Some people's lives are tough. Marie is stuck in the wasteland of eastern province, abandoned by her true love Thomas. While he's searching for his luck in the golden west, Marie takes care of her sick mother at home. Enduring silently, she succumbs to the monotony of the assembly line at the ketchup factory. Then Thomas returns. Without any warning. With his child and his new wife Steffi. The same is standing next to Marie at the labeling machine one morning. What chances are there for Marie to stay out of it? High noon in Brandenburg. An angry clash with Steffi seems inevitable, even more so when Marie kisses Thomas.