Madeline (an exotic danger) and Gervaise (a baker) are lifelong friends who live in Bezier, France. As they help prepare the town for the annual bullfighting festival, they meet an arrogant matador named Pedrito. When Pedrito seeks Madeline out after her shows to make unwanted sexual demands, he incites Gervaise's rage. With the help of an aging actress rumored to be a witch, Gervaise concocts a clever plan to avenge her friend. But her plan is waylaid when she falls in love with Pedrito's poet brother.