The play begins with Dalang introducing everyone to the play. He apologizes for any satire that appears and explains that this form of theatre doesn't break the law and is a healthy element in society. A Chorus of machines enter followed by Ambassadors from Western countries which have come to Indonesia in order to exploit it for its natural resources.
We then meet the Naga tribe, led by Abisavam. We learn that they have preserved their land as sacred and are keeping it that way by not allowing outsiders to purchase any plot of their land. We learn that they are in the process of preparing the field for planting. Abisavam's son Abivara returns to the village with his friend Carlos, who is a journalist. The two met while Abivara studied overseas at a Western university. We learn that Abivara wants to become a leader and not simply a man of influence and status. His desire is to preserve the ways of the Naga tribe and continue to learn how to create lasting progress rather than fall into the current trapped of creating a facade of progress while the people of Indonesia are not being helped.
The next character to emerge is the Queen of Astinam (which is the fake name given for Indonesia in the play in order to adhere to the reality of censorship), Sri Ratu. She meets with the Prime Minister and Colonel Srenggi and later the President of Parliament. They talk of progress and the need to keep up with these western cultures, but their idea of doing this is building shopping malls (where no one can afford the rental price), and one high-end hospital (which only the elite can afford). These characters are only after their ego being served as they seek to be just like Western cultures by taking on multi-billion dollar loans from them and driving their country into debt.
This leads to a character named Mr. Joe who comes to Sri Ratu asking for her to allow the Big Boss' company to take control of their copper mines. He bribes her with a diamond said to be worth one million dollars. She agrees and the Naga people are told they will have to deal with the fact that a city will be built around and on their sacred ground. Abisavam is unable to negotiate with the government leader who comes to their village with a truck load of soldiers as the leader won't listen to Abisavam; he only desires that Abisavam bend to the will of Sri Ratu. The play ends with Carlos' passport being revoked as he has been sending stories about the tribe being pushed out by government to Western newspapers; and Abisavam speaking of how they have done no wrong, yet are forced to leave their sacred land. That disaster and good fortune have become the same.
