A former history teacher named Paul Lohman narrates the novel. With his wife Claire, he prepares for a dinner at an exclusive restaurant with another couple, Serge and Babette. Serge, Paul’s older brother, is a prominent Dutch politician and is currently the favorite to be the next Prime Minister. Though most people must book a table three months in advance, Serge has secured the reservation that day. Serge views this kind of ostentatious display as “a sport” (8).

Paul and Claire walk a few short blocks from their home to the restaurant. They pause outside a café, sharing a moment alone together. Such moment are, Paul believes, the “definition of happiness” (9). They enter the café and drink a beer together. Paul has been dreading the dinner, as he does every fixed appointment for the immediate future. Claire, smarter than Paul, reminds him that this evening is not like any other. The café is busy and not particularly fashionable. They talk about Michel, their son, who—Claire worries—has seemed strange recently. Claire thinks it might have something to do with girls but Paul remains quiet. He does not want to reveal what he knows. Paul has noticed that his son has plenty of interest in girls and has occasionally almost caught Michel and a girl in a compromising situation.