However, things don’t go according to the plan and Maria suddenly finds herself in the middle of a world of darkness, violence and torture in the war-torn country of Illyria.
Maria meets her translator Magda, who tells her about the country and how it used to be, while they travel in a car to her supposed destination.
Three soldiers named Violent, Obseno and Fabian come in and notice the foreign Maria; then they observe the house and have a conversation about signs of war on it.
Madame appears to be a vain person, who only seems to be interested in her looks and in her love for the Generalissimo – she does not seem to notice or care that the citizens of Illyria hate her.
The bureaucrats Lapin and Conrad appear to have an affair and have sex, while the soldiers Violent and Obseno secretly watch them.
Meanwhile, Maria tries to explain to Fabian that she has been brought to the wrong place and also tells him about her personal life, also mentioning that she is pregnant after she had to puke in front of him.
Portraits of the Generalissimo and flags are put up everywhere, while the servant women take care of Madame, dressing her in beautiful, sexual clothes.
Maria is also approached by the other soldiers (Violent, Obseno and Fabian), but when she tells them she’s ‘a journalist, British, protected, an official and pregnant, she’s left alone.
Madame and the others start to read books by famous authors about happy endings, new beginnings and peace.
In the end, Madame comments that she has been idle and lazy before, but that she is now ready for a new beginning, while the other Illyrians stay by her side.