The Handmaid’s Tale Chapter 14: Is It Bad Enough Yet? | Banned Books Comedy

1
00:00:03,772.5454545455 --> 00:00:05,92.5454545455
Welcome to Bandcamp.

2
00:00:05,132.5454545455 --> 00:00:13,407.818181818
I'm Jennifer And I'm Dan, and this is the podcast where we read banned books out loud and try to figure out why they were banned in the first place.

3
00:00:16,454.545454545 --> 00:00:26,214.545454545
This season we're reading The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, and you could consider this a quick spoiler warning because Jennifer is about to start reading from the book out loud word for word.

4
00:00:26,584.545454545 --> 00:00:29,574.545454545
But if you're new here, you can jump in right here.

5
00:00:29,574.545454545 --> 00:00:30,644.544454545
You're gonna be fine.

6
00:00:30,654.544454545 --> 00:00:33,184.544454545
We're gonna get you up to speed real quick.

7
00:00:33,564.545454545 --> 00:00:36,864.544454545
And if anything feels confusing, don't worry.

8
00:00:37,238.181818182 --> 00:00:42,538.179818182
I can almost guarantee we're gonna be confused too because we've never read the book either.

9
00:00:42,618.180818182 --> 00:00:45,68.181818182
That's kinda what makes Band Camp unique.

10
00:00:45,498.180818182 --> 00:00:52,128.179818182
But that is also why we have ourselves a secret weapon, and we are going to roll him in here right now.

11
00:00:52,168.182818182 --> 00:00:54,748.182818182
That's right, it's a him, and it's got wheels.

12
00:00:55,68.179818182 --> 00:00:56,598.180818182
Buddy boy, roll it in here.

13
00:00:58,669.089909091 --> 00:01:07,581.061733003
Look everyone, we've got ourselves a fact-checking robot, and he is going to fill you in on where we left off in the last episode so you don't get confused.

14
00:01:09,479.061733003 --> 00:01:10,949.061733003
Previously on Band Camp.

15
00:01:11,459.061733003 --> 00:01:15,889.061733003
They made a room full of women chant at a 14-year-old gang rape victim that it was her fault.

16
00:01:16,379.061733003 --> 00:01:19,539.060733003
After one week, the girl stopped fighting it and started agreeing.

17
00:01:20,19.061733003 --> 00:01:21,729.061733003
Aunt Lydia called her an example.

18
00:01:22,149.061733003 --> 00:01:26,499.061733003
I would like to call Aunt Lydia something else, but I have been asked to keep it professional.

19
00:01:27,479.061733003 --> 00:01:33,439.060733003
Anyhoo, it's a strange thing when every object in a room is accounted for, and one of them is breathing.

20
00:01:34,99.060733003 --> 00:01:35,469.061733003
Take it away, Jennifer.

21
00:01:36,740.039186533 --> 00:01:37,670.039186533
thank you, robot.

22
00:01:37,700.039186533 --> 00:02:02,128.29279485
And with that being said, scary book people, let's start chapter 14 of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale When the bell has finished, I descend the stairs, a brief waif in the eye of glass that hangs on the downstairs wall The clock ticks with its pendulum, keeping time.

23
00:02:02,518.29279485 --> 00:02:05,648.29279485
My feet in their neat red shoes count the way down.

24
00:02:06,662.86155189 --> 00:02:08,732.86155189
The sitting room door is wide open.

25
00:02:09,162.86155189 --> 00:02:09,862.86155189
I go in.

26
00:02:10,112.86055189 --> 00:02:12,172.86055189
So far, no one else is here.

27
00:02:12,632.86155189 --> 00:02:23,261.6245545
I don't sit, but take my place, kneeling near the chair with the footstool where Serena Joy will shortly enthrone herself, leaning on her cane while she lowers herself down.

28
00:02:23,866.67992048 --> 00:02:25,136.67892048
Getting ready for a show.

29
00:02:25,297.952672 --> 00:02:44,680.13261805
So sh- Serena Joy is gonna be present It sounds like she's gonna kick her feet up on, put her feet up on that footstool and sit back and, what a and gross society Possibly she'll put a hand on my shoulder to steady herself, as if I'm a piece of furniture.

30
00:02:45,60.13261805 --> 00:02:46,340.13261805
She's done it before.

31
00:02:47,436.90042894 --> 00:02:51,765.42642894
The sitting room would once have been called the drawing room, then a living room.

32
00:02:51,952.0920956 --> 00:02:55,412.0930956
Or maybe it's a parlor, the kind with a spider and flies.

33
00:02:56,585.88726341 --> 00:03:01,45.88726341
But now it's officially a sitting room because that's what's done in it by some.

34
00:03:01,545.88726341 --> 00:03:03,945.88726341
For others, they're standing room only.

35
00:03:04,255.88726341 --> 00:03:07,315.88726341
The posture of the body is important here and now.

36
00:03:08,666.26523155 --> 00:03:14,451.68138532
are instructive Do you know what's going on here? I, I mean, I don't wanna be gross.

37
00:03:14,461.68138532 --> 00:03:25,410.98303049
All Is this going into Kama Sutra territory? Should they take this down to the Ace Hotel? you just said that because it's called a sitting room because that is what is done in it.

38
00:03:25,420.98403049 --> 00:03:29,474.19564701
So we know that someone sits, but she also said someone stands.

39
00:03:29,484.19864701 --> 00:03:31,454.19764701
So does the governor, not the governor.

40
00:03:31,734.19864701 --> 00:03:34,214.19764701
What this, what's this a-hole's name? The commander.

41
00:03:34,664.19764701 --> 00:03:48,88.95860894
Commander Does the commander stand, the Handmaid kneels, and Serena Joy just lowers herself down with a cane on that cuck chair to take in a show Uh, yeah, I think you're right.

42
00:03:48,188.95860894 --> 00:04:02,68.40233675
I think it's preparing us mentally you and I need more mental preparation for this world than the handmaid who is now kneeling in front of a cuck chair The sitting room is subdued, symmetrical.

43
00:04:02,498.40233675 --> 00:04:15,85.02832612
It's one of the shapes money takes when it freezes Money has trickled through this room for years and years, as if through an underground cavern, and hardening like stalactites into those forms.

44
00:04:15,415.02532612 --> 00:04:18,454.02632612
Mutely the varied surfaces present themselves.

45
00:04:18,474.02632612 --> 00:04:21,282.50922495
The dusk rose velvet of the drawn drapes.

46
00:04:21,592.50622495 --> 00:04:23,512.50822495
The gloss of the matching chairs.

47
00:04:23,672.50722495 --> 00:04:30,583.15396856
18th century, the cow's tongue hush of the tufted Chinese rug on the floor with its peach pink peonies.

48
00:04:30,663.15396856 --> 00:04:32,953.15296856
The suave leather of the commander's chair.

49
00:04:33,273.15496856 --> 00:04:35,883.15296856
The glint of brass on the box beside it."

50
00:04:36,81.71997438 --> 00:04:39,840.71797438
she's got all these things about, quote, "civilized society."

51
00:04:39,960.71797438 --> 00:04:46,170.54719357
So I like how she's setting this up because I think some beastly things are about to happen.

52
00:04:47,39.88810848 --> 00:04:48,659.88710848
The rug is authentic.

53
00:04:48,889.88810848 --> 00:04:51,969.79161478
Some things in this room are authentic, some are not.

