Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A car cuts Bettina off while she crosses a street. She responds by shouting insults at the driver.

Bettina Crosses the Street — A car cuts Bettina off while she is crossing the street. Characters: Bettina Maurer Location: Street in a small town
Bettina Insults the Driver — Bettina shouts insults at the driver who cut her off. Characters: Bettina Maurer Location: Street in a small town

Shortly before midnight, Bettina enters a small bank branch's anteroom to withdraw money. Her EC card gets stuck in the ATM.

Late-Night Bank Visit — Shortly before midnight, Bettina enters the bank anteroom to withdraw money. Characters: Bettina Maurer Location: Anteroom of a small bank branch
Card Stuck in ATM — Bettina's EC card gets stuck in the ATM. Characters: Bettina Maurer Location: Anteroom of a small bank branch

Martin, visiting from Berlin and in a hurry, enters the anteroom. He uses a hairpin to poke around the ATM card slot.

Martin Enters the Anteroom — Martin, visiting from Berlin and in a hurry, enters as Bettina deals with the stuck card. Characters: Bettina Maurer, Martin Hofmann Location: Anteroom of a small bank branch
Hairpin in the Card Slot — Martin pokes around the card slot with a hairpin in an attempt to solve the problem. Characters: Bettina Maurer, Martin Hofmann Location: Anteroom of a small bank branch

The ATM short-circuits, and the electronically secured door no longer opens. Bettina and Martin remain trapped as their attempts to get help fail.

Short Circuit Locks the Door — The ATM short-circuits, and the electronically secured door stops opening. Characters: Bettina Maurer, Martin Hofmann Location: Anteroom of a small bank branch
Help Attempts Fail — Bettina and Martin are trapped, and their attempts to get help fail. Characters: Bettina Maurer, Martin Hofmann Location: Anteroom of a small bank branch

Story Breakdown

Street Encounter — Bettina's journey begins with a traffic incident and her angry reaction.
- Car Cuts Bettina — A car cuts Bettina off as she crosses the street.
- Angry Outburst — Bettina shouts insults at the driver.
Midnight Withdrawal — Bettina visits a small bank branch shortly before midnight to withdraw money.
- Bank Anteroom — Bettina enters the bank's anteroom.
- Stuck Card — Her EC card gets stuck in the ATM.
Martin Arrives — Martin's arrival brings another hurried person into the ATM problem.
- Visitor from Berlin — Martin enters the anteroom while visiting from Berlin.
- In a Hurry — Martin is also in a hurry and wants to resolve the ATM issue quickly.
Attempted Repair — Martin tries to deal with the stuck card using a hairpin.
- Hairpin at Slot — Martin pokes around in the ATM's card slot with a hairpin.
- ATM Short Circuit — The ATM short-circuits after Martin's attempt.
Locked Anteroom — The malfunction affects the electronically secured door as well as the ATM.
- Door Stops Opening — The electronically secured door no longer opens.
- Both Trapped — Bettina and Martin are left stuck in the anteroom.
Failed Help Attempts — The two trapped characters try unsuccessfully to get help.
- Seeking Help — Bettina and Martin make attempts to get help.
- No Help Reached — Their attempts fail, leaving them trapped.