Max, a successful architect living abroad, returns to Vienna to see his mother and Sybille, an old flame. He wants to persuade Sybille to leave with him. But instead of Sybille, it´s his ex-wife who is at the airport waiting for him to land. Then he comes across a suicidal young actor Max, in the Vienna Woods. Max gets to know Karl´s sister, Lilly and their fatherly friend, Andrej, an exiled Czech. While Karl is in hospital, Max makes a pass at Lilly. Meanwhile his ex-wife flirts with the Czech. After quarrelling with Lilly, Andrej has a car accident and also lands in a hospital. Karl´s resurrection after his suicidal attempt has one effect on him – he becomes a show off. He steals automobiles and demolishes a fine restaurant.