The play takes place in the USSR in 1930. The inventor of Miracles is about to turn on the time machine he designed. He explains to his friend Bicyclebikin the whole importance of this invention: you can stop the second of happiness and enjoy the month, you can "shake the stretched, viscous years of grief." Bicycle bike suggests using a time machine to reduce boring reports and raise chickens in incubators. Chudakov is offended by the practicality of Bicyclebike. The Englishman Pont Kich appears, who is interested in the invention of Chudakov, accompanied by the translator Mezalyansova. Chudakov innocently explains to him the design of the machine, Pont Kich writes something in a notebook, then offers the inventor money. Bicyclekin claims that there is money, sends the guest away, quietly pulling a notebook out of his pocket, and explains to the perplexed Chudakov that there is no money, but he will get it at all costs. Eccentrics turns on the car, an explosion is heard. Chudakov grabs a letter written "fifty years ago." The letter says that tomorrow a messenger from the future will come to them.
Chudakov and Bicyclebike are seeking an appointment with Pobedonosikov, the chief approval manager (Glavnachpups), trying to get money to continue the experience. However, Pobedonosikov’s secretary, Optimistenko, doesn’t let them go to the authorities, presenting them with a ready resolution - refuse. Pobedonosikov himself at this time dictates to the typist a speech on the occasion of the opening of a new tram line; interrupted by a phone call, continues to dictate a fragment about the “bear feather” Leo Tolstoy, interrupted for the second time, dictates a phrase about “Alexander Semenich Pushkin, an unsurpassed author of both the opera Eugene Onegin and the play of the same name.” The artist Belvedonsky comes to Pobedonosikov, whom he instructed to pick up furniture. Belvedonsky, explaining to Pobedonosikov that “styles come in different Louie”, invites him to choose from three “Louie”. Pobedonosikov chooses furniture in the style of Louis XIV, but advises Belvedonsky to "straighten the legs, remove the gold and scatter the Soviet coat of arms here and there." Then Belvedonsky paints a portrait of Pobedonosikov on horseback.
Pobedonosikov is going to rest, disguised as a stenographer, taking Mezalyansova with him. His wife, Paul, whom he considers much lower than himself, who has climbed the "mental, social, and apartment ladder," wants to go with him, but he refuses her.
On the site in front of Pobedonosikov’s apartment, Bicycle bike and Chudakov bring a car that explodes with firework fire. In her place there is a Phosphoric woman - a delegate from 2030. She was sent by the Institute for the History of the Birth of Communism in order to select the best representatives of this time for transfer to the communist age. A phosphoric woman is delighted with what she saw during a brief round-trip of the country; she invites everyone to prepare for the transfer to the future, explaining that the future will be accepted by everyone who has at least one trait related to the collective of the commune - the joy of working, the thirst for sacrifice, the tirelessness of inventing, the benefit of giving, pride in humanity. Flying time will sweep away and cut off "ballast weighed down by rubbish, ballast devastated by unbelief."
Fields tells the Phosphoric woman that her husband prefers others to her - more educated and intelligent. Pobedonosikov is concerned that Fields "did not take dirty linen out of the hut." The Phosphoric woman speaks to the typist Underderton, who was fired by Pobedonosikov for painting her lips (“To whom?” The Phosphoric woman wonders. “Yes to yourself!” Replies Underton. “If they had come for more information, then they could have said - visitors are offended, ”the guest from the future perplexed). Pobedonosikov declares to the Phosphoric woman that he is going to go to the future only at the request of the collective, and invites her to provide him with a position in the future corresponding to his current situation. Then he notices that the others are much less worthy people: Bicyclekin smokes, Chudakov drinks, Fields are a philistine. “But they work,” the Phosphoric woman objects.
Final preparations are underway for shipment to the future. Phosphoric woman gives orders. Chudakov and Bicycle bike with assistants perform them. Sounds the March of time with the refrain “Go ahead, time! / Time forward!"; under his sounds, passengers enter the stage. Pobedonosikov demands a lower place in the compartment. A phosphoric woman explains that everyone will have to stand: the time machine is not yet fully equipped. Pobedonosikov is indignant. A worker appears, pushing the trolley with the belongings of Pobedonosikov and Mezalyansova. Pobedonosikov explains that the luggage contains circulars, letters, copies, abstracts, extracts and other documents that he needs in the future.
Pobedonosikov begins a solemn speech dedicated to “inventing the time apparatus in his apparatus,” but Chudakov twists it, and Pobedonosikov, continuing to gesticulate, becomes inaudible. The same thing happens with Optimistenko. Finally, the Phosphoric Woman commands: “One, two, three!” - a Bengal explosion is heard, then - darkness. On the stage are Pobedonosikov, Optimistenko, Belvedon, Mezalyansova, Pont Kich, “thrown off and scattered by the ferris wheel of time”.
