In a small town in 19th-century Macau, the wealthy but reclusive merchant Mr. Clay is determined to bring to life an old sailor's legend, which he recently discovered through his loyal servant, Elishama Levinsky. The legend tells of a sailor who is paid by a rich man to sleep with the man's wife. To turn this story into reality, Mr. Clay enlists Elishama to find a young sailor who can play the part of the legend's protagonist. They eventually locate a penniless, inexperienced sailor willing to participate for a sum of money, unaware of the intricate manipulation he's involved in.

To complete his plan, Mr. Clay seeks out Virginie, a desperate and financially-strained woman who has a history with him. Virginie reluctantly agrees to pose as the wife in exchange for monetary compensation. As the night unfolds, layers of deception and longing blur the lines between reality and fiction. Through this strange reenactment, the profound desires and emotional voids of each character start to unravel, leading to an intersection of fate and personal revelation.