At a farm-equipment plant, production lags at 89 % and a new, untested combine proves a “failure” in the fields. A promising redesign exists, crafted by a transplanted West German engineer, but he’s mistrusted. Meanwhile, workers and the Party secretary blame plant director Berendonck’s poor leadership. As harvest season looms, personnel upheaval and swift action are needed to install the reliable new machine and get production back on track.