This is a German version of Thornton Wilder's play, Our Town.

At the court of Frederick William I of Prussia, highly political marriage plans are being forged. Princess Wilhelmine's parents want her to marry into the English or Austrian royal family so that she can become queen or even empress. But she is in love with the crown prince of the small principality of Bayreuth...

An ageing actor leaves the stage in the middle of a Strindberg performance and goes home. He has realized that his life is as sterile as the characters he portrays. He encourages his daughter to pack a few things in the car and he wants to drive off with her. Where to? Why not to Monte Carlo, to tempt their luck? As it turns out during their journey, they have already tempted their luck enough. While father and daughter slowly grow closer again, the goal of Monte Carlo becomes a long way off. But they will not give up, no matter what the cost..

Old Karl Knesebeck has long been head waiter and rules his waiters with an iron fist at the hotel. When the business passes into the hands of the heirs after the owner's death, he's in a difficult position. The unscrupulous Alwin makes advances toward Niddy, the owner's daughter, whose well-being Knesebeck watches over like a father. Alwin demotes the old man to toilet attendant – a tragedy that Knesebeck tries to salvage, especially since Niddy is about to marry Alwin and another man would actually be better for her...