Jules, a seventeen-year-old boy, has just been released from reform school. He was sent there after he was caught stealing from Spagnola's fruit market. With his newfound freedom, Jules is desperate to prove to everybody that he has changed. However, when he roams the streets of his town, everybody around him believes he is still a troublemaker. Jules passes a cigar store, and Meuller and two other men are shocked that Jules has been released. Meuller is a known delinquent, and he asks Jules if he wants to go to the fights. Jules, who suffers from a violent temper, tries to control himself. Jules says nothing, but the men still taunt him. Meuller asks if Jules wants to visit Spagnola's fruit market. Jules is desperate to beat up Meuller, but his desire to prove that he is good is far more potent. The men finally leave him alone, and Jules returns home. At the house, he recounts to his parents what happened with Meuller and then proudly tells them how he controlled his anger. His parents reassure him that they believe he is a good boy. However, Jules is convinced that his parents don't believe him. His inability to prove himself fuels Jules's anger, and he leaves the house to beat up Meuller. As Jules searches for the man, he spots the fruit market. He sneaks around the building and spots a gate that leads into a yard behind Spagnola's store. He enters and spots an empty basket. Still angry at his inability to change, he kicks the basket. The noise alerts Spagnola, who rushes at Jules. Jules slips, and Spagnola tackles Jules. Unable to escape the store owner, Jules realizes he will never be a good person.