An uptight, confused man lives with his wife and maid next to a big tree. He suspects people live up in the tree when he keeps finding various items and trash under the tree. The government appointed street cleaner doesn't do much, except occasionally take trashy people off the street and into the garbage. He suspects the maid of stealing food and sexual perversions, and the police precinct is literally a farm with insane cops imprisoning lamps and horses.

To get a job in a female trio, Per Fagernæs dresses up in women's clothing and calls himself Martha. Together with his "boyfriend" Poul, the four of them travel to the countryside. Martha immediately gets an admirer, which she is not particularly happy about. Martha is drawn into the women's movement by the mayor's wife, and at a women's rights meeting she is nominated as a candidate for parliament. Later, she is elected, beating the mayor of the town by one vote. Meanwhile, both Martha and Poul are having problems with love, as they have both fallen in love with two real women from the trio. But how do you declare your love when you are engaged to Martha, and how do you get rid of Martha?

The film deals with a problem that affects us all. Whether you are rich or poor, old or young, you can be attacked by tuberculosis. In many, many cases, you can also be cured and leave the hospital or sanatorium with a certificate stating that you are free of infection and that, provided you attend your check-ups, you pose no danger to other people. This is what happens to Bente, a young office worker.

The mysterious, impoverished Count Virtus (Federspiel) realizes his dream of a life at sea, and his young servant Kent (Springborg) must endure much pain before he finds happiness.