After an unsuccessful operation, a doctor named Thomas decides to turn his back on real life and live in a psychiatric hospital. He makes his time bearable by imagining that he is in the Wild West. 'Only things that you think about happen there.' Thomas' parents are unable to deal with this situation and convince a former schoolmate who is now a priest to 'bring Thomas back.' Hermann pays Thomas a visit in the hospital. The two gradually become close friends, and Thomas convinces the priest to visit the fantasy world with him. Hermann enjoys it so much that returning to his duties as priest and spiritual adviser is difficult. He tries to convince Thomas one last time that real life is preferable to fantasy, but is unable to return afterwards.