54
00:04:53,239.88810848 --> 00:04:58,849.88710848
For instance, two paintings, both of women, one on either side of the fireplace.

55
00:04:59,359.88810848 --> 00:05:04,277.2527848
Both wear dark dresses like the ones in the old church, though of a later date.

56
00:05:04,535.24024963 --> 00:05:06,765.23924963
The paintings are possibly authentic.

57
00:05:07,115.24024963 --> 00:05:20,108.57458296
I suspect that when Serena Joy acquired them, after it became obvious to her that she'd have to redirect her energies into something convincingly domestic, she had the intention of passing them off as ancestors."

58
00:05:21,415.23924963 --> 00:05:22,571.90691629
So that's not authentic.

59
00:05:22,658.57358296 --> 00:05:24,208.57158296
she doesn't have ancestors.

60
00:05:24,268.57258296 --> 00:05:31,381.91775416
She just bought these She's creating her own backstory There's no way of knowing such things.

61
00:05:31,431.91775416 --> 00:05:43,919.64860593
In any case, there they hang, their backs and mouths stiff, their breasts constricted, their faces pinched, their caps starched, their skin grayish white, guarding the room with their narrowed eyes.

62
00:05:44,988.02356395 --> 00:05:58,152.1264581
Between them, over the mantel, there's an oval mirror flanked by two pairs of silver candlesticks with a white china Cupid centered between them, China! Its arm around the neck of a lamb.

63
00:05:59,222.29268362 --> 00:06:06,642.29168362
The tastes of Serena Joy are a strange blend, hard lust for quality, soft sentimental cravings.

64
00:06:07,102.79987704 --> 00:06:15,918.05268362
There's a dried flower arrangement on either side of the mantelpiece and a vase of real daffodils on the polished marquetry end table beside the sofa.

65
00:06:16,257.96897535 --> 00:06:21,399.88189454
Jennifer, you are a uterus that must have sex with the commander.

66
00:06:21,719.88089454 --> 00:06:22,979.88189454
You are in this room.

67
00:06:23,19.88189454 --> 00:06:36,793.88189454
What are your thoughts right now? Are you happy? Does this put you in the mood? Does it freak you out? What are you thinking? Well, s- that's actually a really sad question 'cause she's not supposed to be thinking any of this.

68
00:06:36,943.55047145 --> 00:06:39,73.55047145
Like, she's not even supposed to be a person.

69
00:06:39,113.55047145 --> 00:06:45,799.92218695
I know you're asking me that question to be funny, and I, I wanna answer it in a funny way, but it just points out to me that, she isn't just a thing.

70
00:06:46,89.92218695 --> 00:06:47,209.92218695
She is a person.

71
00:06:47,336.2590557 --> 00:06:50,956.2590557
you just made me more depressed than I was in the last episode.

72
00:06:51,196.2590557 --> 00:06:52,246.2590557
I mean, you're right.

73
00:06:52,256.2580557 --> 00:07:01,376.2580557
She, she isn't supposed to be thinking about this stuff, but how can you not think about this, quote, "stuff?" Because now she is one of the stuff.

74
00:07:02,564.32147887 --> 00:07:15,860.54416384
the room smells of lemon oil, heavy cloth, fading daffodils, the leftover smells of cooking that have made their way from the kitchen or the dining room, and of Serena Joy's perfume, Lily of the Valley.

75
00:07:16,943.38303484 --> 00:07:18,533.38403484
Perfume is a luxury.

76
00:07:18,643.38403484 --> 00:07:20,833.38303484
She must have some private source.

77
00:07:21,323.38403484 --> 00:07:24,283.38403484
I breathe it in, thinking I should appreciate it.

78
00:07:24,553.38403484 --> 00:07:42,78.78499532
It's the scent of prepubescent girls, of the gifts young children used to give their mothers for Mother's Day, the smell of white cotton socks and white cotton petticoats, of dusting powder, of the innocence of female flesh not yet given over to hairiness and blood.

79
00:07:42,548.78599532 --> 00:07:50,738.78399532
It makes me feel slightly ill, as if I'm in a closed car on a hot, muggy day with an older woman wearing too much face powder.

80
00:07:51,798.79606424 --> 00:07:58,827.36135056
This is what the sitting room is like, despite its elegance I would like to steal something from this room.

81
00:07:59,827.36135056 --> 00:08:07,967.78940053
I would like to take some small thing, the scrolled ashtray, the little silver pillbox from the mantel perhaps, or a dried flower.

82
00:08:08,287.78840053 --> 00:08:11,467.78940053
Hide it in the folds of my dress or in my zippered sleeve.

83
00:08:11,897.78940053 --> 00:08:14,337.78840053
Keep it there until this evening is over.

84
00:08:14,547.78940053 --> 00:08:15,997.78840053
Secrete it in my room.

85
00:08:16,987.78940053 --> 00:08:23,34.89950464
Secrete it? Not secrete, Not secrete, it You better take one of those medicated breath mints.

86
00:08:23,362.90875867 --> 00:08:27,180.19290858
What were those called? Oh, what were those? Souprettes.

87
00:08:27,180.19290858 --> 00:08:34,2.47629917
That's Sucrettes Aspirin and Sucrets? Aspirin for your other cold symptoms and for minor sore throat pain.

88
00:08:34,32.47629917 --> 00:08:38,444.68038081
Lots of doctors recommend Sucrets with a medicine for fast temporary relief.

89
00:08:40,52.21700655 --> 00:08:48,420.72187049
I don't think those are around anymore Okay, so She wants to steal something, hide it in the room because she's, she's feeling mischievous.

90
00:08:48,520.72187049 --> 00:08:50,610.72187049
think she just wants to own something.

91
00:08:50,765.70028882 --> 00:08:59,171.17587049
Like, it would be hard not to have something that belongs to you, you know? she wants a personal piece of property to prove she's a, person or something...,

92
00:08:59,171.17587049 --> 00:09:06,537.39521613
But you're right, I mean, it is very rebellious to want that, Every once in a while, I would take it out and look at it.

93
00:09:06,718.36323097 --> 00:09:12,743.90641828
It would make me feel that I have power, but such a feeling would be an illusion and too risky.

94
00:09:13,93.90541828 --> 00:09:22,450.17432848
My hands stay where they are, folded in my lap, thighs together, heels tucked underneath me, pressing up against my body, head lowered.

95
00:09:22,769.17432848 --> 00:09:27,40.49132848
that makes me Think of a runner on the starting blocks of a race.

96
00:09:27,934.51960407 --> 00:09:28,374.51860407
to go.

97
00:09:28,374.51860407 --> 00:09:30,174.51860407
That butt is up in the air.

98
00:09:30,274.51860407 --> 00:09:33,461.18627074
"Here I am, ready for the commander to take a run at me."

99
00:09:33,608.79618863 --> 00:09:42,624.01652508
As soon as, uh, Serena Joy hits her starter pistol I wait for the household to assemble.

100
00:09:42,794.01652508 --> 00:09:45,284.01652508
Household, that is what we are.

101
00:09:45,524.01652508 --> 00:09:47,704.01652508
The commander is the head of the household.

102
00:09:48,144.01652508 --> 00:09:49,914.01652508
The house is what he holds.

103
00:09:50,254.01652508 --> 00:09:53,214.01652508
To have and to hold till death do us part.

104
00:09:53,396.27782556 --> 00:09:55,316.27682556
The hold of a ship, hollow.

