In a hospital's five-bed room—room number 13—there are five very different men with very different backgrounds: District Court Judge Winther, fashion designer Philip André, bank teller Madsen, the incorrigible burglar Herluf "Smukke Arne" Jensen, and legation secretary Konrad Konradsen. The legation secretary has done something foolish and fallen into the clutches of the blackmailer Helmer Gamtofte. He is in possession of some compromising photographs, which he keeps in a safe deposit box at the bank where Madsen works. The camaraderie that develops in room 13 becomes the driving force that prompts the district court judge to suggest that "Smukke Arne" help Konradsen break into the bank and steal the photos.

Denmark, 1967. In the midst of a cultural renaissance, all cultured people want to support Danish cinema, especially when it receives funding from the film fund to shoot scenes on location in a bank. The respectable bankers naturally agree to play extras in their own bank and be a little cultured for just one evening. No one suspects that the film's script is the work of "Grosserer Nielsen" from Vesterport, alias "Smukke Arne." No one suspects why "Karate Smutti" is having a field day teaching physical exercises. No one suspects why little Mrs. Jensen in the attic across from Aktiebanken has two nice lodgers. No one knows why Rosa—Dad's own pet—is fussing over her window boxes in the porch. WHO relieved Aktiebanken of 2 million stray dollars is a mystery—except to Judge Vinter. But Handsome Arne and Rose are enjoying an expensive and wonderful vacation—far, far, far away from Denmark.