Paragraf 224 plot
Placek, head of research at a chemical plant, appreciates the help of his younger colleague Bernát in creating a new synthetic material. However, before putting it into production, he wants to have purification equipment installed to prevent further destruction of the countryside around the city, which is already suffering from pollution. Bernát is just completing a burner for this purpose. Placek's own solution would require another year of development as management pressures production to begin as soon as possible. The two previously friendly chemists are now on opposite sides.