A small town in the Middle Rhine Valley. In the town center, which once attracted many tourists with its winding alleys, many shops now stand empty. The paintings of nymphs and water creatures on the facades of the houses are fading, as if the memories of the legends surrounding the river were slowly being forgotten. Since his wife died five years ago, KARL (34) has been living alone with his son THEO (7) in a house just outside the town. For as long as Theo can remember, it has been just him and his dad. He can talk to Karl about anything — except his mother.