The Broken Wall
INT. COMMANDER'S HOUSE - NIGHT
June (Offred) stands next to the Commander's desk, pretending to be arranging frames while observing the Commander and Serena discussing something important. Both are visibly upset. June struggles to hear their conversation but it is muffled.
SERENA
This is not what we agreed upon, Fred. We need to fix this.
COMMANDER
I'm doing everything I can, Serena. You must have faith.
June's eyes shift between them, trying to read their lips. She looks around the room, searching for clues.
SERENA
(louder and angrier)
Faith? Is that all you have for me?
June flinches at Serena's raised voice, knowing any minute she could be caught prying. Before the Commander has a chance to reply, June leaves the room, pretending to have finished her task.
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
June enters the kitchen and sees Rita, the housekeeper, preparing dinner.
JUNE
(low voice)
Rita, have you noticed something strange happening lately?
RITA
(whispering)
I have, but we can't talk about it here. Meet me later in the greenhouse.
CUT TO:
INT. GREENHOUSE - NIGHT
June enters the greenhouse. The dim moonlight shines through the glass, casting eerie shadows on the plants. Rita appears from behind a large tree, startling June.
JUNE
(angry whisper)
You scared me, Rita.
RITA
(apologetic)
Sorry, I didn't mean to. Listen, I overheard the Commander and Serena. They are hiding something, something big.
JUNE
(whispering)
What do you suppose it is? Can it help us gain some leverage?
RITA
(shifty)
Maybe, but we have to be smart about it. Gather more information. This could be our only way to survive...or even escape.
CUT TO:
INT. JUNE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
June lies in her bed, unable to sleep. She thinks about her life before Gilead and weighs her options for escape. She looks at her secret memories of her family, hidden in the wall.
Suddenly, she hears a faint scratching sound coming from outside her door. June, concerned, walks slowly towards the door. As she opens it, she finds a crumpled note on the floor.
The note reads: 'Meet at the cellar. There's something you need to see.'
CUT TO:
INT. CELLAR - NIGHT
June carefully descends the stairs into the dark, narrow cellar. Her heart races, but she proceeds cautiously.
There, she sees a group of faces illuminated by a weak candlelight, including some of the other handmaids and Marthas. They gather around a hidden, makeshift radio, listening to the barely audible signal.
VOICE ON THE RADIO
(garbled)
...if you can hear this message...a potential escape route...meet...
The signal cuts off with static. June's eyes widen, realizing there is still hope.
TO BE CONTINUED
The Handmaid's Tale: Reckoning
INT. RED CENTER - NIGHT
The room is dimly lit, filled with rows of sleeping HANDMAIDS. JUNE sleeps restlessly, tossing and turning.
DREAM SEQUENCE - FLASHBACK:
INT. A SAFE HOUSE - NIGHT
JUNE and other handmaids, including Moira, are celebrating their escape from Gilead. Luke is there too, embracing June. Happiness radiates in the room.
END DREAM SEQUENCE
INT. RED CENTER - NIGHT
June wakes up with a start, sweat on her forehead.
JUNE (V.O.): These dreams don't come often, but when they do, they hurt like hell.
June pulls her blanket over her chest, her face filled with determination.
INT. THE RED CENTER - BATHROOM - DAY
June stands at a sink, splashing her face with cold water. She looks around cautiously before making her way to Janine.
JUNE: (whispering) Janine, hey, Janine. We need to talk.
JANINE: (frightened) About what? We shouldn't be talking.
JUNE: I know but I have a plan.
Janine looks at her, horrified and reluctant.
INT. MESS HALL - DAY
June cautiously approaches MOIRA, who's sitting with a group of handmaids. She takes a seat beside her.
MOIRA: (whispering) You shouldn't be here.
JUNE: Moira, please. Just hear me out.
Moira hesitates, then nods subtly.
JUNE: We can't stay in this place any longer. We need to get out, get back to freedom, to our loved ones.
MOIRA: You know it's not that easy, June.
JUNE: I know it's not easy, but we have to try. We have to.
INT. MESS HALL - DAY - LATER
June sits alone, eating her meal. AUNT LYDIA approaches menacingly.
AUNT LYDIA: (hardly concealing her disdain) Offred, you have a posting. Commander Waterford requested your presence.
June tries to stay calm, unaware of what this might entail.
INT. COMMANDER WATERFORD'S HOUSE - DAY
June enters nervously, escorted by a GUARD. COMMANDER WATERFORD'S WIFE, SERENA JOY, is there to greet her.
SERENA JOY: Offred, welcome back. Come, sit down. We have some things to discuss.
June looks frightened, but follows her into a sitting room.
