At the beginning of the play, Andri is engaged to Barblin. The Soldier ("der Soldat") is interested in her sexually, but she strongly dislikes him. The townspeople hold anti-Semitic views, and there are rumours of a coming invasion by the Blacks. The Teacher sells land to the Landlord ("der Wirt") so that he can pay the Carpenter ("der Tischler") to take on Andri as an apprentice. However, Andri is later dismissed from his apprenticeship when the Carpenter thinks that Andri has made a poor-quality chair, which was in fact made by the Journeyman ("der Geselle"), who does not admit to it. The Carpenter instead employs Andri as a salesman.