Toomas Joller has been an actor for twenty years. Joller is popular and has been awarded the honorary title of People's Artist. But Joller's star is gradually fading. He becomes egoistic and self-centered, his performances remain superficial. An actor's internal combustion requires hot water, which Joller uses in abundance together with his friend, the comedy actor Ruts.

Eesti Televisiooni esimene mängufilm ehk NSV Liidu esimene telemängufilm valmis Voldemar Panso samanimelise jutustuse järgi.