The Man Who Watched Trains Go By

Kees Popinga has worked for 18 years as a chief clerk and bookkeeper for a long-established trading company in Groningen. His life is stable and comfortable, but he feels unfulfilled and has never traveled far beyond Amsterdam. His daily routine revolves around his job and a love for trains.

Merkemans, who managed a company that went bankrupt due to embezzlement, pleads with Julius de Koster Jr. for a job. De Koster refuses because his company's reputation is too important to risk associating with scandal. Merkemans' request highlights the tension between integrity and desperation.

French police inspector Lucas arrives in Groningen to investigate suspicious Dutch money appearing illegally in Paris. He suspects the de Koster company but wants to verify the books to confirm any wrongdoing. His visit introduces the element of criminal investigation into the story.

Kees sees Julius de Koster kissing a woman, Michele Rozier, at a station. This maiden glimpse hints at potential personal scandals and secrets within de Koster's life, adding intrigue to the narrative.

Lucas questions Kees and de Koster regarding the woman and the company's finances, but de Koster lies. Kees begins to suspect his boss's involvement in illegal activities, marking the start of his internal conflict and growing paranoia.

That night, Kees discovers de Koster burning the company books, indicating an attempt to cover up illegal transactions or corruption. De Koster claims the firm will be bankrupt the next day. This act signifies a critical turning point in their criminal dealings.

De Koster attempts to commit suicide by jumping into a canal, but his briefcase falls open, revealing cash and a train ticket to Paris. The fake suicide note is exposed, and Kees realizes he has been manipulated. De Koster's fall results in a head injury, altering the course of events.

Kees finds the cash in the briefcase, including a ticket to Paris and the woman's address. He boards an international train heading toward Paris with the intention to escape his life and possible criminal entanglements. Lucas is present, suspecting Kees's involvement.

As the train approaches Paris, Kees jumps off and goes to Michele Rozier, but she dismisses him without knowing he carries the stolen money. Lucas explains Michele's connection to the case, but Kees remains unaware that de Koster is alive, deepening his confusion.

Michele wants the money and agrees to help Kees, seeking to escape her own circumstances. She helps him avoid police detection by following her to a friend named Louis, who promises fake papers for Kees to leave the country, setting up their risky escape plan.

Kees hides the stolen cash in an abandoned car near the train tracks, suspicious of everyone including Michele and Louis. Frustrated with hiding and feeling belittled, he begins to defy his situation by venturing into risky activities, such as going out on the town with Michele.

Kees's relationship with Michele deepens as he trusts her, but his reckless behavior escalates when he calls Lucas, taunts him, and reveals the location of the money. Michele then steals the money, prompting Kees to confront her with threats, revealing his descent into desperation.

Kees, at knifepoint in the garage, confronts Michele, threatening her life, and ultimately kills her. In his desperation, he runs onto the train tracks toward an approaching train, but it switches tracks at the last moment. He mumbles deliriously as the authorities, led by Lucas, arrest him.