Irene Wagner, the wife of the prominent German scientist Professor Albert Wagner, had been having an affair with Erich Baumann. She does not disclose this to her husband, hoping to preserve his innocence and their "perfect marriage". This fills her with anxiety and guilt. However, Johanna Schultze, Erich's jealous ex-girlfriend, learns about the affair and begins to blackmail Irene, turning Irene's psychological torture into a harsh reality.

In two fictional states bureaucracy and political intrigue provoke social unrest. Beppo learns that his nation's president is his twin. Mistaken identities lead to comical chaos as the twins propose a treaty that will benefit both nations.