Vienna, 1937, on the eve of the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany. The young and inexperienced Franz Huchel begins to learn about both the joys and hardships of life by working as an apprentice to the mutilated war veteran Otto Trsnjek in a small tobacco shop, where he meets the famous psychiatrist Sigmund Freud, a regular customer, who will become a valuable friend in times of chaos and uncertainty.

In the beginning is the sea. Night over the harbour. Then a plane takes off. Dana, the friend, leaves the airport building. Dana, the milliner, leaves the millinery. Dana, the traveller, sits in the train.