Hello, everyone! This story idea came from an idea sparked from a show I was in this past February/March. My theatre school did a professional version of Euripides' Medea. It was my professional theatre debut and I was in the chorus (I had a blast!). But it was rewritten by our director to deal with the issues of women's rights in third world countries. As part of the chorus, we had to research and discuss how women are treated in these countries and how it will relate to us creating our roles as village women living these lives.

DISCLAIMER/ WARNING: This story will delve into some pretty deep themes (ie: rape, exploitation, virginity, abortion). This story takes place in a "male-dominated" society, where women (especially servants) have little to no rights, especially when it comes to their bodies. It won't go TOO deep to a point of no return, but this is just a warning.

Galinda Upland shot up in her cot, biting back a scream as she awoke from another nightmare. It was the same one almost every single night for the past six weeks, and no matter what she did, she couldn't shake it off. Most of the dream would vanish from her memory once she returned to reality, but it still didn't stop her from getting scared.

"… Glinny?" a small voice asked from a few cots down. "You okay?"

"Yes. F-Fine, E-Ebbie. Go… go to… s-sleep," Galinda whispered, trying not to wake the others.

"I can't, Glinny. I don't like the dark."

Sighing softly, Galinda slowly rose from her creaky cot and padded across the large room to where the younger girl was. She opened one of the windows, allowing the cool, late August air to cool down the room. She lifted her into her arms and hugged her close. "It… okay, E-Ebbie. Go… b-back… s-sleep now."

The little girl buried her face in Galinda's shoulder and clung to her. The older girl knew she was like a mother to her. In fact, as one of the oldest, she was like a mother to a lot of the younger girls. That was what it was like living in an orphanage. Despite the fact that she barely remembered her own mother, she was a good replacement for the younger ones.

"Now, get… s-sleep. You w-want… to be… b-bright-eyed… b-bushy t-t-tailed… to-m-morrow," Galinda smiled.

"Do you think a family will adopt me tomorrow?" little Ebbie asked, hope filling her hazel eyes.

Galinda smiled as she brushed the little girl's tangled light brown hair away from her face. "O-Of… c-course."

"What about you? Will a family come and adopt you, too?"

Galinda smiled at the little girl. She couldn't tell her that since she was eighteen, the chances of her getting adopted were slim-to-nothing. "… Sure… will."

"That's nice," Ebbie yawned, snuggling close to Galinda before she fell asleep.

The blonde tucked her back in and went back to her own cot. She sat up against the head of the bed, her legs crossed underneath her, and looked out the window. Tomorrow was the monthly adoption day at the orphanage. She had grown used to what to expect. She had to help the younger girls get ready and watch as most of them went home with couples. She knew she would never get chosen. She had grown used to it. When she was younger, she had been so close to going home with a family, but then when people found out about her speech impairment, they immediately changed their mind and adopted another girl. People always thought that she wasn't intelligent, but in reality, the blonde was quite bright. She just had trouble putting her thoughts into words. She knew she wasn't always like that, but she couldn't remember much about how her life was before. She hardly remembered anything from before the accident. She brushed her tasseled, blonde curls away from her face and tried to fall back asleep, though she didn't fully relax until hours later.

"Glinny! Glinny! Wake up! I get to go home today!" Ebbie said as she jumped onto Galinda's cot.

"Uh… wh…" Galinda mumbled, slowly opening her eyes.

"Glinny, come on! We have to get ready!" Ebbie said as she tried to pull the older girl up, still jumping up and down.

"O… O-kay," Galinda said as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and yawned.

"Galinda, are all the girls ready?" the orphanage director, Madame Sygh, asked two hours later as she hurried down the hall towards the blonde.

"Yes," Galinda nodded.

"Good. Make sure they are downstairs by noon."

Galinda nodded again and watched the middle-aged woman hurry away. That afternoon, she saw many girls get to go home, including Ebbie, who cried as she hugged the blonde goodbye, promising her that she would get a good home, too. Galinda doubted that she would, but nevertheless hugged the little girl and watched as she left with a young couple. She tried not to let the feeling of envy slip into her subconscious, knowing how much it meant to Ebbie to get another chance at having a family. Once the adoption assembly was over, most of the girls had gone home with families. The rest of the girls went back up to their cots to unpack their limited belongings.

