Set in Prague during the years leading up to World War II, this family saga tells the story of a cobbler named Vincenc Bursik (Vladimir Mensik), who uproots his clan from the country to the city, only to suffer the loss of his wife and the failure of his shoe business within months. When his daughter moves away to go live with a wealthy businessman as his mistress, Vincenc is left to take care of his two sons, who spend their days in a secret garden vying for the affections of a teenage girl.

The main characters of the film, inspired by director Soukup's own experiences at the Škodovka factory in Pilsen, are two inseparable friends who, after graduating from the industrial school, join a large engineering plant. Here they spend their first year of post-graduate life, where their vague ideas and ideals clash with their completely different life experience. In addition to their conflicting work experiences, Ondřej and Cyril have to deal with their own personal problems. They have big plans for the future, but their dreams are unexpectedly interrupted by a tragic event.

A group of children is trying to solve a mystery related to the diamonds smuggling.