At the window of her room, Offred ponders her disgrace. She weighs her alternatives:
· suffocation by setting the house on fire
· escape via a rope of bedsheets draped out the shatterproof window
· confession to the Commander and a plea for mercy
· hanging by bedsheets in the closet
· a surprise attack on Serena, whose murder would also end Offred’s life through the resulting execution
· escape out the door and down the street as far as Offred can flee in her giveaway red habit
· sanctuary in Nick’s room
The unforeseen arrival of a black police van deepens Offred’s dread. Suddenly, Nick enters her room and urges her to go with agents from Mayday. Clutching at his call for trust, she exits with two unidentified men. On her way through the foyer, she passes Serena and the Commander, who demands a warrant for so abrupt and irregular an intrusion into his home. Offred’s escort claims that she has violated state secrets. Serena calls her a bitch; Cora weeps.
