Lena Ogurtsova, who is to become Elena Bern, also known as Aunt Lena, is still a modest aspiring writer from a small town, who has been writing her first novel for many years, the publication of which is her only chance for freedom. She tries to break out of an abusive relationship with her husband, but, having found hope for a new life, becomes a victim of her idol.

200 years have passed after The Great War. The remnants of humanity live in the perfect One State. Despite an authoritarian system of serial numbers, uniforms, glass houses, and scheduled sex, happiness and harmony reign in the society.