The young Viennese Magdalena Menzel moves to Berlin seeking a job as a technical illustrator. During her interview at the Wuellner Works, however, she appears so uncertain of herself, that the head engineer is put off and will only offer her a position as a clerk on the night shift. But after the head engineer reconsiders his offer, Magdalena agrees to work the day shift, but doesn't give up her night job; thus working 16 hours a day and figuring she can sleep during the remaining eight hours left to the day.