Following torture, Moira viewed a movie on life in the Colonies, where three types of female drays — infertile Handmaids, elderly women, and incorrigibles — and some male "Gender Traitors" disposed of bodies and cleaned toxic dumps and radiation spills. The dangerous work with lethal substances usually kills these outcasts within three years. After a sterilization operation, Moira was allowed a place at Jezebel's, where she works nights and receives good food, drinks, drugs, and face cream as well as the attentions of other lesbians.
Alone with the Commander in an upstairs room, Offred tarries in the bathroom while remembering her mother's disappearance. Wearied, sad, and nearly inert, Offred stretches out beside her lover, who appears old and shrunken after he removes his clothes. He is disappointed by her lack of enthusiasm for illicit sex that is free of the constraints of their monthly ceremonial copulation, which is due to take place the next night. To improve their lovemaking, he proposes turning out the lights. They must return home by midnight.
