While Shakespeare was alive, aristocrats indulged in refined nonsense, while ordinary plebeians listened to his brilliant plays for pennies. Attempts to separate William from the masses have been ongoing for 400 years—genius must be expensive and inaccessible. But all these efforts are futile: Shakespeare is indisputable proof of the depth and power of trash culture (trash): he staged his plays for pennies, stole plots from others, and deepened their impact with sex and violence (he figured out to make Juliet a minor, which his predecessors Bandello and Brooke did not do). He did not care about the sets, costumes, quality of acting, or comfort of the audience.

The beautiful Maria is accused of murdering her lover. Lipstick on his shirt, fingerprints on the gun, and perfume on the pillow—all the evidence points to her guilt. Only the perceptive Inspector Clouseau is convinced that the girl is innocent. He releases her from custody and tries to keep an eye on her. To the inspector's disappointment, the murders continue, and each time the evidence points to Maria again.