1955, Paris. Mischievous 13-year old Cookie falls in love with Lucienne, 25, a ravishing prostitute, who is controlled by her vicious boyfriend/pimp Jules. Lucienne sets the financial bar so high, Cookie cannot possibly come up with the money. Yet when he does, she refuses him because he is not a man. When that day comes, he saves her from Jules and they make love. But when Cookie is given the opportunity to go to America, she tells him she no longer loves him. But in reality, she knows she would hold him back. Years later, he returns to her side as she is dying and learns the truth. But by then, it's too late.