The film mainly consists of various, often grotesque episodes. There is also a frame story from which the episodes are derived. However, the connection between the frame story and the episodes is very weak. Many episodes revolve around surveillance and security. In the frame story, insurance agent Erich and Richard are stuck together in an elevator that is unusually large for an apartment building (about 3x3 meters). While Erich wants to get out as quickly as possible, Richard isn't actually in any hurry, as he seems to live in the elevator.

Every year, many Germans are preparing to spend their vacations in the sunny south. And they all have to use the same highways. And every year everything ends in a big traffic jam.

Because her husband, crime novel author Bert, prefers to spend the evenings with milieu and girl studies in the pubs, Conny files for divorce and moves with the two children from Berlin to Munich. There, she mistakes the new teacher of her daughter with the renovating carpenter, which is quite alright with the teacher as this gives him plenty of opportunity to enjoy Conny’s company. Meanwhile, however, Bert as well has started to understand how good it is to have a cosy home. He comes to Munich in order to win Conny back.

Set in the fast and loose ambience of 1947 in West Germany, this story is about Hans Kolp, an inventive, teenage urban con artist who takes advantage of an out-of-control black market where almost any Allied goods can be stolen and traded for a tidy profit. Hans learns to speak good English from an American soldier friend, and bored with school -- which is nothing more than a big room in the railroad station with only one teacher to mind all levels of students -- the enterprising Hans starts a gang of petty thieves. Armed with a stolen jeep, the youngsters deal successfully in stolen goods, with Hans doing a good impression of a G.I. Business is so good, in fact, that when someone arrives to encourage Hans to get into the big-time with stolen vehicles and U.S. Army uniforms, the first crisis comes up in the small gang. Members want to back away from that level of dangerous dealing, but Hans wants to go for broke -- a difficult decision that will determine the young con's future.

Pete is no stranger to success, delivering hit series as a musician in a rock group. When he parts ways with his band and produces his first solo LP, he learns for the first time what a flop means. He did not expect this. He is insecure and desperate, while Lena, his wife, accepts this low blow as a challenge. Jealously, Pete observes that Lena is becoming more and more independent and self-confident in her surroundings. At home there are arguments until everyone packs his bags. Alone with his longing and tenderness for Lena, Pete composes the "Bolero" on his white grand piano that calls her back.

Ricky, Walter and Edmund, 3 not very successful and chaotic Daydreamer, meet after all of them get fired from the set of the new Winnetou production. On their way to the next town they meet Rosi and all 3 of them fall immediately in love with her. After an intimate party with just the four of them Rosi finds out that she's pregnant and every one of them could be the father. Till they can be sure who the father is the three of them try to help Rosa out in any way they can and to get the necessary money for the baby, the three of them will try anything, regardless how chaotic the outcome will be.

Dr. Dieter Bartels, the star surgical resident, spares 2,000 DM on a Jugendstil vase for his chief’s 60th. Unbeknownst to him, the chief has already acquired a pricier version and dashed Bartels’s purchase. Humiliated, the chief withdraws his support, sabotaging Bartels’s career. Left with no prospects, Bartels resigns.