Dora, a former teacher, earns a living by writing letters for illiterate people who arrive at Rio de Janeiro’s Central Station. Indifferent to her clients, she charges a dollar per letter and another dollar if they ask her to send it. And she doesn’t send all the letters.
Nine-year-old Josué and his mother also use Dora’s services. They write to Josué’s father. Josué has never seen his father, but dreams of meeting him.
One day, when his mother dies, the boy is left all alone in the big city. Dora, who has been watching over the poor boy, thinks she might be able to profit from the situation. She decides to find his father…