Professor Q has a dull marriage, a lacklustre career, and a collection of antique dolls. Soon Q lands his crowning acquisition: a music box ballerina named Aliss, who springs to life. Q embarks on a love affair with Aliss, oblivious to the sinister forces and events encroaching on his city. Secrets and shape-shifting geographies lace this anti-fairytale of life under repressive conditions.