A sceptical President Stepanov (Harry Enfield) accepts a plan to invite an envoy from wealthy neighbouring Uzgoristan in the hope of reaping headline-grabbing economic benefits to ingratiate his party with a disgruntled electorate. But everything starts going wrong when the envoy arrives days earlier than expected with preparations in chaos. Borovia's glamorous Minister of Foreign Affairs attempts to win him over with her charm, but all unravels as various ministers start plotting against each other for their own personal advancement rather than the intended common cause. Into the mix saunters Matrashka (Sue Johnston), the elderly cleaning lady who has dedicated herself to the Ministry for over 50 years. Pottering around stoically in the background, she is drawn into events as they reach crisis point. As a disastrous resolution approaches, it seems she might become an unlikely saviour as the apparently doomed situation reaches its climax.