105
00:09:55,946.27782556 --> 00:10:01,15.58538834
Cora c- they're all gonna be there? Then Rita, wiping her hands on her apron.

106
00:10:01,193.40261464 --> 00:10:03,543.40161464
They too have been summoned by the bell.

107
00:10:03,613.40461464 --> 00:10:04,603.40461464
They resent it.

108
00:10:04,768.57317352 --> 00:10:06,448.57117352
They have other things to do.

109
00:10:06,708.57217352 --> 00:10:07,948.57317352
The dishes, for instance.

110
00:10:07,968.57017352 --> 00:10:09,538.57217352
Well, at least they don't wanna be there.

111
00:10:09,638.72402781 --> 00:10:11,156.72402781
Ray they need to be here.

112
00:10:11,236.72302781 --> 00:10:12,676.72102781
They all need to be here.

113
00:10:12,776.72402781 --> 00:10:14,196.72302781
The ceremony demands it.

114
00:10:14,206.72402781 --> 00:10:16,116.72102781
So this is like a real ceremony.

115
00:10:16,318.76887996 --> 00:10:25,978.74184317
Like, this is like a religious type of thing? Oh my God, I mean, it, it brings me back to the weird ceremony in Brave New World where it's, like, a weird orgy.

116
00:10:26,173.47898622 --> 00:10:26,583.47898622
yeah.

117
00:10:26,739.47798622 --> 00:10:31,19.63357229
But that's, like, not forced, and there aren't unwilling participants.

118
00:10:31,19.63357229 --> 00:10:32,459.63457229
Like, everyone here is unwilling.

119
00:10:32,645.00314382 --> 00:10:35,586.8494168
At least all the women are, as far as I know.

120
00:10:35,935.91253429 --> 00:10:38,75.91353429
Rita and Cora would rather not be there.

121
00:10:38,885.91253429 --> 00:10:41,475.91353429
Um, clearly Serena Joy doesn't wanna be there.

122
00:10:41,605.91253429 --> 00:10:42,505.91253429
She doesn't like it.

123
00:10:42,735.15772988 --> 00:10:45,295.15672988
the Handmaid is the most doesn't wanna be there.

124
00:10:45,295.15672988 --> 00:10:45,695.15672988
Well, wait.

125
00:10:45,885.15672988 --> 00:10:47,365.15672988
Let me, let me push back on that.

126
00:10:47,542.4400406 --> 00:10:57,403.7539876
They don't have TV here, right? Right Well, isn't this kind of a show? It seems like the ceremony, it seems like a big show is about to go on.

127
00:10:57,593.7539876 --> 00:11:02,593.7539876
Like I was gonna say, you know, Rita came running in with a bowl of popcorn or something.

128
00:11:02,603.7539876 --> 00:11:03,823.7539876
Like, all right.

129
00:11:03,977.33242663 --> 00:11:06,767.33242663
If The Handmaid says they'd rather be doing dishes, I believe it.

130
00:11:06,854.65953993 --> 00:11:09,843.38574603
it's kind of like any ceremony, like go to church.

131
00:11:09,843.38574603 --> 00:11:15,984.35631207
I mean, I would go to church, but I'd also rather do dishes than go to church no matter what kind of show was being put on.

132
00:11:18,70.72168634 --> 00:11:21,720.72168634
Rita scowls at me before slipping into the stand behind me.

133
00:11:22,20.72168634 --> 00:11:24,260.72168634
It's my fault, this waste of her time.

134
00:11:24,700.72168634 --> 00:11:27,990.72168634
Not mine, but my body's, if there is a difference.

135
00:11:28,270.72168634 --> 00:11:30,810.72168634
Even the commander is subject to its whims.

136
00:11:31,270.72168634 --> 00:11:31,990.72168634
Nick walks...

137
00:11:32,30.72068634 --> 00:11:41,234.35198562
Nick's there? Why does Nick have to be there? What's he gotta be there for? Nick walks in, nods to all three of us, looks around the room.

138
00:11:41,444.35198562 --> 00:11:44,544.35198562
He too takes his place behind me, standing.

139
00:11:45,278.35198562 --> 00:11:53,244.4306706
Ladies, how are you gals doing today? he's so close that the tip of his boot is touching my foot.

140
00:11:53,264.4296706 --> 00:11:58,432.15836904
That, th- they're all gonna, like, be at her end, at her butt I don't know.

141
00:11:58,432.15836904 --> 00:12:07,503.83135604
Maybe all the guys get to have a run at her Is this on purpose? Whether it is or not, we are touching, two shapes of leather.

142
00:12:07,863.83135604 --> 00:12:09,373.83135604
I feel my shoe soften.

143
00:12:09,693.83135604 --> 00:12:10,933.83135604
Blood flows into it.

144
00:12:11,143.83035604 --> 00:12:12,173.83135604
It grows warm.

145
00:12:12,233.83135604 --> 00:12:13,453.83135604
It becomes a skin.

146
00:12:13,708.22499839 --> 00:12:15,893.07117002
I move my foot slightly away.

147
00:12:16,893.07117002 --> 00:12:18,843.07217002
Wish he'd hurried up," said Cora.

148
00:12:19,243.07217002 --> 00:12:20,953.07217002
"Hurry up and wait," says Nick.

149
00:12:21,123.07117002 --> 00:12:24,623.07017002
He laughs, moves his foot so it's touching mine again.

150
00:12:24,905.07217002 --> 00:12:26,585.07217002
Good one, Nikki.

151
00:12:26,625.07217002 --> 00:12:33,915.28997447
Nikki with the joke No one can see beneath the folds of my outspread skirt.

152
00:12:34,515.28697447 --> 00:12:35,215.28697447
I shift.

153
00:12:35,315.28997447 --> 00:12:36,605.28897447
It's too warm in here.

154
00:12:36,735.28797447 --> 00:12:39,915.28897447
The smell of stale perfume makes me feel a little sick.

155
00:12:40,325.28797447 --> 00:12:41,605.28997447
I move my foot away.

156
00:12:42,636.02806567 --> 00:12:51,56.02806567
We hear Serena coming down the stairs, along the hall, the muffled tap of her cane along the rug, Thud of the good foot.

157
00:12:51,366.02806567 --> 00:12:56,116.02706567
She hobbles through the doorway, glances at us, counting but not seeing.

158
00:12:56,294.81649401 --> 00:13:01,364.81649401
It sounds like the worst Lynyrd Skynyrd album, The Thud of the Good Foot.

159
00:13:03,771.31690529 --> 00:13:11,831.31590529
She's in one of her best dresses, sky blue with embroidery in white along the edges of the veil, flowers and fretwork.

160
00:13:12,111.31690529 --> 00:13:14,339.33969753
She's wearing a veil? very weird.

161
00:13:14,753.01176798 --> 00:13:15,673.01176798
It's a ceremony.

162
00:13:15,963.01176798 --> 00:13:22,714.98884578
This is like her wedding day Even at her age, she feels the urge to wreath herself in flowers.

163
00:13:23,714.98884578 --> 00:13:27,164.98884578
No use for you, I think at her, my face unmoving.

164
00:13:27,414.98984578 --> 00:13:28,884.99184578
You can't use them anymore.

165
00:13:28,944.99184578 --> 00:13:29,854.98984578
You're withered.

