Mikhail (Louis Zorich) listens to Vassa (Olympia Dukakis) as she develops a plot to forge her dying husband's will in order to save the family business from the control of her incompetent sons.
Vassa's son Semyon (Reg Rogers) tells his sister Anna (Marcia Pizzo) about his desire to open a jewelry shop with his share of the inheritance.
Vassa (Olympia Dukakis) considers Anna (Marcia Pizzo)'s offer of complete loyalty in the fight for the family business, in exchange for financial support of she and her children.
Anna (Marcia Pizzo) attempts to find out what Prokhor (Tom Mardirosian), Vassa's shrewd and wealthy brother-in-law, plans to do with his shares in the family business, after his ill brother dies.