Manfred er lektor på Intstitut for Psykologi på universitetet, og hans store drøm er at få professorat. Da en kollega begår selvmord er stillingen pludselig ledig, og den ellers lidt tilbageholdende Manfred besluttter sig for at søge den. Men konkurrencen bliver hård, da Manfreds gamle kollega Poul også melder sig som kandidat. Og han er ikke bange for at bruge ufine metoder.

A position opens up at the Institute of Psychology. Manfred, a faculty psychologist, jumps at the career opportunity of a lifetime, spurred on by his girlfriend, Therese, who is also a co-worker. Then a new psychologist joins the staff, jeopardising his plans. It pains Manfred, who bends over backwards to curry favour, no end to see his new colleague, Poul, win over the institute chairman with his smooth, easy-going style. It is time, Manfred figures, to tip the scales of justice.