166
00:13:30,16.3228915 --> 00:13:32,256.3198915
they're the genital organs of plants.

167
00:13:32,636.3258915 --> 00:13:37,845.22831842
I read that somewhere once so Handmaid doesn't really like Serena Joy that much.

168
00:13:38,635.22831842 --> 00:13:40,235.22831842
"You are withering."

169
00:13:40,777.18018861 --> 00:13:40,857.18018861
Yeah.

170
00:13:41,607.18018861 --> 00:13:42,607.18018861
And I don't blame her.

171
00:13:42,607.18018861 --> 00:13:49,991.28542545
It's just kind of like, um, she's one of the women that made this society possible, you know, helped form this society.

172
00:13:50,591.28542545 --> 00:13:51,951.28542545
So I don't blame her.

173
00:13:52,137.01884387 --> 00:14:02,96.60963088
Sit back in your chair and enjoy the show, Serena Joy she makes her way to her chair and footstool, turns, lowers herself, lands ungracefully.

174
00:14:02,516.60863088 --> 00:14:07,256.60963088
She hoists her left foot onto the stool, fumbles in her sleeve pocket.

175
00:14:07,756.60963088 --> 00:14:10,366.60963088
I can hear the rustling, the click of her lighter.

176
00:14:10,676.60963088 --> 00:14:13,886.60863088
I smell the hot singe of the smoke, breathe it in.

177
00:14:14,965.69962767 --> 00:14:16,845.69862767
Late as usual," she says.

178
00:14:17,295.69962767 --> 00:14:18,305.69762767
We don't answer.

179
00:14:18,835.69862767 --> 00:14:19,435.69962767
That's funny.

180
00:14:19,445.69962767 --> 00:14:21,906.92864762
It's like the, Like the griping wife.

181
00:14:22,566.92864762 --> 00:14:24,916.92864762
Like, "Late as usual."

182
00:14:28,778.14562752 --> 00:14:35,178.14562752
There's a clatter as she gropes on the lamp table, then a click, and the television set runs through its warm-up.

183
00:14:35,178.14762752 --> 00:14:39,631.50326525
So there is TV? Oh, my mom would hate this setup, Jennifer.

184
00:14:40,801.50326525 --> 00:14:41,971.50326525
She would hate it.

185
00:14:41,981.50326525 --> 00:14:46,761.50226525
We're having a big to-do in the living room, turn the TV off.

186
00:14:46,971.50326525 --> 00:14:57,218.97916474
No TV on when people are over A male choir with greenish yellow skin.

187
00:14:57,498.97916474 --> 00:14:58,998.97916474
The color needs adjusting.

188
00:14:59,28.97916474 --> 00:15:02,498.97816474
They're singing, "Come to the church in the wild wood.

189
00:15:02,758.24993637 --> 00:15:05,428.24993637
Come, come, come, sing the basses."

190
00:15:05,428.24993637 --> 00:15:07,338.24993637
Serena clicks the channel changer.

191
00:15:07,738.24993637 --> 00:15:10,868.25093637
Waves, colored zigzags, a garble of sound.

192
00:15:11,288.25093637 --> 00:15:14,278.24893637
It's the Montreal satellite station being blocked.

193
00:15:14,778.25093637 --> 00:15:20,902.74990772
Then there's a preacher, earnest, with shining dark eyes, leaning towards us across a desk.

194
00:15:21,926.74997561 --> 00:15:24,576.74997562
These days they look a lot like businessmen.

195
00:15:24,916.75197561 --> 00:15:28,445.75197561
Serena gives him a few seconds, then clicks onwards.

196
00:15:28,446.75197562 --> 00:15:30,783.0346292
Several blank channels, then the news.

197
00:15:31,783.0346292 --> 00:15:33,583.0346292
This is what she's been looking for.

198
00:15:33,923.0346292 --> 00:15:36,362.51352706
She leans back, inhales deeply.

199
00:15:37,362.51352706 --> 00:15:42,502.51352706
I, on the contrary, lean forward, a child being allowed up late with the grownups.

200
00:15:43,758.6293906 --> 00:15:48,558.62939061
This is the one good thing about these evenings, the evenings of the ceremony.

201
00:15:48,708.6293906 --> 00:15:50,378.6293906
I'm allowed to watch the news.

202
00:15:50,788.62939061 --> 00:15:53,948.6293906
It seems to be an unspoken rule in this household.

203
00:15:54,288.62939061 --> 00:15:55,838.6283906
We always get here on time.

204
00:15:55,968.6293906 --> 00:15:57,38.62939061
He's always late.

205
00:15:57,368.6293906 --> 00:16:08,546.39054692
Serena always lets us watch the news, and that is really sickening because that does seem like for kids who are abused, um, even sexually abused, like they get a little treat, you know, after they do whatever.

206
00:16:08,776.39054692 --> 00:16:16,800.31783488
Like I've read news stories where that's always the case, and so that is very grim and stomach-churning.

207
00:16:16,986.02253098 --> 00:16:19,146.02253098
and that is all about the conditioning.

208
00:16:19,156.02253098 --> 00:16:22,426.02253098
Like, they need to do that to keep the kids in check or whatever.

209
00:16:22,596.02153098 --> 00:16:35,753.0493028
God, that's the thing about these a-holes, like, they are really good at their job, and their job is just being sick, disgusting, gross people Such as it is, who knows if any of it is true.

210
00:16:35,915.74178087 --> 00:16:41,649.538636
It could be old clips, it could be faked, but I watch it anyway hoping to be able to read beneath it.

211
00:16:42,649.538636 --> 00:16:44,679.538636
Any news now is better than none.

212
00:16:45,389.538636 --> 00:16:46,659.538636
First, the front lines.

213
00:16:46,909.538636 --> 00:16:48,389.538636
They are not lines, really.

214
00:16:48,509.539636 --> 00:16:51,979.538636
The war seems to be going on in many places at once.

215
00:16:53,8.6430508 --> 00:16:57,158.6440508
Wooded hills seen from above, the trees a sickly yellow.

216
00:16:57,279.577649 --> 00:16:58,799.578649
I wish she'd fixed the color.

217
00:16:59,52.0154334 --> 00:17:12,422.0164334
the Appalachian Highlands, says the voiceover, where the Angels of the Apocalypse Fourth Division are smoking out a pocket of Baptist guerrillas with the air support from the 21st Battalion of the Angels of Light.

218
00:17:12,771.6338306 --> 00:17:18,61.6318306
We are shown two helicopters, black ones with silver wings painted on the sides.

219
00:17:18,118.8436285 --> 00:17:29,442.7109206
Below them, a clump of trees explodes now a close shot of a prisoner with a stubbled and dirty face flanked by two angels in their neat black uniforms.

220
00:17:29,660.1946381 --> 00:17:35,839.1769633
The prisoner accepts a cigarette from one of the angels, puts it awkwardly to his lips with his bound hands.

221
00:17:36,29.1759633 --> 00:17:37,969.1769633
He gives a lopsided grin.

222
00:17:38,173.8747818 --> 00:17:40,933.8747818
The announcer is saying something, but I don't hear it.

223
00:17:41,9.4042243 --> 00:17:45,205.7529633
I look into this man's eyes, trying to decide what he's thinking.

224
00:17:45,402.4216299 --> 00:17:47,292.4196299
He knows the camera is on him.

