Master shoemaker Franz Anecker is raging with jealousy because he has long had a feeling that Mayor Wedekamp has his eye on his wife Lene. Old journeyman Matten believes the same, and since he loves beer and corn, he likes to keep a watchful eye on the goings-on in the house over a well-filled glass. As Matten cannot observe everything, he fails to notice that the master's young sister is particularly pleased by Wedekamp's visits.
Frugality can be a virtue, but for Schneider Nörig this virtue seems to have turned into avarice. For him, pancakes with two kinds of jam are a reprehensible luxury. He prefers to put the money aside, or rather put it in his piggy bank. It is therefore not surprising that Schneider Nörig has to prevent the marriage of his youngest daughter to an almost penniless craftsman. Neighbor Krup seems to be a promising candidate and a good match in his eyes. Money could come into the family if Nörig were to marry Krup's sister...
With his human nature and good-natured character, Police Master Johannes Wilke has everything under control. For this reason, he can afford to enjoy a glass of schnapps and play chess on the phone while on duty. Both his colleague Benthin and Pastor Petersen are not at all happy with such an approach to the job. But when a floater, a naked bather and a thieving tipple brother turn up, Wilke puts his beloved chessboard to one side...
