Plot Summary

A retirement home. An elderly gentleman is conversing with a paralyzed countess. When she asks him why he was awarded the title of advisor and an order, Ziegler modestly replies, "For services to the fatherland and the people." The scene changes, and we see Ziegler no longer in the retirement home, but behind bars. After serving his sentence for defrauding gullible women seeking to get married, the marriage swindler Ziegler accidentally finds himself at the award ceremony. Realizing how attractive the order is to wealthy individuals who have not yet taken their place among the elite, Ziegler decides to end his dangerous and not-so-lucrative "business." He searches his address book for the names of wealthy fellow citizens and, using forged forms, informs them that they will soon be awarded an order and that they must pay 750 marks to cover the costs of the ceremony...