At the beginning of the 20th century it was not yet possible for a woman to study at a university in Vienna , but in the more progressive Prussia women already have access to universities. The couple Franz and Therese Schöngruber therefore decided to move from Vienna to Berlin , where their daughter Agnes could begin studying medicine. Franz Schöngruber also inherited a watchmaker's business in Berlin and owns an apartment building there. However, starting over is anything but easy, as the building is in dire need of renovation and the watchmaking business is not doing well. Mother and daughter come up with some ideas to keep the family afloat.