1961.AnaMariisaspinster,lame,afollowerofFrancoandaninstructorintheFemaleSection.FollowingFranco'sorders,shebeginstoworkasamaidatAvaGardner'shomewithamissionofspyingonher.Forthis,shemustpretendtobemarriedtoManolo,ahustlerwhowillbecometheAmericanactress'chauffeur.Manolotriestotakeadvantageofhispositionforhisdodgydealingswithgypsyclans,andendsupinvolvingAnaMariandherschizophrenicbrother,Floren.Littlebylittle,thisleadstoanintimaterelationshipbetweenthem.Togetherwithayoungmaid,Pilar,theywillserveduringthecontinuouspartiesthatAvaandhercircleenjoyintheDolceVitareservedfortheeliteinMadrid.Partiesthatwillcreategrowingtensionswithherdownstairsneighbors,noneotherthanGeneralPerónandhiswife,recentlyexiledfromArgentina.