 A judge in an unnamed country interviews three actors, together and singly, provoking them while investigating a pornographic performance for which they may face a fine. Their relationships are complicated: Sebastian, volatile, a heavy drinker, in debt, guilty of killing his former partner, is having an affair with that man s wife. She is Thea, high strung, prone to fits, and seemingly fragile, currently married to Sebastian s new partner, Hans. Hans is the troupe leader, wealthy, self-contained, growing tired. The judge plays on the trio s insecurities, but when they finally, in a private session with him, perform the masque called The Rite, they may have their revenge