The Walkowiaks' marriage suffers due to the couple's differing perspectives on work. August (Erich Franz) looks forward to resting after retirement, while Frieda (Gisela May) invests much of her time and energy into her position as the head of an agricultural collective. When Frieda is called to work during the couple's 30th anniversary celebration, the conflict comes to a head: August demands that his wife choose between him and her job.