Publieke Werken plot
1888: A violin maker, Vedder (Gijs Scholten van Aschat), is forced to leave his house, opposite the recently completed Central Station of Amsterdam, to make way for the planned Victoria Hotel. His nephew Anijs (Jacob Derwig), pharmacist in Hoogeveen, has gotten himself into trouble due to unauthorized medical action and is looking for a way out, for himself and his wife Martha (Rifka Lodeizen), but also for a group of poor peat cutters whom he wants a future for. America promises. Passionate - or is it pride? - the two devise a plan to get the most out of it.