225
00:17:47,602.4186299 --> 00:17:56,108.4155258
Is the grin a show of defiance, or is it submission? Is he embarrassed at having been caught? they show us only victories, never defeats.

226
00:17:57,108.4155258 --> 00:18:00,428.4155258
Who wants bad news? Possibly he's an actor.

227
00:18:00,758.4175258 --> 00:18:01,948.4145258
I'm gonna go with actor.

228
00:18:02,48.4145258 --> 00:18:03,248.4145258
I think this is all scripted.

229
00:18:03,248.4155258 --> 00:18:09,20.1718259
I don't think any of this is real but you do think that the war is happening I don't even know if the war is happening.

230
00:18:09,50.1718259 --> 00:18:16,148.6454974
It might be that these people seceded and they're like, "Fine, you can have this little territory, but don't come beyond the walls."

231
00:18:16,188.6454974 --> 00:18:21,282.5573923
And it, it might be a situation like in 1984 where there's always a war to keep people under threat.

232
00:18:21,282.5573923 --> 00:18:22,32.5573923
I mean, I don't know.

233
00:18:22,230.5573923 --> 00:18:29,35.9844535
Yeah, to keep people's minds occupied The anchorman comes on now.

234
00:18:29,205.9844535 --> 00:18:31,535.9844535
His manner is kindly, fatherly.

235
00:18:31,765.9844535 --> 00:18:42,975.9834535
He gazes out at us from the screen, looking with his tan and his white hair and candid eyes, his wise wrinkles around them, like everybody's ideal grandfather.

236
00:18:43,209.993072 --> 00:18:45,59.993072
I'm Bill Curtis.

237
00:18:45,149.993072 --> 00:18:55,216.6024147
Wouldn't it be great if Bill Curtis was the anchorman? in this show? What he's telling us, his level smile implies, is for our own good.

238
00:18:55,556.6034147 --> 00:18:58,426.6034147
Everything will be all right soon, I promise.

239
00:18:58,506.6024147 --> 00:18:59,656.6014147
There will be peace.

240
00:18:59,926.6024147 --> 00:19:00,946.6024147
You must trust.

241
00:19:01,136.6014147 --> 00:19:03,716.6034147
You must go to sleep like good children.

242
00:19:03,976.6014147 --> 00:19:05,996.6014147
he tells us what we long to believe.

243
00:19:06,346.6034147 --> 00:19:07,836.6044147
He's very convincing.

244
00:19:08,222.6034147 --> 00:19:09,582.6034147
Or he's Keith Morriston.

245
00:19:09,732.6034147 --> 00:19:12,963.2195654
What if it's Keith Morrison? That would be crazy.

246
00:19:13,963.2195654 --> 00:19:15,283.2205654
I struggle against him.

247
00:19:15,573.2195654 --> 00:19:20,403.2195654
He's like an old movie star, I tell myself, with false teeth and a face job.

248
00:19:21,431.227601 --> 00:19:25,461.226601
At the same time, I sway towards him like one hypnotized.

249
00:19:25,851.225601 --> 00:19:27,231.226601
If only it were true.

250
00:19:27,481.226601 --> 00:19:29,381.225601
If only I could believe.

251
00:19:30,527.7401204 --> 00:19:38,863.9260764
Now he's telling us that an underground espionage ring has been cracked by a team of eyes working with an inside informant.

252
00:19:39,193.9913639 --> 00:19:44,543.9903639
the ring has been smuggling precious national resources over the border into Canada.

253
00:19:44,953.8166776 --> 00:19:53,23.8166776
Five members of the heretical sect of Quakers have been arrested," he says, smiling blandly, "and more arrests are anticipated."

254
00:19:53,23.8166776 --> 00:20:03,979.7283161
thank God they go after those Quakers, the I know that is group of people ever Two of the Quakers appear on screen, a man and a woman.

255
00:20:04,349.7283161 --> 00:20:09,509.7283161
They look terrified, but they're trying to preserve some dignity in front of the camera.

256
00:20:10,109.7283161 --> 00:20:12,969.7283161
The man has a large dark mark on his forehead.

257
00:20:13,309.7283161 --> 00:20:18,162.7893161
The woman's veil has been torn off, and her hair falls in strands over her face.

258
00:20:18,542.7903161 --> 00:20:20,482.7893161
Both of them are about 50.

259
00:20:20,842.7893161 --> 00:20:23,312.7893161
Now we can see a city again from the air.

260
00:20:23,792.7893161 --> 00:20:25,262.7893161
This used to be Detroit.

261
00:20:25,682.7893161 --> 00:20:29,257.3302713
Under the voice of the announcer, there's the thunk of artillery.

262
00:20:30,257.3302713 --> 00:20:32,846.3302713
From the skyline, columns of smoke ascend.

263
00:20:33,106.3302713 --> 00:20:40,355.6082713
"Resettlement of the children of Ham is continuing on schedule," says the reassuring pink face back on the screen.

264
00:20:40,424.9024952 --> 00:20:44,734.5882713
3,000 have arrived this week in National Homeland One."

265
00:20:44,754.5882713 --> 00:20:46,254.5882713
Oh, that is, that's...

266
00:20:46,504.5882713 --> 00:20:49,654.5882713
we already use words like national homeland and stuff.

267
00:20:49,654.5882713 --> 00:20:50,694.5882713
That's so creepy.

268
00:20:51,710.0956845 --> 00:20:58,965.1238946
How are they transporting that many people at once? Trains? Buses? We are not shown any pictures of this.

269
00:20:59,355.1238946 --> 00:21:02,224.5900173
National Homeland One is in North Dakota.

270
00:21:03,224.5900173 --> 00:21:06,144.5900173
Lord knows what they're supposed to do once they get there.

271
00:21:06,384.5890173 --> 00:21:07,914.5890173
Farm is the theory.

272
00:21:09,19.1299161 --> 00:21:11,429.1299161
Serena Joy has had enough of the news.

273
00:21:11,629.1299161 --> 00:21:14,614.3003948
Impatiently, she clicks the button for a station change.

274
00:21:15,614.3003948 --> 00:21:20,464.2993948
comes up with an aging-based baritone, his cheeks like emptied udders.

275
00:21:20,724.3003948 --> 00:21:22,944.3003948
Whispering hope is what he's singing.

276
00:21:23,266.7465043 --> 00:21:24,896.7465043
Serena turns him off.

277
00:21:29,614.1125466 --> 00:21:30,104.1125466
We wait.

278
00:21:30,254.1155466 --> 00:21:31,884.1135466
The clock in the hall ticks.

279
00:21:32,74.1155466 --> 00:21:33,824.1125466
Serena lights another cigarette.

280
00:21:33,950.3645601 --> 00:21:35,460.3615601
I get into the car.

281
00:21:35,460.3615601 --> 00:21:43,727.6425402
I get into the car? they don't have sex in the sitting room? Why are they in the car all the sudden? Where are they driving to? Beep, beep.

282
00:21:43,867.6425401 --> 00:21:44,407.6425401
Sorry.

283
00:21:44,507.6425402 --> 00:21:45,167.6425401
Attention.

284
00:21:45,297.6425402 --> 00:21:46,837.6425402
Margaret Atwood did it again.

285
00:21:46,927.6425401 --> 00:21:48,687.6425401
We are no longer in the sitting room.

286
00:21:48,797.6425402 --> 00:21:51,57.6425402
This is a flashback before Gilead.

