From an early age in Germany, Kitty Schmidt had lived a life of hardship. Her father had brutally murdered her mother, forcing Kitty to live with her aged grandparents. Her grandfather died and to finance his burial, Kitty had to have sex with the undertaker. This opened the door to her life as a prostitute. It was a journey of poverty, triumph, and evolution; not that of a savvy businesswoman. Her reputation grew.

When Kitty attempted to leave Nazi Germany, the Gestapo made a deal with her. Manage a bordello for their hierarchy or go to a concentration camp. They wired her bordello so they could eavesdrop on every officer, diplomat, and foreign dignitary that passed through her door. Every word was recorded and passed to the authorities.

A modern-day Berliner stumbles upon her story, and he reads it during breaks from remodeling the building that housed her bordello. In doing so, he contrasts his life with hers.