Headhunter Clemens Trunschka's (Ulrich Tukur) best friend has long been alcohol. For his wife (Jenny Schily) and his family, he is more of an empty shell than a family man. When he gets a big contract, Trunschka senses a chance to finally get his life back on track. He flies to Houston to recruit Steve Ringer (Jason Douglas), the head of Houston Petrol, to work for a major automotive company. But Ringer is more elusive than he thought. At least Trunschka meets the American businessman Robert Wagner (Garret Dillahunt) in the hotel, who is a help to him with his numerous contacts. Wagner is similarly lonely as Trunschka and seeks his friendship from the beginning. However, Trunschka does not recognize the true value of this friendship and does not yet suspect that he is heading straight for the abyss...