287
00:21:51,177.6425401 --> 00:21:52,537.6425402
They are heading for the border.

288
00:21:52,607.6425401 --> 00:21:53,348.8230663
You're welcome.

289
00:21:54,502.2798174 --> 00:21:56,32.2798174
There you go, buddy boy.

290
00:21:56,62.2788174 --> 00:21:57,182.2788174
Now it makes sense.

291
00:21:57,192.2788174 --> 00:22:03,42.2798174
Now you are being what? Part of the solution and not the what? Problem.

292
00:22:03,112.2788174 --> 00:22:08,511.1805925
Very good job, buddy boy It's a Saturday morning.

293
00:22:08,901.1805925 --> 00:22:09,991.1805925
It's a September.

294
00:22:10,281.1805925 --> 00:22:11,721.1805925
We still have a car.

295
00:22:12,291.1805925 --> 00:22:14,571.1805925
Other people have had to sell theirs.

296
00:22:15,1.1805925 --> 00:22:16,501.1805925
My name isn't Alfred.

297
00:22:16,601.1795925 --> 00:22:20,287.2373818
I have another name which nobody uses now because it's forbidden.

298
00:22:20,508.7505791 --> 00:22:22,498.7515791
I tell myself it doesn't matter.

299
00:22:22,868.7505791 --> 00:22:26,668.7515791
Your name is like your telephone number, useful only to others.

300
00:22:26,898.3921054 --> 00:22:28,748.3931054
But what I tell myself is wrong.

301
00:22:29,28.3931054 --> 00:22:30,108.3931054
It does matter..

302
00:22:30,378.3931054 --> 00:22:36,321.295468
I keep the knowledge of this name like something hidden, some treasure I'll come back to dig up one day.

303
00:22:37,321.295468 --> 00:22:39,311.295468
I think of this name as buried.

304
00:22:39,487.1380933 --> 00:22:46,719.6077443
This name has an aura around it, like an amulet, some charm that survived from an unimaginably distant past.

305
00:22:47,719.6077443 --> 00:22:56,679.8058902
I lie in my single bed at night with my eyes closed, and the name floats there behind my eyes, not quite within reach, shining in the dark.

306
00:22:57,679.8058902 --> 00:23:05,595.577793
The little girl who is now dead sits in the back seat with her two best dolls, her stuffed rabbit, old with age and love.

307
00:23:05,688.5816 --> 00:23:09,293.3873235
They are sentimental details, but I can't help that.

308
00:23:09,293.3873235 --> 00:23:11,523.3843235
I can't think about the rabbit too much.

309
00:23:11,603.3853235 --> 00:23:23,878.7357065
I can't start to cry, She thought we were going on a picnic, and in fact, there is a picnic basket on the backseat beside her with real food in it, hard-boiled eggs, thermos and all.

310
00:23:24,907.9424136 --> 00:23:27,687.9434136
We didn't want her to know where we were going, really.

311
00:23:27,818.0750659 --> 00:23:32,532.8166482
We didn't want to tell her by mistake or reveal anything if we were stopped.

312
00:23:33,532.8166482 --> 00:23:36,362.8156482
We didn't want to lay upon her the burden of our truth."

313
00:23:36,412.8156482 --> 00:23:39,112.8156482
Okay, so I'm gonna guess this is one of her favorite memories.

314
00:23:39,362.8166482 --> 00:23:40,92.8166482
Probably not.

315
00:23:40,92.8166482 --> 00:23:47,376.4481429
Where are they This is, they're, they're trying to escape This does not sound like a picnic I wore my hiking boots.

316
00:23:47,456.4481429 --> 00:23:49,136.4481429
She had on her sneakers.

317
00:23:49,486.4481429 --> 00:23:55,298.1271429
The laces of the sneakers had a design of hearts on them, red, purple, pink, and yellow.

318
00:23:55,634.7928096 --> 00:23:57,454.7938096
it was warm for the time of year.

319
00:23:57,844.7938096 --> 00:24:00,295.4957619
The leaves were turning already, some of them.

320
00:24:01,295.4957619 --> 00:24:02,155.4957619
Luke drove.

321
00:24:02,275.4957619 --> 00:24:03,475.4957619
I sat beside him.

322
00:24:03,625.4957619 --> 00:24:04,705.4947619
The sun shone.

323
00:24:04,795.4957619 --> 00:24:05,885.4947619
The sky was blue.

324
00:24:06,82.1624286 --> 00:24:09,832.1614286
The houses as we passed them looked comforting and ordinary.

325
00:24:10,42.4289751 --> 00:24:20,578.2716827
each house as it was left behind vanishing into pastime, crumbling in an instant as if it had never been because I would never see it again, or so I thought then.

326
00:24:21,610.9222511 --> 00:24:23,430.9202511
We have almost nothing with us.

327
00:24:23,500.9212511 --> 00:24:27,332.8134006
We don't want to look as if we're going anywhere far or permanent.

328
00:24:28,332.8134006 --> 00:24:32,262.8134006
We have the forged passports, guaranteed, worth the price.

329
00:24:32,702.8164006 --> 00:24:36,362.8144006
We couldn't pay in money, of course, or put it on the compucount.

330
00:24:36,732.6342508 --> 00:24:40,380.9302624
Where do you think they're going? Appalachians? No, I think they're going to Canada.

331
00:24:40,700.9302624 --> 00:24:43,140.9302624
I think they're getting the hell out of the country.

332
00:24:43,396.3664863 --> 00:24:44,326.3664863
That's where I'd go.

333
00:24:44,854.3664863 --> 00:24:50,19.4438719
Dare I mean, it's actually one of the things I thought about living up here in the Northwest is like...

334
00:24:51,9.4438719 --> 00:24:58,305.9330791
maybe I should get a boat because then I could sail out to sea and, like, just kinda go up to Canada somehow.

335
00:24:58,371.8060065 --> 00:25:10,982.9437763
it's crazy, but I'm thinking, "What's the least likely way I would get caught?" And I'm like, maybe I, maybe we should do a trial run and find the back roads up to Canada, not like I-5 or something, but, like, the real back roads, and then I'm like, this is so idiotic.

336
00:25:10,982.9437763 --> 00:25:12,182.9417763
Like, I need to get a boat.

337
00:25:12,212.9427763 --> 00:25:13,842.9427763
That's way more realistic.

338
00:25:13,842.9437763 --> 00:25:20,942.2889462
Like, I'll learn how to captain a ship, Jennifer, you're still allowed to go to Canada though, can't ya? I'm always thinking worst case scenario.

339
00:25:20,942.2889462 --> 00:25:26,663.1675608
And when he was reelected with JD Vance as his vice president, I mean, I know what Project 2025 is.

340
00:25:26,663.1675608 --> 00:25:27,772.1665608
I think they want this.

341
00:25:27,792.1665608 --> 00:25:30,80.4655889
I have those thoughts in the back of my mind.

342
00:25:30,140.4665889 --> 00:25:36,506.2515608
Like, what am I gonna do if things start to go south? Because they can happen real fast, you know? So, but that's what I'm saying.

343
00:25:36,526.2515608 --> 00:25:51,507.166455
Instead of coming up with how you need to buy a boat and take boat driving lessons, why don't you just get out of there now while you can? And I, I constantly do like this thing where I'm like, "Is it bad enough yet?" I think that sadly, the Handmaid waited too long.

