Two carriage drivers of old Athens watch their profession collapse with the advent of taxis. One becomes a taxi driver, but the other insists on facing the arrival of the new era and dealing with family problems, as his son becomes a pickpocket and travels abroad, abandoning a young girl. The father begins selling cigarettes on the streets to support himself and the girl until he dies. The son returns, regretful, marries the girl, and asks for forgiveness at his father's grave.