Thomas, son of sawmill owner Mautner, is more interested in music and women than in his father's business. His latest acquaintance is the young Andrea Sternberg, whom he rescues from a torrent and whose father wants to build a hotel on the Mautners' property. After an argument with his father, Thomas goes to Bad Gastein, where he lives a lavish life with Andrea and her friends. His father lends him money to finance this, hoping to gain access to Thomas's property. Cornered by Sternberg, Thomas is forced to return to his father and confess.

Vienna 1965. While visiting the Wax Museum a group of tourists stop in front of the figure of Prince Metternich. All of a sudden they find themselves brought back 150 years earlier during the Vienna Congress of 1814-1815. Before their eyes wide open, history is in the making. Gathered around the Tsar of Russia, Alexander I, the Kings of Bavaria, Würtemberg, Prussia and Denmark, are persuaded they are building the future Europe whereas they are being manipulated by foxy Chancellor Metternich, he himself under the thumb of cynical Count Talleyrand, the French representative. All those considerations come second though to partying and social life, which is all these aristocrats really want out of this congress.

After the brutal murder of the prostitute Vera Paterny, Inspector Reinisch hardly makes any progress with the investigation. Vera's colleague Sonja reports on wild sex parties of the murdered and mentions names, prominent names.