Vladimir, a Russian immigrant in Cuba, meets Natasha, who is also Russian, in his friend Abel's apartment building. She broke her leg during a dance and needs help to pick up her crutches. Abel sells black market phone cards and writes for the underground newspaper. Vladimir has tried to write a novel for many years but has had no success. Every time Vladimir visits Abel for a new phone card, he also visits Natasha and one day they begin dating. They sneak into an abandoned Campoamor theatre and have sex. Vladimir is also involved with another woman, Lily, who is eight years older than him. Lily's husband works in Florida and sends her money, but hopes that one day he can bring Lily and their daughter to the U.S. When government officials knock on Natasha's door one day and offer $50,000 to relocate, Vladimir and Natasha think about using the money to get to the U.S. Abel plans to move to a nicer part of town. Vladimir and Natasha pass the Campoamor, but the government has sealed it off completely. Vladimir and Natasha decide to get married and move to Florida. That night, he sleeps with Lily for the last time before he returns to Natasha's arms.