While getting her nails done, New York society lady Sylvia Fowler finds out that her friend Mary Haines’ husband is having an affair with Crystal Allen, a perfume counter salesclerk. With schadenfreude, Sylvia shares the news with all their Park Avenue friends, then gleefully sends Mary to the manicurist who is spreading the gossip. As expected, the unwitting Mary’s visit to the beauty salon results in an unfolding public scandal