The "extinct" volcanoes of Mauritius have suddenly erupted. The country is in ruins, and the first people to flee are the ministers! The story is mainly about a minister and his permanent secretary. They are on a ship that is taking them to Australia. The minister is very nostalgic about the wonderful life he's had in the government "serving" the people. He talks about his many trips abroad, the parties, his affair with a young journalist... He confesses that he is through with politics, and declares that he will never go back to his "ruined" country, "not even for a hundred million dollars", but then something quite unexpected happens...