Paul, a literary translator, receives a telegram telling him of a suicide attempt by his estranged wife, Sonya, who lives in Honq Kong. On his arrival there Paul meets Sandy, a cousin of Sonya, and the following morning they visit the hospital where Sonya is hovering between life and death. Paul also meets Anya and renews a friendship which started in their student days at University. Paul has lunch with his daughter Amanda and he explains to her what his work as a translator consists of.

That evening Paul takes Sandy to dine with a lawyer he met on the flight to Hong Kong, and a heated discussion on life and money takes place, Later that night, Sandy telephones Paul to tell him of Sonya's death, and in his distress he turns to Anya for solace. In the morning they part, having little more to say to one another. Paul then tells Sandy of his decision to leave Hong Kong, and later that day she asks him to spend the night with her. At daybreak Paul leaves; Sandy stays seated in an armchair facing She new day while she looks out on the bay of Hong Kong. They have spoken of the future that might have been theirs, a Utopian dream, that for the moment, and even for the future, can only come in flashes like this, their brief encounter.

Found on a 12th century Chinese mirror:

'You have your journey, l my sadness. The day of your going is fixed, but not the time of your return.'