Italian communist, Paolo, and American feminist, Lizzy spend the evening at their home. As Paolo focuses on work, ignoring Lizzy, a Greek chorus proclaims that the couple should never have married. The chorus recalls how the two journalists first met ten years ago in Italy: amongst a crowd of people, Lizzy and Paolo separately watch a religious parade. When Lizzy witnesses a man hitting a woman, she rushes over and knocks the man down with her purse, angering the man and some locals. When the man retaliates, Paolo comes to Lizzy’s rescue and helps her escape. They seek refuge in an ancient monastery and banter about politics, religion, and love. The female members of the Greek chorus reflect that the couple fell in love like Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, but their male counterparts point out that Romeo and Juliet’s relationship only worked because they were destined to die. If they had lived into adulthood and married, they would have grown to hate each other, just like most married couples. Overwhelmed by Lizzy’s beauty, Paolo professes his love and attempts to ravish her, but Lizzy fights him off and runs away. Sometime later, Lizzy runs into Paolo at the newspaper he works for, and he offers to buy her a drink. Paolo wants to see her again, but she refuses, stating she is returning to San Francisco, California. Paolo follows Lizzy to San Francisco and stalks her around town. Back in the present, Lizzy and Paolo put their daughter to bed. Paolo laments the strangeness of the girl and recalls a time when she begged to see his penis. As the couple gets ready for bed, Paolo complains that Lizzy works too much. The female Greek chorus comments that Paolo is sexist, and Lizzy should see other people. As a terrible storm rages outside, Lizzy fondly remembers falling in love with Paolo in San Francisco: one night, he follows her and her date, Jack, to a dance club. Later, as Lizzy and Jack kiss in the car, Paolo interrupts, dragging Lizzy out of the car and demanding that Jack leave. Paolo and Jack fight over Lizzy until the police arrest the men. After a friend bails Paolo out of jail, he and Lizzy have a sexual rendezvous before he returns to Italy. Back in the present, Paolo awakens from a nightmare and talks of his fears that industrialism is destroying the world. Lizzy is unsympathetic but he makes love to her to soothe his fears. During sex, the female Greek chorus believes there is no longer any love between the couple, and that their sex life is just “comfortable repetition.” Lizzy cries, telling Paolo to stop. Moments later, Lizzy brings Paolo wine and apologizes, blaming herself. Lizzy feels frustrated with work and wants to do something more meaningful. Paolo mockingly asks if she wants to do something “feminist,” which enrages Lizzy. In retaliation, she claims she has taken a lover. A loud, violent argument ensues. Paolo demands to know who other man is, but Lizzy confesses she lied. Paolo does not believe her and threatens to kill her. Lizzy runs outside into the storm, and Paolo gives chase. When a car almost hits Lizzy, Paolo pulls her to safety. Lizzy runs until she collapses into Paolo’s arms. When they return to the apartment, Lizzy insists they are both unhappy and says she wants to go away for a while. She believes getting married ruined their relationship. Paolo says he is not the one keeping her from pursuing her dreams, and she unfairly blames him. Lizzy agrees and suggests distance might help their relationship. Paolo sadly tells her he does not know what to do without her. He asks her if she is serious about leaving. Lizzy tells him not to think about it. They get in bed together and embrace, crying.