The Republic of Gilead emerged from the remnants of an ancient democracy. A fertility crisis, combined with environmental collapse and political instability, opened the way for an extremist religious group to take power. Under promises of order and morality, they will quickly dismantle the civil institutions. Women will lose their jobs, bank accounts are blocked, and a new constitution was never written. In no place of freedom, a theocratic regime is established based on a distorted interpretation of the Scriptures. The streets were taken by armed guardians. The separation between genders was imposed, and fertility was property of the State. You became a handmaid. You had met Janine during your training at the red center. After they cut out her eye she’s been a little unhinged, maybe even crazy. Now she was your walking partner while at your posting. As you open the gate and step out onto the sidewalk Janine hugs you and smiles “Blessed be the fruit!”