Décio is a winning horse trainer who works at the Rio de Janeiro’s Jockey Club, where Lena runs an indebted coffee shop that she inherited. Worried about her financial situation and having to take care of her younger brother who is in a wheelchair, Lena never smiles. In love, Décio must overcome his shyness to get close to her, especially with him being only 1.20m tall. He will do anything to get Lena's attention, including becoming a comedian, just so he can see Lena smile.

Rubens is a carefree, charismatic swimming instructor who finds himself accused of displaying inappropriate affection toward one of his students by the boy's mother. Other parents and colleagues are only too eager to condemn him.

Joel is the director of a musical theater play featuring the songs of Lupicínio Rodrigues. He and his girlfriend, Maria Rosa, star in the play. Joel's bad mood and rudeness cause her to grow closer to someone else.