The story centers on the Roman merchant Piacchi, who raises the foundling Nicolo after the death of his son and bequeaths all his possessions to the young man. However, the adopted son turns against Piacchi and his wife.

Daniel Schmid's actual first feature, made during his (later abandoned) studies at the German Film and Television Academy Berlin (DFFB), is an attempt at an unusual horror film: A little girl asks an older lady to buy her a cinema ticket. They discover that their names are both Miriam. The precocious girl forces her way into the lady's flat at night and demands a snack and presents. When the impudent child wants to move in with her the next day, the lady asks her neighbors for help.