SERENA JOY: (coldly) Offred, we know what you've been up to. We know about your little plan to escape Gilead.
JUNE: (barely audible) I- I don't know what you're ta-
SERENA JOY: Spare me your lies. You've betrayed this household, this family.
Serena Joy's words hang heavy in the air. June's heart sinks.
INT. THE RED CENTER - NIGHT
June is returned to the Red Center, now more closely watched than ever.
JUNE (V.O.): Reckoning. That's what they call a punishment for betraying Gilead. It's supposed to set us back on the path of righteousness.
June watches as her fellow handmaids are rounded up and punished.
TO BE CONTINUED.
The Handmaid's Tale: A Silent Rebellion
INT. ROOM - DAY
JUNE (voiceover): My name is June Osborne. I had another name, once...
June is sitting in a room with other HANDMAIDS, wearing her red cloak, her face determined.
JUNE (voiceover): But in Gilead, we're nothing more than vessels. Our names erased, our past lives gone.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Handmaids walk in pairs, their heads down, whispered murmurs between them. GUARDIANS patrol the streets.
JUNE (voiceover): They believe they have stolen our power. But inside, we still burn with the fire of rebellion.
INT. GROCERY STORE - DAY
June and a new HANDMAID exchange furtive glances. The new Handmaid hands June a tiny, folded piece of paper.
NEW HANDMAID: For you.
June nods and hides the paper in her cloak.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
June reads the note, a map of the city with a series of marked locations.
JUNE (voiceover): A plan is forming. A rebellion is growing.
INT. COMMANDER LAWRENCE'S HOUSE - DAY
June finds a moment of privacy with ELEANOR, Commander Lawrence's wife.
ELEANOR: Can I trust you, June?
June hesitates, then nods.
ELEANOR: Make sure Joseph helps you. Promise me you'll save your daughter.
June looks into Eleanor's eyes, touched by her compassion.
JUNE: I promise.
Eleanor gives June a hug.
EXT. STREET - DAY
June and the new Handmaid walk together, secretly discussing their plans.
NEW HANDMAID: I've heard whispers of more rebels. We'll find them.
June smiles, her eyes full of hope.
JUNE: For Hannah.
She touches her stomach.
JUNE: And for this one, too.
INT. TRAIN STATION - NIGHT
A group of handmaids, including JUNE and the NEW HANDMAID, mingle with passengers on a busy platform. June fumbles with a BOMB hidden in her cloak, hands shaking.
JUNE (voiceover): There will be sacrifices.
A GUARDIAN approaches. June's heart races. The train is about to leave. She slips the bomb into a trash bin.
The Guardian reaches out to grab June's arm, but another handmaid steps forward to use her body as a distraction, allowing June to board the last car. The train pulls away.
The handmaids on the platform give June a knowing salute.
As the train rapidly leaves the station, the Guardian moves away from the trash bin.
FADE TO BLACK.
TO BE CONTINUED.
The Handmaid's Tale: Redemption
INT. OFFRED'S ROOM - DAY
Offred (June) sits stoically staring out the window. There is a heavy silence, broken only by the distant sound of CHILDREN LAUGHING.
EXT. SCHOOL YARD - DAY
A group of CHILDREN in bright clothing play outside. Offred watches them from her vantage point in the room. She clenches her fist.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Offred and Rita prepare dinner. The air is tense.
RITA
Commander's having guests tonight.
OFFRED
More Eyes?
RITA
That's not for me to know. Just don't cause trouble.
Offred's expression hardens.
OFFRED
I won't.
INT. WATERFORD'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
A small gathering of COMMANDERS and WIVES. Offred stands near the door, quietly observing. Commander Waterford entertains the GUESTS.
WATERFORD
(to his guests)
I believe we are closer to regaining control, bringing back order.
Offred spots Nick across the room, their eyes briefly meet before he quickly looks away.
AUNT LYDIA (O.S.)
(to Offred)
Blessed evening, dear.
Offred turns to face Aunt Lydia.
OFFRED
Blessed evening, Aunt Lydia.
AUNT LYDIA
Did I hear correctly that you'll be tested once more?
Offred nods, anxiety flickering in her eyes.
EXT. JEZEBEL'S - NIGHT
A secret meeting of HANDMAIDS takes place in the shadows of the establishment. Moira addresses the group with determination.
MOIRA
We cannot wait any longer. It's time we take control of our lives. We need more allies.
The Handmaids listen intently, each brimming with a mix of fear and resolve.
EXT. WATERFORD'S HOME - NIGHT
Offred, clad in a robe, sneaks out of the house. Her heart races as she approaches Nick's apartment.
INT. NICK'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
The door creaks open. Offred steps inside the dimly lit room.
OFFRED
(whispers)
Nick?
