Leipzig 1968: The historian Dallow is released from prison after 21 months of incarceration. His offense: he had stepped in as a pianist at a student cabaret, and the lyrics he was supposed to accompany with a tango had caused a stir. "Forget the silly story," he is now advised. Dallow does not forget, but he has become numb and paralyzed. Even the acknowledgment from those around him that he has been wronged leaves him indifferent, especially since his increasingly urgent search for work seems to be in vain.