The next morning, Galinda was called down to Madame Sygh's office. She hurriedly got washed and dressed, then hurried down the stairs. The orphanage director was sitting at her desk, finishing a cup of tea when Galinda knocked. "Come in, Galinda."

The blonde slowly stepped into the office. "You… w-wanted… see me?"

"Yes, dear. Have a seat."

Galinda obeyed and sat across from the director.

"Galinda, you have been with us since you were three years old. That's quite a long time. Since you are now eighteen, and you haven't been adopted in your years here, the time has come for you to leave us."

Galinda blinked. She knew that she was now too old to stay at the orphanage, but she didn't know where else to go.

"Luckily, I have connections. I have gotten you a job at the Emerald City Palace as a maid to the princess."

"A… m-maid?" Galinda asked.

"You should be thankful that I managed to find you a job, Galinda. There aren't many jobs that you can have that won't be affected by your… disability."

Galinda hung her head. "I… sorry."

Madame Sygh regarded the younger girl. "I have connections within the palace and I was informed that they are looking for a new maid. I told them that you are skilled in sewing, mending, washing, cleaning, and the like. I didn't tell them about your oddity, since you will not be required to speak that much. Actually, the less speaking involved, the better. Nevertheless, you got the job. You will get on the train first thing tomorrow morning, then take a carriage to the palace when you arrive at Shiz Station. Am I understood?"

"Yes," Galinda nodded, her gaze still on the floor.

"Good. Pack your things. And wear your best dress for tomorrow. You may leave."

Galinda nodded again and hurried out of the office. She let go of the breath she had been holding. She was finally leaving the orphanage. And she was going to live in the palace. As she packed, she wondered what life would have in store for her. Maybe she'll finally go somewhere where she is accepted. She had heard stories about the Emerald City, about how grand and green everything was. And the princess. She had heard that she was very kind and wise, just like her father, the Wonderful Wizard. She had also heard that her skin was the same shade of green as the city where she resided. Everyone knew that it was a sign from the deities-that-be that she was destined, true royalty. She was the envy of all who saw her. She had magical powers and, every year at the Ozical Jubilee, used her powers to transform the entire square into a celebratory garden. She couldn't wait to see it all with her own eyes.

The next morning, Galinda was the first one up. She got washed and dressed in her simple blue, cotton dress, brushed her hair and packed her suitcase. After she said goodbye to all the girls, she met Madame Sygh in the foyer.

"Are you all ready, Galinda?" Madame Sygh asked when she saw the blonde, handing her an extra bag filled with food for her journey.

"Yes," Galinda nodded.

"Good. The coach is here to take you to the train station. Here is your ticket. Don't lose it. When you get off at Shiz, the carriage will already be waiting to take you to the palace. You should arrive there later this afternoon." The director regarded the blonde girl whom she had watched grow up and pulled her into a hug. "Ozspeed, my dear."

"Th-Thank… you," Galinda smiled, being released from the hug and waving to everyone as she left. The climbed into the carriage, placed her suitcase on the floor in front of her, and continued waving as it drove away. She reached the station before she knew it and was helped out of the carriage.

"Frottica! Frottica, everyone! All aboard at Frottica!" the conductor called, ringing a large, loud bell.

Galinda grabbed her suitcase and bag of food and boarded the train. A few moments after she found a seat, the doors closed and the train took off.

"Tickets, please!" the conductor said as he passed by, punching tickets.

Galinda handed him her tickets and he punched it, smiling. "Enjoy your trip, Miss."

"Th-Thank you," Galinda smiled as he walked away. She contently watched the passing scenery of the Gillikin whiz by her. The train made stops in Wittica, Settica, Red Sand, Dixxi House, then finally pulled into the final stop, Shiz.

"Shiz! This is the final stop! Shiz! Everyone off at Shiz!" the conductor called.

Galinda collected her things and stepped off the train. She immediately saw the small, emerald green carriage Madame Sygh said would be waiting for her.

"Galinda Upland?" the driver asked when he saw the blonde approaching him.

"Yes," Galinda nodded. "That's… me."

