A lone fisherman dreams of mermaids
An art history student with lung disease arrives to do research on a secluded and alcoholic artist. The student is interested in why the artist's production consists of cruel subjects and how he manages to tell about real life through these. When they spend time together, they get to know each other and a love affair develops between them.
Tarmo, a failed student, tries to win over his uncle, Consul Ö, in the hope of receiving an advance on his inheritance. His stingy uncle threatens to donate his entire fortune to the Antiquities Preservation Society if Tarmo does not earn a million marks within a month. Tarmo's friend Hannu begins to motivate Tarmo to get rich by feeding him placebo "energy pills." The situation is complicated by a criminal gang getting involved in the inheritance hunt.
