In the early 1920s Germany was in a state of economic chaos, crippled by reparations; the value of the Mark fell until it impoverished the middle-class. One of the victims was Herr Tonn, whose avarice led him to 'sell' his own daughter and steal money to make more on the black exchange.

Tonight's play takes place in his pension which houses an assortment of English expatriates, social rejects, and an Irish gunman who finds his salvation in Herr Tonn's beautiful, but abused daughter.