The story follows a young scientist in the contemporary world, who actually came from the world of dwarves, thanks to a magic potion, held by the Big Eater, ruler of the dwarves. The dwarf kingdom, Shuflandia, exists in a cellar of a library, and only the most obedient get the chance to grow to king size and inhabit the larger world. Once there, nobody wants to return to Shuflandia. Also, there are no women in Shuflandia.

Roman is a young, talented composer, but he is constantly plagued by bad luck. He earns extra money by anonymously writing music for his less talented colleagues. One day, he meets a friend from school who promises him a generous reward for doing him a small favor. By helping him, Roman becomes involved in a smuggling scandal involving people in prominent positions. The operation is led by Jerzy, who has unlimited power. Roman falls in love with his wife, Anna. Love becomes the driving force behind exposing the gang.

After Mick Nich, a 1930's Chicago gangster, sells out his own gang to the police, the Mafia hires the best hitman in town, Johnny Pollack, to follow him to Odessa, USSR. Upon arrival, Pollack loses his memory and goes on various adventures with a group of thick-headed Odessa locals who think he is a harmless butterfly collector.

The story is a duel between criminal-on- the-run and the cop who put him behind the bars the first time around.