We are in the years 1975 to 1979, years marked by illness and disasters. The old director Anton Beerta lives in a nursing home after his stroke and is just a shadow of his former self. Nicolien's mother is also not well: she is increasingly becoming demented and must also move into a nursing home. Ad Muller is not in such a dire situation, but his many chronic ailments - tired eyes, throat pustules, and fever spikes - are starting to take their toll, and he even has to go to the hospital. Fortunately, this does not lead to a dramatic drop in productivity for the office. In general, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the men in the office to spend their days in sweet idleness. Out of necessity, they organize a symposium, which, however, completely spirals out of control.