Paul, on receiving a phone call from his girlfriend, tears himself away from his workaholic life and sets off for Italy. On the road he settles down at the wheel, listens to the hum of the tires on the asphalt and enjoys the journey. But he is held up by a breakdown. By the time he arrives, his girlfriend has already left. Longing to see her he lingers on, and while he passes the time he experiences moments of unexpected delight. His waiting turns into a voyage of indulgence. His longing grows and tantalizes.

Thomas Donnhofer has turned his estate into a therapy center for horses. But some people are a thorn in the side, for example, Mayor Federer, who pursues other plans. Mayor Federer is only too happy to support the interest of a large hotel chain in Donnhofer's estate. Even privately, Thomas Donnhofer has to worry: his relationship is at stake.

A young man working as a stone mason in Germany during the 1920s finds his own life experiences reflected in the lives of the historical figures he sculpts.

Trickster of love Constantin is a perfect gentleman with impeccable manners. He is charming, well-educated, loving and shows good taste in women: Pretty Isabelle possesses as much class as money. Suddenly, though, young urban cowboy Hendrik appears on the scene. He blackmails Constantin because he knows something about Constantin's past, something Isabelle must never learn of. Hendrik wants money for his silence... more money than Constantin has. Constantin offers to teach him what he knows best instead: the art of catching yourself a millionaire dame. Soon, Hendrik is ready for his masterpiece - seducing a beautiful, rich lady. When he has made his choice, the situation turns dangerous for Constantin...

Hansi is elated and looks forward to a happy life when his childhood sweetheart Regina marries him. However, he is unaware that his rival is conspiring to cause a rift in his family.

One of the main theses of the Marienthal study was that prolonged unemployment leads to a state of apathy in which the victims do not utilize any longer even the few opportunities left to them. The vicious cycle between reduced opportunities and reduced level of aspiration has remained the focus of all subsequent discussions.