A spacecraft lands in a London park in 2038. After a while the A.I. inside introduces itself as an Alien Ambassador, come to help mankind out of the fix it's in. He offers advanced alien know-how and the prime minister and US President make a deal. Two scientists, Shirl and Alex, are assigned as go-betweens and become entangled with each-other and the Alien Ambassador. They agree to help him to become independent and to change the world for the better. Their task is formidable and takes a very long time.

They remain together throughout, going through many changes along the way, each more dramatic than the last. Their story is a tragi-comedy, like reality itself.