Amsterdam, 1888. Violin maker Vedder learns that a large hotel is to be built on the site of his house. At the same time rural pharmacist Anijs, is concerned about the local peat cutters, who suffer from abject poverty and have no future in the Netherlands. But emigration costs a fortune – exactly the amount that Vedder thinks he can get for the sale of his house to the hotel company. The men become involved in an oppressive adventure. Great HF!