Juggling the sudden abduction of her childhood sweetheart as well as a blooming love affair, a French Manhattanite makes her way as an artist in an indifferent, sometimes hostile world.

Asya is a conceptual artist living in Manhattan, active in ex-patriot Middle Eastern politics and fearful of arrest for pro-Palestinian sympathies. Israel is shelling Beirut, her brother is there seeking escape. She meets Javier, from Mexico. They go to nightclubs, embrace in hallways, and begin a relationship. One of Asya's friends, who is to be married, believes her fiancé has been kidnapped - a rendition. Others are careful what they say in public. Aysa's mother organizes pro-Arab activities. A cab driver tells Asya to drop Javier and be with him. She receives word from Beirut. Can a person pursue art and a relationship while the imperialists are still alive?—<[email protected]>