Three people, just before their 40th birthday, want to change their lives: Judith, a former stewardess, is a single mother who lives in a secluded residential community. She earns her money with boring homework and telephone market research. After her friend has left her, Ulrike announces in the youth office and starts training as a masseuse and beautician. Jochen, an occasional jumper, is about to pull people across the table as an insurance representative and hopes for his own flat.