Jerichow, a small village in northeast Germany. The area is poor, unemployment is high. Thomas returned here after his mother died. He was a soldier who has been dishonorably discharged. He inherited his mother’s house and plans to renovate it and look for a job.

By coincidence, he meets Ali, 45. All the snack bars in the area belong to him, he rents and stocks them, is reliable and mistrusting, always on the lookout to make sure his renters aren’t cheating him. Ali likes Thomas. He trusts him and offers him a job as a driver and his assistant. The pay is good. Laura is Ali’s wife. She’s attractive, reserved, almost a bit sullen.

Thomas sees her every day when he drives the delivery van up to their house, tucked away in the forest. She is aloof, almost dismissive, toward Thomas, who Ali already considers a friend. Laura always kisses Ali good-bye. Ali is furious if he can’t reach Laura on her cell phone …