ACT I.
Scene 1. (Dawn)
While the Controller watches the skies, the Refugee watches the goddess-like Controller who looks with scorn upon the reckless hurry of the mortals beneath her. A strange relationship develops between them: he is fascinated by her and the planes she controls. She finds him the only interesting person among her passengers, chiefly because he is an illegal alien with a mystery of his own—and is not going anywhere. People start to arrive. Bill and Tina hope to enliven their marriage with a second honeymoon and a book on relationships; an Older Woman is meeting a much younger lover who will arrive on Wednesday—but which Wednesday? The Steward and Stewardess, always crossing the world on their different routes, seize every opportunity to advance their torrid affair. The anxious and pregnant wife of a diplomat on his way to Minsk finds it impossible to take off with her husband, who leaves without her. The prowling Immigration Officer is a constant threat to the Refugee, but the passengers refuse to help when the Refugee begs their assistance. Finally a storm strands everyone—just like the Refugee.

ACT II.
Scene 2. (That Night)
The electrical storm is raging, grounding all aircraft. The storm rages in the hearts of the passengers as well, as relationships build and clash. The Controller, unable to control the weather, can hardly control her own frustration. The Refugee insinuates himself with the women in his own strange way, giving each a “magic stone” which he promises will solve all their problems. The flight attendants try to contain the rising tensions by carrying out the duties they would have performed in the air. Eventually everyone settles down to sleep. This is the cue for Bill—accused by Tina of being insufficiently adventurous—to attempt an illicit relationship with the Stewardess, which turns out to be not quite as he expected! Meanwhile, feeling betrayed by the Refugee, the women knock him unconscious with their stones and pile his body in a trunk.

ACT IlI.
Scene 1. (Dawn)
The skies are clear again, but tempers are still frayed and feelings hurt as various contretemps are revealed by the light of day. Bill’s peccadillo is exposed and Tina knocks him unconscious with the book she hoped would revitalize their marriage. The Minskman returns just as his wife gives birth to their child. Simultaneously other hopes are reborn: the Refugee is discovered alive in the trunk, and when Bill regains consciousness as an amnesiac, Tina finds a new way (not found in the book!) for them to start over. When the Immigration Officer finally catches up with the Refugee, the others are now willing to render the assistance they had refused before the emotional storms had cleared the air. When finally revealed, the Refugee’s tragic story inspires the Immigration Officer to turn a blind eye, and life continues…

adapted from Colin Graham’s synopsis for Boston Lyric Opera

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