During the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, the main characters of the story meet in a village pub. A traveling magician performs his variety show there with his assistant and current lover, with whom the local innkeeper had an affair in the past. The assistant would like to settle down, as she is tired of the traveling life. However, after an argument, the magician kicks her out. Hiding in the tavern's cellar is a young 16-year-old girl, half-Jewish, who is fascinated by the magician's performance. The innkeepers have been hiding her there somewhat against their will. When the girl runs away with the magician, they feel somewhat relieved. But only until they realize what would happen if the girl revealed where she was hiding.