Vienna, 1937, on the eve of the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany. The young and inexperienced Franz Huchel begins to learn about both the joys and hardships of life by working as an apprentice to the mutilated war veteran Otto Trsnjek in a small tobacco shop, where he meets the famous psychiatrist Sigmund Freud, a regular customer, who will become a valuable friend in times of chaos and uncertainty.
Voices of the past are populating a ruinous mansion. A piano is playing, laughter and applause. In the midst of an invisible society the young mistress calls for a stranger. She wants him to free her, but is yet unsure about her decision.
If only they looked up, they could meet each other.
