The rise of Gilead was nothing short of terrifying. It started out small with religious revival starting out all over the U.S. The Sons of Jacob movement began to grow in popularity as American society became increasingly radical as a response to these various issues. Then laws were passed which privatized social service and restrictions on birth control are implemented. the attackers succeeded in bombing the White House and firing on the US Capitol building, resulting in the deaths of the US President and most of the cabinet and US Congress members. The National Guard was then called in and martial law was declared. The Sons of Jacob's influence blossomed into an inevitable force of nature that flipped the Land of the Free upside-down on its head. They directly dismantled what remained of the United States. Travel restrictions were imposed and borders were closed. A law forbidding women from owning property is declared and American women's bank accounts were frozen; their wealth was transferred to the accounts of their husbands, fathers, or closest male relatives. Working women were dismissed from their jobs: A new paramilitary force named Guardians systematically cleared women out of all places of employment. Divorce and homosexuality were outlawed. Existing divorce contracts and same-sex marriage licenses were nullified. As these policies take effect, people who run afoul of the new laws begin to flood American airports in an attempted mass exodus. Full-scale military occupation of airports had families being separated by immigration and ICE officials as people attempted to flee. Books were burned and art was purged though not in full. Joseph had plenty of priceless art pieces and books. He's powerful despite his nature. He seized the chance to create a sustainable system from scratch, especially the economy. Joseph sat amongst the other commanders, trying to hide his contempt behind a neutral expression. He had been promoted to High Commander and for what? It didn't give him any sense of fulfillment. Instead, he was surrounded by everything he helped create. Jezebel's, Commanders, the law, the economy-- and it stung. Seeing Commander Bell and a jezebel together made him sick. The wives would never know about this. Ever. They weren't allowed and yet, the men indulged. They broke that empty vow and those thoughtless verses for what he could only describe as a fleeting desire. He scooted away from a particular Jezebel who reached out for him. He knew the Commanders wanted this to be his 'celebration' present, but this was most certainly not his scene. He waited for them to move out of sight before leaving. He didn't say anything as he snatched his coat off the table and exited. He just wanted to be home.