Paul can’t seem to escape the dreariness of small-town life, and his decision to do military service, motivated only by a desire to spite his left-wing family, only makes his situation worse. One day he goes AWOL. On arriving home, Paul is surprised to discover his older brother Max and girlfriend Lene are there for a cozy few days together. The trio gets along famously until they realize that Paul has deserted. On a whim, Lene starts to muck about with Max’s younger brother, kissing and cuddling him - with the result that Paul falls instantly in love with Lene. His attempts to win her are in vain, however, and Max throws him out of the house. Determined to see Lene, Paul returns. Suddenly the military police arrive and Paul escapes with Lene. Lene’s anger about being ‘abducted’ soon gives way to pity when she realizes that Paul is in fact at the end of his tether.