The driver blinked, then slowly shook his head as he took Galinda's suitcase and helped her into the carriage. A flick of the reigns and the carriage pulled off. Galinda found herself floating in and out of consciousness as the trip progresses. She was jolted awake more than once by bumps in the road, and did her best not to yelp. As evening fell, she heard the bustle of voices and opened her eyes, finding herself surrounded by green. She looked out the window and smiled, seeing all the sights and shops of the Emerald City. Everything was green, just as she had imagined it. As the carriage reached the center of the city, it slowed down and the blonde redirected her gaze to the grand palace. She gasped. It was even more magnificent than she had pictured it. She had never seen anything so grand before in her life.

The carriage stopped at the bottom of the steps leading up to the large double doors of the palace. Galinda found herself straining her neck to see the top, and even when she did, she still couldn't see it. The doors opened and a woman in an emerald green maid outfit stood at the top of the stairs. Galinda took her suitcase and quickly made her way up the stairs and stopped in front of the woman.

"Galinda Upland, I presume," the woman said.

Galinda nodded. "Yes."

"I am Madame Morrible, head maid here," the older woman said as she motioned for Galinda to follow her inside and the doors closed behind them. "I will first show you to your quarters, then a brief tour of the palace and an explanation of your duties here."

Galinda nodded again and followed the woman down multiple hallways and down a flight of stairs.

"These are the maids quarters. The maids are here and the male servants stay on the opposite side of the palace. The common room is this first door on the left. Every maid has her own room here, although you will hardly do anything here except sleep and dress." Morrible opened the third door on the right and led Galinda inside. "This will be your room. You will find that your uniform dresses and aprons are already inside the closet. You will be expected to be in perfect uniform when working. Your hair is to be always tied back in a bun and covered with this white bonnet. You are required to always be wearing stockings and white flats. You will work from Mondays to Saturdays and have Sundays off to do as you please. Your payment of fifty green pennies a week will be given to you every Saturday at the end of the day. If you do anything to displease the royal family, or any of your superiors, wages will be deducted for that week. As I understand it, you are here to personally serve Her Royal Highness, the princess, but you are also going to do extra chores around the palace. Are there any questions?"

In truth, Galinda wasn't able to follow along with everything that Madame Morrible had said. She couldn't ask for her to repeat herself, and she couldn't say that she didn't catch everything. She would just have to play it by ear and learn as she went along. "No, m-ma'am."

Morrible narrowed her eyes at the blonde's slight stutter, but said nothing. "Very well. You will find nightgowns in the dresser. Get some rest. I shall be back tomorrow morning at seven o'clock sharp to collect you and get you started on your duties. The bathroom is all the way down the hall. You will be sharing it with at least five of the other maids. Good evening, Miss Galinda."

Galinda curtsied slightly, not sure how she should act around the head maid, and watched her go. She took the opportunity to look around her room. There was a bed in the corner with an emerald quilt, sheet, and pillow, next to a below a draped window. She looked in her closet and found three long, emerald green, cotton dresses with long sleeves and a collar, along with three full-body white aprons. A pair of simple, white flats were on the floor of the small closet. The blonde tried them on, and smiled when they slipped onto her feet effortlessly. She looked in her dresser next. In the top dresser, she found two uniform white bonnets. In the middle drawer, she found she found stockings and undergarments. In the third drawer, she found her nightgowns. And the bottom drawer was empty, probably for her own personal use. The blonde stood up and continued the mini tour of her new room. There was a desk and chair across from her bed, with a stack of paper, and ink well and quill, and a candlestick lamp resting on the top. Next to that was a full-body mirror and a large clock.

She went back to her suitcase and unpacked the clothes she had brought with her and placed them in the bottom drawer. She decided to get washed that night to make her morning routine go much quicker the next morning. She found the bathroom and was relieved to find no one else in there. She quickly washed and put on her nightgown. She had a bit of trouble remembering which door was hers, since they all looked the same, then eventually found it and decided that she had to do something to label it as hers. She climbed into bed, which was much more comfortable than her cot in the orphanage, and drifted off to sleep, wondering what life in the palace would bring her way.

The speech impairment Galinda has is called Broca's Aphasia. It is when the Broca's area in the left frontal lobe of the brain is damaged, causing effortful, non-fluent speech.

I only pre-wrote the first 8 chapters, but I simply couldn't wait to share this with you all. Don't forget to review and tell me what you think!