 While they are settling into their new home, Drebednov and Barabashkin abruptly burst through a hole in the wall from the adjacent flat.The new occupants are ejected, but Barabashkin's intentions are uncovered.He has refused to give Lidochka and her father the keys in order that Drebednov, who allocated the adjacent apartment to his girlfriend, could please her by illegally taking two apartments and joining them together to make more luxurious accommodation.