In 1961, shortly after the Berlin Wall was erected, Konrad, Sophie, and three of their friends hatched a plan to escape to Western Germany. Their attempt was successful, but Konrad was left behind. For the next 28 years, Konrad and Sophie would try to reunite, despite the Iron Curtain separating them. Konrad, now a renowned Astrophysicist, would attempt to see Sophie at scientific congresses held outside of East Germany, but in a country where the Stasi constantly monitored citizens, it was a constant battle to maintain privacy, ideals, and self-respect. This struggle continued even as the Eastern Bloc began to disintegrate.