the famous physicist olivier loos compares his life with that of the loafer tobias vlek, he knows from his youth. as time goes by his appreciation for tobias vlek grows, realizing how he had failed in meeting his own expectations. his opposition against albert einstein met resistance with settled reputes and damaged his career. therefore he chose for safer subjects due to sense of duty for his family. the adventurous life of tobias vlek appeals more and more to his imagination. less welcome steps in love affairs fade; being a debauchee takes on a heroic significance. with-out tobias vlek the world wouldn’t be the same and judith cannemeijer, a woman he worshipped in his youth, should have fallen into a bitter fate.