This is the story of a man who travels to Brussels, and meets some people with whom he spends a few days. When they all go on a day trip to the "slanting plane" of Ronquieres, all sorts of bottled up frustrations flare up.
Lydia
The antiques shop Gerard owns should help him to get rid of his financial problems. He dreams of writing the most important Dutch novel ever. Unfortunately he spends money like water. As a result he is constantly broke. His sister Ingrid is married to Pierre. She wants a child but he refuses. While Gerard is willing to consider leading a normal life, a wish mainly expressed by his parents, Ingrid's marriage falls apart.
