Set against the historical backdrop of the construction of the first Berlin elevated railway, the story unfolds of two friends who become enemies. At the end of the 19th century in Berlin, engineers Ludolf Tschello and Hermann Mahlgast are driven by the desire to contribute to the development of the elevated railway. However, only Hermann succeeds in climbing the career ladder at Siemens & Halske. Meanwhile, Ludolf, consumed by his professional failure, descends into hatred and resorts to drastic measures.