The Americans are visiting Carmen when Else, one of Carmen's younger women, has a serious accident in the factory hall. Birthe and Axel must now do everything they can to ensure that no one discovers the lack of safety for Carmen's employees before the Americans have signed the big contract. It's not easy, however, as Else's mother, neighbor Vita and the press are more than ready to confront Axel and ruin the big business adventure.

A construction fault means that Carmen Curlers must withdraw all orders from around the world. The production stoppage forces Birthe to send all of Carmen's ladies home without pay, while Axel and Frans travel to Switzerland to collect a spare part. Birthe is temporarily appointed as director, much to the frustration of Jørgen, who is tired of being alone on the farm so much. The daughter Kathrine falls in love, and at the mental sanatorium Poul is introduced to the new wonder drug LSD.