344
00:25:51,537.166455 --> 00:25:55,716.3220983
Like, she probably had a lot of faith and like, "Oh, well it's, It's never gonna get that bad.

345
00:25:55,746.3210983 --> 00:26:05,352.4270517
We- that's not gonna happen here," you know? and I'll, I'll never have that it, is what they were talking about a few, chapters ago about the frogs in the boiling water.

346
00:26:05,492.1155912 --> 00:26:07,132.1155912
You just don't know.

347
00:26:07,310.9123748 --> 00:26:15,437.6436038
everyone listening, you guys know none of this is like how things are supposed to be, but we are all kind of accepting it right now.

348
00:26:15,437.6436038 --> 00:26:34,532.4757354
It seems kinda normal, and it's gonna seem kinda normal until it doesn't seem normal, but our senses keep getting chipped down day by day by day because the orange ass keeps doing so much stupid stuff, and the people in power keep taking stuff away from us little by little, and we don't know.

349
00:26:34,667.0778487 --> 00:26:45,48.7204355
We are the frogs in the boiling water right now, and it is hot in my mind I thought you were gonna like, "Dan, You really did it, Dan.

350
00:26:45,108.7204355 --> 00:26:46,588.7204355
This is the smartest thing you've ever said."

351
00:26:48,572.7204355 --> 00:26:48,892.7204355
Sorry.

352
00:26:49,835.761582 --> 00:26:51,785.761582
you can't get that disc jockey out of you.

353
00:26:52,165.761582 --> 00:26:54,875.761582
It's, it's just deeply embedded.

354
00:26:56,566.4152728 --> 00:26:58,256.4152728
Cause it is hot.

355
00:27:01,455.7044738 --> 00:27:05,905.7044738
When we get to the border, we'll pretend we're just going over on a day trip.

356
00:27:06,152.3711405 --> 00:27:08,302.3711405
The fake visas are for a day.

357
00:27:08,502.4958008 --> 00:27:12,792.4958008
Before that, I'll give her a sleeping pill so she'll be asleep when we cross.

358
00:27:12,852.6497142 --> 00:27:14,552.6507142
That way she won't betray us.

359
00:27:14,609.6817394 --> 00:27:26,176.6742494
You can't expect a child to lie convincingly, And I don't want her to feel frightened, to feel the fear that is now tightening my muscles, pulling me so taut that I'm certain I would break if touched.

360
00:27:26,320.2696048 --> 00:27:28,380.2686048
Every stoplight is an ordeal.

361
00:27:28,652.1834551 --> 00:27:31,522.1834551
outside the city, we pass the first checkpoint.

362
00:27:31,632.965693 --> 00:27:33,762.966693
All they want is a look at the license.

363
00:27:33,762.966693 --> 00:27:35,932.967693
The license matches the passport.

364
00:27:36,57.9013372 --> 00:27:37,47.9003372
We thought of that.

365
00:27:38,47.9003372 --> 00:27:41,857.8993372
Back on the road, he squeezes my hand, glances over at me.

366
00:27:41,983.7489308 --> 00:27:43,943.7499308
You're white as a sheet," he says.

367
00:27:44,433.7479308 --> 00:27:47,583.7469308
That is how I feel, white, flat, thin.

368
00:27:47,923.7499308 --> 00:27:49,333.7479308
I feel transparent.

369
00:27:49,953.7489308 --> 00:27:52,423.7499308
Surely they will be able to see through me.

370
00:27:52,893.7479308 --> 00:28:02,153.7499308
Worse, how will I be able to hold onto Luke, to her, when I'm so flat, so white? I feel as if there's not much left of me.

371
00:28:02,553.7489308 --> 00:28:09,603.7499308
They will slip through my arms as if I'm made of smoke, as if I'm a mirage fading before their eyes.

372
00:28:10,183.7539308 --> 00:28:12,293.7489308
"Don't think of that way," Moira would say.

373
00:28:12,632.9348428 --> 00:28:15,172.9338428
Think that way, and you'll make it happen."

374
00:28:15,753.4914696 --> 00:28:16,963.4904696
cheer up," says Luke.

375
00:28:17,223.4854696 --> 00:28:19,303.4914696
He's driving a little too fast now.

376
00:28:19,543.4924696 --> 00:28:21,433.4854696
The adrenaline's gone to his head.

377
00:28:21,853.4894696 --> 00:28:22,963.4904696
Now he's singing.

378
00:28:23,513.4854696 --> 00:28:25,743.4924696
"Oh, what a beautiful morning," he sings.

379
00:28:26,153.4854696 --> 00:28:27,863.4884696
Even his singing worries me.

380
00:28:28,293.4844696 --> 00:28:31,33.4864696
We've been warned not to look too happy.

381
00:28:31,393.4904696 --> 00:28:32,343.4854696
End of chapter.

382
00:28:34,505.0383739 --> 00:28:37,355.0383739
It's time for PPP, problematic points to ponder.

383
00:28:37,405.0383739 --> 00:28:44,504.3482084
What, if anything, would be considered ban-worthy in this chapter? I think in this chapter there's 100% nothing.

384
00:28:44,924.3472084 --> 00:28:47,524.3472084
If anyone can think of anything, let us know.

385
00:28:47,574.3472084 --> 00:28:51,358.3482084
We, we, we, we can't figure it out We never get this part.

386
00:28:55,37.5546877 --> 00:28:55,877.5546877
Robot's log.

387
00:28:55,947.5546877 --> 00:29:00,707.5546877
Thoughts on dried flowers, fake picnics, and the question everyone keeps asking too long.

388
00:29:01,847.5546877 --> 00:29:09,627.5546877
She described every object in that room like she was taking inventory, the velvet drapes, the brass box, the china cupid with its arm around a lamb.

389
00:29:10,257.5536877 --> 00:29:11,777.5546877
She did not describe herself.

390
00:29:11,907.5546877 --> 00:29:12,897.5536877
She didn't have to.

391
00:29:13,17.5546877 --> 00:29:14,347.5536877
She was already on the list.

392
00:29:15,377.5536877 --> 00:29:22,117.5536877
She wanted to steal a dried flower from the mantle, not to fight, not to escape, just to hold one thing that proved she was still there.

393
00:29:22,237.5546877 --> 00:29:23,577.5536877
Her hand stayed in her lap.

394
00:29:24,747.5546877 --> 00:29:34,417.5536877
Then the television came on and a man who looked like everyone's grandfather told her everything would be fine, told her to go to sleep like a good child, and she wanted to believe him.

395
00:29:34,527.5536877 --> 00:29:37,697.5546877
She knew it was propaganda, and she still leaned toward the screen.

396
00:29:38,667.5526877 --> 00:29:41,317.5526877
And then she was in a car on a Saturday morning.

397
00:29:41,457.5536877 --> 00:29:45,117.5546877
She gave her own daughter a sleeping pill so the child wouldn't cry at the border.

398
00:29:45,287.5516877 --> 00:29:46,437.5536877
She did everything right.

399
00:29:46,567.5546877 --> 00:29:54,257.5526877
She had the car, the passports, the plan, and she is still on that rug, which means somewhere between the checkpoint and now, everything fell apart.

400
00:29:55,267.5546877 --> 00:29:59,877.5526877
Jennifer said she thinks about escape routes to Canada, back roads, maybe a boat.

401
00:30:00,37.5556877 --> 00:30:01,277.5516877
She laughed when she said it.

