The years 1982 to 1987 are years of farewell. Hardly has the death of Nicolien's mother been processed when Maarten's mentor Beerta dies alone in his nursing home. And finally, Maarten and Nicolien also have to say goodbye to their old friend Frans Veen, whose life is taken by cancer. Saying goodbye also applies to Director Balk, but not to life, rather "only" to work. After many exhausting years at the helm of the Amsterdam Institute of Folklore, he decides to retire and entrusts the interim management of the institution to his deputy Maarten Koning. In hindsight, Maarten would be the ideal candidate for the vacant director position, but the office would not be the office if it were to follow this fortunate twist of fate without resistance.