The European country of Borland is governed by religious fundamentalists, and in 2090, women are now earthangels, wives, domestics, or labourers, their role being to serve and comfort men. Abel keeps his head down and hopes that his deviant thoughts won't be detected by the Eyes, or reported by the Ears. How can the dissident Lizzie help him, and how can he help her? Is his love for her doomed from the start?