The writer Franz Schmidt reads to two editors from his new romance novel. The two criticize the lack of a problematic portrayal of the joyful life of youth, the role of women and the collective "welding together". He is asked to revise the work again. In his new version, the writer presents - in a staged setting - a pair of lovers who want to start a life together in front of smoking chimneys with a piece of steel from the new production. But even this does not satisfy the two art experts. A couple are kissing in front of the window. They point to it and recommend another revision. Outraged, Mr. Schmidt tells them he is going to write a story about real-life art experts and leaves. Their photo disappears into a folder labeled "superfluous contemporaries".