A satirical take on the German tradition which became known as “Lebenstreppe” or “Stufenalter” — "The Steps of Life" — in which the course of a person's life is shown in divisble stages, ascending and then descending steps. In this example it is the life of a drunkard. Step 1. A glass with a friend. Step 2. A glass to keep the cold out. Step 3. A glass too much. Step 4. Drunk and riotous. Step 5. The summit attained. Jolly companions. A confirmed drunkard. Step 6. Poverty and disease. Step 7. Forsaken by Friends. Step 8. Desperation and crime. Step 9. Death by suicide.