His bank account is overdrawn, his publisher refuses to give him an advance, and he has already accumulated too many debts with his friends Lisa and Rolf.

One of Walter's mistresses, Irmgard von Witzleben, writes him a check, but he accidentally shoots her while roleplaying with a gun.

Walter gets the idea to write about a prostitute and begins to interview Lana von Meyerbeer, but finds it easier to sleep with her than to ask good questions.

Because it has become so uncomfortable at home, Walter prefers to stay with his lover Lisa, whose husband doesn't mind.

Walter uses Andrée's money to have a Wilhelmian era suit tailored, puts on a wig, and – like George – begins to read his texts to a small group of followers.

With the exception of Andrée, Walter's only remaining disciple is a young man named Urs, who promises to bring his brother.

Walter declares Stefan George to be dead, but remains interested in the Friedrich Nietzsche-inspired worldview of the superman and the weak.

The lack of money drives Walter to visit his aging parents, whom he manages to con out of their meager funeral savings.

Walter doesn't care, because he's made it: his book No Celebration for the Führer's Dead Dog is finished and the publisher is satisfied: it is now "no more cramped left kitsch", but has "power" and "size".