In Harlem, Manhattan Island, New York City, Little Orphan Annie lives in foster care with several other girls under the care of Colleen Hannigan, a bitter former singer who spends her days drinking or trying to find a husband. Annie spends Fridays waiting outside ''Domani's'' restaurant, believing her parents will come for her because a note written on a receipt from ''Domani's'' says they would return. When a city inspector checks on Hannigan's treatment of the girls, Annie takes advantage of the situation; she manages to copy her social security number from his clipboard and heads off to get her information. Annie learns that there's nothing more about her than what she already knows.