Nick appears from the shadows.
NICK
You shouldn't be here.
Offred moves closer, desperation in her eyes.
OFFRED
I need your help. There's a plan...
Nick cuts her off.
NICK
(steps back)
Whatever it is, I can't help you.
Offred pleads.
OFFRED
But, there's still hope for us, for our daughter...
NICK
We can't change what's happening. You have to survive for her.
Offred leaves the room, her spirit broken.
INT. OFFRED'S ROOM - DAY
Offred sits by the window, gazing at the children playing outside. A resolve in her eyes forms as she recalls Moira's speech.
TO BE CONTINUED.
The Handmaid's Tale: Silent Whispers
INT. GILEAD - DAY
A vast, oppressive field. Handmaids are working quickly and silently.
OFFRED (V.O.)
Silent whispers can bring salvation or destruction. Whom you choose to trust could be your last choice.
EXT. GILEAD - STREET - DAY
Offred walks alongside other Handmaids.
Offred (whispering)
Rumors say there's an escape route to the north, through the woods.
Ofglen (whispering)
Can you trust the source?
Offred (whispering)
I don't know. It's all we have.
ROUNDING A CORNER
Offred and Ofglen spot Aunt Lydia watching them from afar. They silently part ways.
EXT. WATERFORD'S HOUSE - DAY
Offred heads to the kitchen to see Rita preparing food.
Rita
Mrs. Waterford wants you in her room. Now.
Offred nods and heads to Mrs. Waterford's room.
INT. WATERFORD'S HOUSE - SERENA'S ROOM - DAY
Serena Joy paces the room.
Serena
I heard you talking to the others. Are you planning something?
Offred
I was just sharing news from town, Mrs. Waterford.
Serena (threateningly)
Remember, we can all be replaced.
OFFRED TRIPS ON A RUG
Offred notices a crumpled piece of paper under the rug. She takes it as Serena leaves the room.
Offred unfolds the paper: a map of the escape route to the north.
INT. WATERFORD'S HOUSE - OFFRED'S ROOM - NIGHT
Offred ponders the map under a dim light - it could be dangerous, but it might be her only chance.
Offglen (whispering)
What did you find?
Offred (whispering)
The map we need. But we have to act soon...
OFFRED PONDERS, SHAKES HER HEAD
Offred (whispering)
The consequences are too grave. We need to burn it.
Offglen nods, understanding the risks.
TO BE CONTINUED
The Handmaid's Tale - Season 4, Episode 11: Breaking Chains
INT. GILEAD MILITARY BUILDING - DAY
June, looking disheveled but determined, listens intently to Commander Winslow as he speaks.
COMMANDER WINSLOW
(boasting)
We've rooted out the rebels in this area. Gilead is stronger for it.
JUNE
(quietly)
For now.
Commander Winslow glares at June.
COMMANDER WINSLOW
(smirking)
You should be more grateful, Ofjoseph.
INT. JEZEBEL'S - NIGHT
Moira, disguised as a Marthas, covertly meets with several Handmaids who are part of the resistance.
MOIRA
Whispers say there's a new safe house. We can move people there.
HANDMAID 1
(whispering)
What's the location?
MOIRA
(hushed)
The old library on 5th. Look for the yellow door.
INT. JUNE'S ROOM - NIGHT
June writes a hidden message in the margins of a Bible page, detailing the location of the safe house.
INT. LAWRENCE HOUSEHOLD - DAY
The Handmaids and Marthas attend a gathering, maintaining appearances. June discreetly passes the message to another Handmaid.
JUNE
(whispering)
Share this with the others, but be careful.
HANDMAID 2
(nodding)
Thank you, June.
EXT. YELLOW DOOR SAFE HOUSE - DAY
Rebels, including Handmaids, Marthas, and former Guardians, cautiously enter the safe house. Their faces convey hope and fear.
INT. YELLOW DOOR SAFE HOUSE - DAY
June, Moira, and other resistance leaders discuss their plan.
JUNE
We need to start moving people out of Gilead. We can't win this fight on our own.
MOIRA
It's a risk. The closer we get to the border, the more attention it brings.
JUNE
(resolute)
It's a risk we have to take. All of us.
INT. YELLOW DOOR SAFE HOUSE - NIGHT
A flashback reveals a previous attempt at escape, where the Handmaids and other rebels narrowly avoided capture.
EXT. BORDER CROSSING - NIGHT
Rebels prepare to send a group across in the pitch-black night. June hugs a young Handmaid tightly.
JUNE
Promise me you'll run and never look back.
YOUNG HANDMAID
(tearful)
I promise, June.
As they hold onto each other, the screen fades to black.
TO BE CONTINUED.
