On the deck of the Aalborg boat, the young girl Elly stands and stares at Copenhagen's towers and roofs, shining in the red glow of the afternoon sun. Elly has been lucky, she thinks: a maid in a boarding house in Nansensgade, her own room and a good salary. However, Elly is quickly disappointed. The boarding house is dirty, and after advances from one of the boarders, she packs her suitcase. She meets Agnes, a girl from home. Agnes takes Elly under her wing and gets her a place in a hotel and offers her half of her attic room. Elly feels safe with Agnes, but then one day a young man crosses her path.

An everyday story about a single father with four children, whose eldest daughter, Søs, runs the household. Søs occasionally goes into town with Peter. In connection with Ole's schooling, she comes into contact with his teacher, Jørgen Stæhr. Gradually, love develops between them, especially after Søs and Jørgen participate together in Children's Aid Day. Uncle Anders is a frequent guest in the house, and the neighbor, Mrs. Sejersen, often visits under various pretexts.

The celebrated operetta prima donna Elsa Bruun is famous nationwide for her amazing smile. One day she is approached by a shabby man who pushes a script on her. Without wanting to, Elsa becomes deeply involved in the story, which becomes her path to a renewed understanding of life, which must be lived out even if it may cost her trademark: the golden smile.

Thomas is newly divorced and is borrowing Bibi & Asger's apartment. He goes to the doctor because he is feeling unwell and is given some pills. At home, he gets drunk and is visited by his upstairs neighbor. At the same time, Thomas is being stalked by an unknown man on the phone. When Thomas meets Evy, he thinks they are going to have a nice evening, but she has other guests as well. After a night out on the town where Thomas gets drunk, he seeks out his divorced wife and begs her to come back.