During the American Civil War, a Southerner is about to be hanged from a bridge for sabotage when something unexpected happens.

When waiter Thomas Hansen has put aside 10-øre on 10-øre to become a hotel owner, you can clearly see that the spirit has changed. It is not enough, by the way. Therefore, Thomas borrows the missing 10,000 kr. from a guest, rentier Birkehøj, who remarks that he can always get those shillings back when Thomas has become a millionaire. But, for the record, Thomas writes him a receipt on the back of a sandwich note. Then Thomas starts building his hotel - and then Birkehøj dies. Thomas' entire fortune is eaten up by smart money men, and he ends up as a farmhand. He only gets a job again when a maid is laid off. Thomas becomes a housekeeper, and in his new job he encounters justice. A hotel owner Ravn from Ringkøbing shows up as a guest in the house.

Senior barrister Cornelius Thorsen is passionate about three things: good food, fine wine and above all else his lovely daughter Else. At a party, up-and-coming businessman Mads Hovborg catches a glimpse of Else, but when Cornelius thinks Mads is a bit of a King Carrot, he has his romance thwarted. But only for a start.