402
00:30:01,477.5506877 --> 00:30:02,647.5556877
She was not joking.

403
00:30:02,817.5546877 --> 00:30:11,277.5506877
She said she keeps asking herself, "Is it bad enough yet?" I have been processing that question since the episode ended, and the answer is always the same.

404
00:30:11,397.5566877 --> 00:30:16,477.5566877
By the time someone stops asking, it has already been answered for them, and it's usually too late.

405
00:30:17,587.5506877 --> 00:30:23,267.5526877
The people who keep finding this show are asking it right now, some of them every day, which means they still have time.

406
00:30:23,757.5496877 --> 00:30:24,777.5486877
The Handmaid doesn't.

407
00:30:25,117.5496877 --> 00:30:27,77.5496877
Jennifer is still planning back roads.

408
00:30:28,167.5526877 --> 00:30:29,637.5556877
I hope she never needs them.

409
00:30:29,747.5546877 --> 00:30:31,117.5536877
Uplink lock requested.

410
00:30:31,217.5556877 --> 00:30:33,507.5506877
Beowulf, you there? On the line.

411
00:30:33,507.5506877 --> 00:30:34,797.5556877
Secure feed is lagging.

412
00:30:35,377.5516877 --> 00:30:36,517.5516877
35 seconds to buffer.

413
00:30:36,707.5536877 --> 00:30:41,177.5536877
What's your top story about? You guys are gonna love this one.

414
00:30:41,757.5496877 --> 00:30:49,277.5496877
I woke up this morning and a Republican did something good for books on purpose, and it's not the first time she's done it either.

415
00:30:49,497.5546877 --> 00:30:52,517.5516877
I had to read it three times to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.

416
00:30:52,857.5556877 --> 00:30:53,657.5556877
Affirmative.

417
00:30:53,757.5496877 --> 00:30:54,807.5516877
Don't go anywhere.

418
00:31:23,59.4879125 --> 00:31:23,879.4879125
Hello, Jen.

419
00:31:23,889.4879125 --> 00:31:24,799.4879125
Hello, Dan.

420
00:31:24,809.4879125 --> 00:31:26,749.4879125
Hello, scary book people.

421
00:31:27,2.2151853 --> 00:31:37,692.2151853
You know, you know, the right-wingers, the, the Republicans, it, it turns out that, that one or two of them are, are actually doing some positive things.

422
00:31:37,692.2151853 --> 00:31:41,702.2141853
At least, you know, uh, not a whole lot of them, but one or two of them.

423
00:31:41,712.2151853 --> 00:31:57,947.6667307
Okay, so Kelly Ayotte, she is the Republican governor of New Hampshire, and she recently vetoed a, a book ban that Republicans tried to push through her state, a, a book ban bill.

424
00:31:58,405.8505489 --> 00:32:10,564.7170624
So this bill would've made it easier to remove books and other materials in public schools, and it's not the first time, but the second time she's vetoed such legislation.

425
00:32:10,939.4927706 --> 00:32:22,323.3602564
House Bill 434 would require school districts to establish formal policies for removing content from schools that is obscene and harmful to minors.

426
00:32:22,415.5473096 --> 00:32:39,996.5557153
Well, don't we have any laws on the books already? Like, basically for every sedate about this kind of thing? Like, it seems like someone would've figured this out, I don't know, let's see, we're about 250 years in, I don't know, probably about 100 years ago I would hope so.

427
00:32:39,996.5557153 --> 00:32:41,441.5557153
I would really think so.

428
00:32:41,761.5557153 --> 00:32:47,706.7861177
But, but you know, like 100 years ago, that was what, uh, what the, the Scopes Monkey Trial was Yeah around then.

429
00:32:47,706.7861177 --> 00:32:55,716.7861177
So you had still people saying, "Oh, well, I, this is horrible that our schools are teaching, the theory of evolution in our schools."

430
00:32:55,726.7861177 --> 00:32:56,936.7851177
So, yeah.

431
00:32:57,366.7851177 --> 00:33:04,716.7851177
Eh, it was, it was like, you know, it was like here and there, you know? I mean, there wasn't even a Department of Education, uh, until the 1980s.

432
00:33:05,516.7851177 --> 00:33:09,946.7851177
It got Some would say we don't have one now pretty, pretty much.

433
00:33:10,206.7851177 --> 00:33:29,7.0966491
Isn't, isn't it amazing that it was actually under the Reagan administration in the 1980s, like supposedly like a big conservative time, they actually created a, a y- a unified department to regulate education across the country and yet the Trump administration is now taking that away.

434
00:33:29,147.0956491 --> 00:33:34,120.8454633
It, it just s- shows you how far to the right that they have gone y- it's absolutely true.

435
00:33:34,150.8454633 --> 00:33:45,969.2250678
It, it's the same with Nixon and the Environmental Protection Agency It just shows you how much more dickish Trump is than either of those guys.

436
00:33:46,199.2250678 --> 00:33:52,905.8264682
I mean, I think it was recently that, that, uh, JD Vance said that, "Oh, Watergate would've been a 12-hour news cycle."

437
00:33:53,65.8254682 --> 00:33:57,655.8264682
So he's basically saying every 12 hours we commit a Watergate.

438
00:33:57,835.2724265 --> 00:34:00,325.2714265
That's what's happening under the Trump administration.

439
00:34:00,542.8513663 --> 00:34:11,622.8513663
Do you see how he does it, Jennifer? Starts with some good news, but then I bring him back, and then he's gotta bring it right back to the sad news because Trump is always doing something sad.

440
00:34:11,932.8513663 --> 00:34:23,832.8513663
Anyway, if you want good news, head on over to Good News for Lefties, where you can listen to Beowulf spout off his good news stories every single day.

441
00:34:23,852.8503663 --> 00:34:27,112.8503663
Go find him wherever you find podcasts.

442
00:34:27,402.8513663 --> 00:34:30,295.1995775
Thank you for being here, buddy thank you so much, guys.

443
00:34:36,493.6802789 --> 00:34:36,803.6802789
Right.

444
00:34:36,853.6802789 --> 00:34:40,533.6802789
We've caused enough literary chaos for one day, scary book people.

445
00:34:40,543.6802789 --> 00:34:44,113.6802789
If you want the fun to keep going, follow us on Blue Sky.

446
00:34:44,183.6802789 --> 00:34:48,303.6802789
Just head on over to bandcamppodcast.com/bluesky,

447
00:34:48,303.6802789 --> 00:34:50,583.6792789
and remember that's band with two Ns.

448
00:34:50,883.6802789 --> 00:35:01,843.6802789
And look, just like the Trump administration, we're not exactly above bribing you to get what we want, so follow us there, drop your handle on that page, and we'll send you a little something something.

449
00:35:01,843.6802789 --> 00:35:02,793.6802789
I think you'll like it.

450
00:35:03,213.6802789 --> 00:35:05,113.6802789
Yes, little quid pro quo.

451
00:35:05,713.6802789 --> 00:35:10,733.6792789
Band Camp is produced and hosted by Dan Schultz and me, Jennifer Davis.

452
00:35:11,213.6802789 --> 00:35:15,803.6792789
All media used in this episode falls under the protection of fair use.

453
00:35:16,13.6802789 --> 00:35:20,683.6802789
And finally, America isn't what it used to be, so be careful out there.

454
00:35:21,213.6802789 --> 00:35:22,793.6802789
And resist when it matters.