Offred thinks deeply about history and women's rights. She sits next to the latin words engraved into the floor.
Section 4:
Soul Scrolls-Night-Jezabels
The next morning, Cora comes in to serve breakfast. She thinks that Offred has killed herself and drops the tray and screams. She had seen it before since she was the person who had found the corpse of the last handmaid. She is relieved to find out that Offred was only sleeping and tells Rita she dropped the tray by accident.
The commander and Offred have a system now. If Nick does not have a hat on or if it is tilted, he wants to see her. If it is normal, then she shouldn't come. These meetings confuse Offred because the commander does not try to make any moves on her. He justs wants to play scrabble. He lets her see an old Vogue magazine. She asks him for hand lotion and tells him how the handmaids use the butter. He agrees but she is not allowed to keep it in her room. It must stay in the office. She goes to bed.
When it comes to the mating ritual time of month, Offred struggles knowing that there is something going on between her and the commander and she can't say anything because Serena Joy is there. The commander almost gives things away when he touches her face during the sex. Luckily, Serena Joy did not see.
Offred and Ofglen walk to the wall. Every time Offred sees it she remembers that behind it is a prison and interigation center. She wonders if Luke is there now or has he ever been before. Offred and Offgeln go to a shop called Soul Scrolls. Here, machienes print out prayers. Many wives order theses prayers because it is considered a "sign of piety"
On there way home, they witness a blue van used by eyes stop dead in it's tracks. Two eyes get out and grab a man holding a briefcase. Ofglen and Offred are stunned. The van drives off as if nothing happened.
Moira has always voiced her opinion when it came to Offred's affair with Luke. She disagreed even though Offred accepted her for being a lesbian. They were still best friends.
Compucards are used instead of real money. They are like credit cards for everyday use. One day at work, Offred tried to use her card but she kept on having problems. Her boss came in later that day and announced to everyone that they all have lost their jobs and that if they didn't leave the eyes were posted to kill them...and him. It was now the law. This furriated Offred so as soon as she came home she called Moira. This is when she found out the terrible news. Women can no longer work or own property. All of her money and belongings now went to Luke.
As she comes back from a walk, She notices that Nicks hat is tilted. On her way to meet the commander, she thinks of what Nick gets from helping out the commander. and not telling Serena Joy. After there game, Offred asks the commander what the latin phrase she saw on her floor ment. He laughs telling her that it is an old school boy joke.
That night, Offred thinks of the day that her family left Gilead. They didn't pack anything since they were in a hurry. They didn't tell anyone or leave any signs that they were leaving for good. Luke killed their pet cat so that it wouldn't starve or give them away... whichever one came first. They didn't get too far. Someone reported them. It could have been anyone.
Offred and Ofglen find two new bodies on the wall. One is Catholic but the other one has a bold J written on it's chest. They were not sure what he was. Ofglen explains to Offred that "mayday" is a password a group of handmaids use to see who you are. When they get home, Nicks hat is tilted again but before offred can walk inside, Serena calls for her from under a tree. Offred holds wool for her as she knits. Serena asks her how the conception is comming along. When she hears that it has failed again, she suggests that Offred have sex with another man but not to tell anyone. Serena Joy makes arrangements for Offred to sleep with Nick. Serena genorously gives Offred a cigarette and tells her to ask Rita for a match. Offred gets one but decides to save the cigarette for later.
Offred, Ofglen, and all the other handmaids attend a Prayvaganza. This is an group of arranged marrages usually for the wive's daughters. Handmaids use this event to get the scoop on what's going on.. This is where Offred hears that Janine's baby was no good. She had used a doctor to get pregnant.
Luke and Offred finally made it to the border. when they were at the guard's station, Luke gave the man their passes. Luke's unfortunately doesn't say that he was divorced from his previous wife. Luke saw the guard look at it suspiciously and pick up the phone. Luke quickly crashed through the barrier. All they cold do now is run.
Serena joy brought a picture of Offred's daughter to her later that night. She promised that she would. Offred believs that she is not in her daughter's life anymore. She had to have forgotten her mother.
Offred sees the commander. He is extremely drunk. He gives her a colorful outfit made of feathers and sequins. He has made plans to take her out. He gives her Serena Joy's winter coats to wear. Nick drives them to their destination. The commander helps her out and gives her a purple tag to wear. Offred has no idea where she is or what will happen. Once she is inside, she recognises it as an old hotel. If fact, her and Luke had met here a few times. She sees many women dressed as she is. The commander informs her that she shouldn't tell anyone about the club because it is forbidden.
A little while later, Offred sees Moira. they signal to meet each other in there usual spot in 5 minutes. She then tells Moira how the commander brought her here. Moira tells her adventure after excaping. Moira had met a quaker couple who just so happened to be a part of an underground chain that helps people like her excape. This chain worked until she was caught on her way to a boat from her last safehouse. They gave her two options. Go to the colonies or come here to the hotel to be a prostitute. Moira chose the hotel after watching grusome footage of the colonies. This meeting was the last time Offred saw Moira.
The commander took her into a room. It reminds her of her escapade with Luke. She asks the commander if she can be excused. She sits in the bathroom and thinks about Moira and her mother. When she comes out, she is surprised to see how much older he looks as he's sprawled across the bed without clothes on. For some reason he looks different then he usually does. He takes her home before midnight.
Section 5:
Night- Salvaging-Night:
Nick and Offred see each other much more then Serena Joy had intended. Offred tells him all her secrets but never mentions her husband. She is always excited to see Nick and is even more excited to tell him that she thinks she is pregnant.
Ofglen tries to convince Offred that the commander is up to something. She thinks Offred should break into his office to see if he's hiding anything. Soon after, there is a Salvaging of women. All women must go to this. There is a stage set up in front of the library. A wife and two handmaids sit still in chairs on the stage. They will be hung due to crimes they have committed. Aunt Lydia leads the salvaging but has decided not to read out loud the crimes because of the history of "copycat" crimes. After this all the handmaids are told to make a circle. A scraggly guardian is dragged into the circle as Aunt Lydia explains a crime that he has commited. He and a fellow guardian were caught for rape of a handmaid who was pergnant. His friend was already shot for the crime. This news furriated the women. They are allowe to beat him. Ofglen gets into it and starts kicking him in the head. She kicks him unconscious. Later on, Ofglen reveals to Offred that she was also a part of the Underground "rebellion".
Offred can't wait to see Ofglen for their shopping trip. To her surprise, Ofglen doesn't show up. Another women shows up in her place. Offred asks to go to the wall. The three women from earlier are hanging there. Offred must know if this new Ofglen is apart of the rebellion so she sneaks the password mayday into their talk. The new Ofglen doesn't belong to the rebellion but knows of it. Just as they are about to go their seperate ways, The new Ofglen tells Offred that the old one was figured out. Offred knows that she is now in danger because Offglen (old one) will be interrigated and Offred will be brought up. The new Ofglen relieves offred by letting her know that ofglen hung herself before the van came.
When Offred gets back to the house, she does not look at Nick even though he is trying to get her attention. Serena Joy comes out with the Blue winter coat and sequined outfit. Offred is confronted. Serena calls her a slut and warns her that she will end up like the other handmaid...dead. Offred calmly walks to her room.
She thinks of ways to kill herself. Maybe she could burn down he house. She suddenly hears the van of Eyes pull up. Her stomach jumps. Nick walks into her room. He tells her that it is ok and to go with the men. They are Mayday. She has no choice but to listen to him. Serena Joy is furious. She did not call them. She demands to know why Offred is being taken even though she was about to call someone to remove her.Offred goes to the van. What happens to her after this... no one knows.