German vehicle fanatic Dieter 'Didi' accepts to drive a truckload of waste barrels to a French dump site. Didi ignores the plant needs to dump toxic waste after a major incident, which made the international news. But while the French site exploiter's agent Marcel believes it's Did's load, that's in fact a deliberately obvious diversion. Now everyone chases everyone else.

Driving instructor Carola "Charley" can no longer stand the constant advances of her pupils and quits her job without further ado. To gain some distance, she takes the opportunity to look after her friend Lilo's dog, the two parrots and her apartment while Lilo is on vacation. But even here she has to fend off unloved admirers, as Lilo earns her living as a playgirl. However, "Charley" has received a good tip from her friend: As soon as a man becomes too pushy, janitor Pinkus pretends to be "Captain Tressblekken" on cue and quickly chases the visitors away. But when the real Uncle Tressblekken turns up at "Charley's" house, chaos can no longer be averted...

Set in Berlin in the eighties of the 19th century. The focus is on the upper-class family of Kommerzienrat Treibel and the family of Professor Schmidt, who live in modest circumstances. For the former, outward appearances, possessions and the resulting social standing have the importance that education and authenticity have for the latter. The friendly contact between them by no means goes so far that, from Jenny Treibel's point of view, an engagement between their children would not threaten the social order.

Horst Valfelt, deputy manager of a medium-sized bank branch in West Berlin, is passed over for promotion. A woman is put in front of him as branch manager. A serious blow to Valfelt's career. One day, his former fellow student Thomas Berthold appears at the bank. He has achieved everything Valfelt dreams of: a degree, a highly remunerated and influential position and an attractive wife. Berthold wants to start his own business and asks for a loan. Valfelt cockily promises to get him a loan on particularly favorable terms.