An obliging and resourceful peasant made a woodworking machine out of scrap metal bought for two ducks, unaware of the dangers that would await him at every turn. Having become an unwitting swindler, he had to go with the proper documents through many instances, suffering from unscrupulous officials-bureaucrats...

War criminal Baradla Géza returns after 25 years, alongside his ex-accomplice, Obrád Simon, to the village where he burned occupied homes and executed partisans. The ex squad-leader is chased to this place by his 'heroic deed' and the memory of his love. Like a maniac, he seeks to forgive the villagers for having killed six of his soldiers.