The two main plots concern the fictional African state of Beninia (a name reminiscent of the real-life Benin, though that nation in the Bight of Benin was known as the Republic of Dahomey when the book was written) making a deal with General Technics to take over the management of their country, in a bid to speed up development from third world to first world status.
Cele două fire narative principale se referă la statul african fictiv Beninia (un nume care amintește de Benin din lumea noastră, deși la data scrierii cărții el era cunoscut sub numele de Dahomey), care face un târg cu General Technics de a prelua administrarea țării, pentru a-i accelera dezvoltarea de la stadiul lumii a treia la cel de țară dezvoltată.