Crescenzio, the verificatore (meter reader) from the title, works for the gas company in Naples and so gets a far from optimistic view of what goes on behind the doors of his city. Crescenzio himself is big and fat and that makes him suffer; he is melancholic and often apathetic. His brother Beniamino is the opposite in every respect. Beniamino works for a company that supposedly repairs electrical appliances, but that is only a cover for illegal activities. Giuliana, who ingenuously works for the firm as a secretary, finds out that its activities are far from innocent. When she protests, this gets her into deep water. Beniamino won’t do a thing to help her, but then the colossal meter reader comes into action.
