Professor Dr. Dr. Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld, of the Institute of Romance Philology in the Bavarian city of Regensburg, finds that life is very difficult these days. His academic rival has been winning undeserved recognition. With help from Ophelia Prinzel, he stumbles towards a romance with Frau Benz. And at a dinner party, he is the only kind soul who can aid his rival's unfortunate dachshund, whose sticky wheels are in need of lubrication.