August wants to show his younger brother Konstantin how exciting life can be and presents a plan intended to bring a bit of “spirit” into the sleepy town of Bochum: painting the traffic lights at major intersections black overnight, thereby bringing traffic to a standstill. Konstantin agrees enthusiastically, and the plan is carried out. The next morning, all of Bochum is clogged by a huge traffic jam. The brothers succeeded – there is “no way forward”.

At a party, some law student friends tell them about the legal consequences they may have to face. Before the two realise what is happening, the police are at the door and on the spur of the moment, August and Konstantin decide to flee to Hanover, into the “Underground”, as August romantically puts it …