Monsieur R. is a middle-aged lawyer living in a crowded apartment in southeastern France with his wife and two daughters. At this point in his life, the only thing he desires is a new place to live, and he knows the perfect place: a spacious apartment owned by the ninety-year-old Madame C. a few minutes from his office. Madame C. lives alone and has no heirs left. Monsieur R. visits her to set up a contract, offering to pay her 2,500 francs until she passes away so that he can get her apartment. Madame C., who is almost out of savings, gladly agrees. When Monsieur R. visits to pay Madame C. after the first month, he also brings gifts of chocolates, wine, and cigarettes, hoping to affect her health. When he finds her wheelchair-bound due to a cold, his spirits rise, and he indulges himself in the wine and cigarettes after having been sober for several years.  Monsieur R. continues to bring gifts and pay the monthly sum, though Madame C. seems to be as lively as ever, riding around town on her bicycle.  When she turns 100, she has a birthday party and invites Monsieur R. and his wife. They reveal that now that their two daughters have moved out, their current apartment suits all their needs after all. Shortly after, he meets with her to renegotiate the contract, hoping to at least reduce the monthly sum, but Madame C. refuses any changes. Ten, fifteen, then twenty more years go by. Madame C. can no longer ride her bicycle, and she is barely able to see, but she is still alive. She has become the oldest person alive. Monsieur R., on the other hand, gets cancer and dies.