Plot Summary

Humanity presented a beautiful and touching picture on the first day of the new year. Everyone was happy, rejoicing, congratulating each other. The air was filled with the most sincere and heartfelt wishes. Everyone was happy and satisfied... Only the provincial secretary Ponimaev was dissatisfied. On New Year's afternoon, he stood on one of the capital's streets and protested. Hugging a lamppost with his right hand and waving away who knows what with his left, he muttered unforgivable and intended things...