Serena is taking a visit from Evelyn Hutchins, Commander Hutchins' wife. Evelyn is a good Gileadean wife. Gracious, pious, and loyal to her husband, as she was clearly sent by her Commander to follow up on the realities of widowhood in Gilead. Serena and Evelyn are in the sitting room having tea.
Evelyn: I can't imagine how hard it is. You're courage and strength is inspiring, really it is.
Serena: The Lord is my strength.
Evelyn: Praise be.
Evelyn pauses a moment and her demeanor becomes more vulnerable.
Evelyn: The Commander and I are living with our fourth Handmaid now. We're beginning to lose hope. But Roger always reminds me that the Lord never gives us challenges we can't meet. Still, even Christ needed help caring his cross. We don't need to bear these burdens alone. Perhaps, these recent trial are a call from God to devote yourself more completely to Him, as a wife.
Serena stares at her: ...God took my husband so he can pass me to another man?
Evelyn stares back at her, sets her jaw, sits back in her chair and drops the pretense though her tone is till stern.
Evelyn: It's a matter of survival, Serena, and you know it.
Serena scoffs at the quick turn around, but Evelyn continues.
Evelyn: You've come so far with Fred. The other Wives look up to you, they really do. We would hate to see you shuffled off as no more than a ward of some other household.
Serena: We haven't even had the funeral yet.
Evelyn says as gently as possible: ...Six different Commanders due for promotion have already requested this house with their new positions. They'll give you a month, maybe two...
Serena exhales and leave the tea table. Evelyn watches her go to the liquor cabinet and pour a glass of whiskey. Serena takes a long sip, staring out the window. Gilead wouldn't approve, but Evelyn can't blame her. She feels bad but perseveres anyway.
Evelyn: Roger is in charge of that stuff, you know. Grooming young Guardians and seeing to Commander promotions. ...We could find you someone who would let you keep this house. A gentleman. Someone who will stay out of your way, except ceremony nights, of course.
Serena takes another deep sip. She can't look at Evelyn when she says: Like who?
Before Evelyn can answer, screeching sirens announce an ambulance coming down the street. Something is said over the radio frequency of the Guardians that prompts many to step outside or closer to the ambulance. Some even follow behind it. Instinctively, Serena knows this affects her somehow. She sets the whiskey down and runs to the front door to address the Guardian on post.
Serena: Is it Offred?
Guardian: No, it's Guardian Blaine.
Serena: What?
Guardian: He's been shot while looking for the Handmaid.
Serena stares at him unable to call "bullshit." Nick and that girl were like a high school melodrama. No. He turned on them, and that led to Fred's death. Now he has the gall to come back?! Serena's neck is taut with anger she is not allowed to explain and instead says
Serena: Take me to the hospital. Now.
At the hospital Serena asks to see Nick. Nick is shirtless on a bed with a sterile gauze covering his shoulder and hooked up to some machine. He's surrounded by other Guardians and another Commander speaking to him. He must be on painkillers because his eyes are somewhat glazed over. The Commander is staring at him closely, voice stern.
Commander: You're well being is our top priority. We'll let you rest and keep some men here for your protection.
Nick: Thank you, sir
Commander: And tomorrow we expect answers
Nick: Of course, sir.
Commander: Under His eye.
Nick: Under His eye. (Nick sees Serena and says.) Mrs. Waterford, I'm so sorry, Fred was a good man.
Serena could strangle him, but instead focuses on saying as demurely as possible: May I speak with him alone.
Everyone leaves. Nick and Serena are silent for a moment.
Nick: I'm sorry I couldn't help Mr. Waterford.
Serena: Don't talk to me about Fred! Where is she?
Nick: I don't know.
Serena: Do not insult me, you lying son of a bitch, I was there! You got together because of me! Where is she?!
Nick: I'm trying to help, Mrs. Waterford, I just don't know.
Serena jams her fingers into the gauze patch: Where is she?
Nick grits his teeth and grabs her wrist tightly. Serena tries to get her arm free, but Nick won't let go. He yanks her closer.
Nick: You should go home, Mrs. Waterford. (then he finally lets go)
Serena stares at him and says in a low voice: You have no idea how big of a mistake it is turn on me, but you will.
She leaves.
After an hour or so an orderly comes into the room with a tray of water and some bread. He sets it down on a table.
Nick: Thank you.
Orderly closes the door and rounds on Nick: What the hell are you doing here?!
Nick: 'Scuse me?
Orderly: Did I stutter? Have you any idea how many people put their lives on the line to get that girl out the first time, before she screwed it up? Or how difficult it was to get operations up and running again after the explosion? Now this! Half a dozen dead Guardians and Waterford?
Nick sits up: You're Mayday?
Orderly: No, I'm your fairy fucking godmother. So you're going to tell me, what the hell are you doing here?
Nick had only reached out to Mayday once and it didn't end well. They're not exactly allies, but it's something that they can speak freely.
Nick: I had to come back.
Orderly waits for more: ...No, you need to do better than that.
Nick sighs: She's sick. I have to get her some medicine.
Orderly: Oh, so you think you're getting out of here? That's cute.
Nick is firm: I have to.
Orderly: No, you don't, you're dead. (he points to the door) They may be crazy, but they're not stupid.
Nick can deny that and doesn't have a response.
Orderly: Look, you know that they're going to torture and kill you, right? (He withdraws a syringe) A little puff of air in the blood stream; it'll be mostly painless.
Nick shifts uncomfortably away: No, I'm good.
Orderly narrows his eyes frustrated: Are you on mission? Do you have a message?
Nick: I need to get her medicine.
Orderly: So, no, you're not here on Mayday's orders. You've seen my face and worked with others in Mayday. We can't allow you to be in their custody.
Nick: No-
Orderly is getting closer with the syringe and Nick tries to grab his arms to stop his advance.
Orderly: Hey, no hard feelings
Nick: No, No- I'm more valuable to you alive!
Orderly steps back exasperated: How?
Nick: I'm an eye. I could get you information, insight.
Orderly scoffs: Not after they kill you.
Nick: Mayday could protect me.
Orderly: We could? How?
Nick: I know Mayday's got people. Someone to vouch for me. Someone who can make this go away.
Orderly is considering it.
Nick: ...Do that, and I will make it worth your while.
Orderly:... it's not up to me, but I'll ask.
Nick: On one condition.
Orderly laughs: Oh yeah?
Nick: A safe house, about ten miles North of route 20. Please, she really needs medication.
Orderly doesn't nod or say anything, he just backs away and leaves.