German Kolenkin is an unremarkable employee. In his forties, he managed to acquire a barely visible bald spot, a solid belly, and also a complex about his short stature, carefully hidden from outsiders. Over the years, this complex has smoothed out a little, but has not completely disappeared. The physiologist Kurlov, who lives next door, tells Herman that he has invented a serum that improves neural connections between the arm muscles and the brain. After injection of the drug, a person gains the opportunity to completely control the actions of the arm muscles: any action will be performed by the test subject exactly as he mentally imagines it. According to Kurlov, his invention can turn any absolutely ordinary person into a brilliant artist or athlete (for example, a basketball player). Kolenkin does not believe his neighbor, but agrees to take the drug.