This eruption of beast-like violence affects all participants. Mentally unhinged, Janine clutches a tuft of blond hair and babbles innocuously, "You have a nice day." Offred accuses Ofglen of barbarism; Ofglen counters, "They're watching." Returning to her room, Offred tries to comprehend her own active participation in the savage execution, a monstrous emotional release that leaves her famished.
That afternoon, Offred joins a new Ofglen. Cautiously, Offred tests the new girl for loyalty and seeks to extract information about the former Ofglen's whereabouts and about Mayday. Offred fears that the former Ofglen may betray her to the authorities. In terror of harm to Luke, Moira, mother, or child, Offred knows that she would comply with interrogators, even if they aimed reprisals at her family. As Offred turns to go, the new Ofglen whispers, "She hanged herself. . . . She saw the van coming for her."
Safe from potential betrayal, Offred embraces the Red Center's teachings, thus capitulating to the insidious power of indoctrination and terrorism. At the steps of the Commander's house, she confronts a new menace — Serena with cloak and sequined garment in hand. Serena grips her cane as she demands, "How could you be so vulgar?" Calmly entering the house by the kitchen door, Offred, basket in hand, ponders the reason for Serena's anger and wonders if she really loves the Commander.
