….. continued from 'Naomi Putnam's Tale', chapters 15 & 16. Continuing from the end of the 16th chapter in that FanFiction narrative, the story of Luke and Nick now carries beyond the end of Miller's THT season 5. Most of the principals now find themselves in Vancouver, Canada - some after a rough refugee train-trip from Toronto and now caged in a large refugee camp on the city's west-side. Others got there because of Naomi Putnam/Lawrence's obsession with Janine Lindo.

YOU CAN'T WRITE THIS STUFF

LETTERS FROM PRISON

Hey June,

I'm glad you made it to Vancouver. It sounded like quite the trek across Canada. Massed in that train, being met at each station in each city with Canadian troops surrounding it on all sides of the platform. It is heartening to hear that Nichole did so well. It sounded worse than our last days in Boston with Hannah, fighting for meagre baby-things. I won't even ask about diapers.

I'm not giving up on Hannah. Even from here.

Once again, I ask your forgiveness. For the mess in Toronto on your leaving. A few days after your train left, Mark Tuello skipped town. There's been nothing from Toronto's consulate, not even from the Embassy in Ottawa. I don't know if they are even there any more. No one is talking.

Rita followed soon after. She said she was helping refugee Americans first in Calgary, then in Vancouver (where you're headed). It would be wild if you wound up being 'processed' by her.

Any word on whether it's Anchorage or Hawai'i? I guess at this point, all you want is American soil, be it a sandy beach or cold tundra.

Your note was so short. I take it that you and Serena Joy are now leaning on/into each other. Remember our pact - I can't imagine she's safe around you.

Toronto was such a whirlwind - you and me getting separated in No Mans Land, I still have nightmares about you being taken away - nightmares 2.0. We kept trying to outdo each other as to who felt the most guilty. Okay, I do understand that with Noah and Nichole for the two of you to focus on, it tends to put all the vitriol aside, even if for only a moment. I wish I understood.

Rita visited me in the Don Jail before she left, and before my transfer to Kingston Pen. The lady is very different from the fragile martha who descended those airplane stairs. It was before your own escape - Rita used to sit with me and Moira in our living room and just shake all silent-like. Now, she has laser focus.

At the Don Jail, she basically said that I did not understand you. Nor could I. Erin used to quote Zoey, that soldier who perished during my escape. Erin would quote, "Gilead does that to you," and then her own signature, "Blessed are the fruitloops". I protested with Rita, that I was also a victim of Gilead. She got uncharacteristically stern - with me there in the fucking jail! She kept repeating, I may be traumatized, but not like you, not by a mile. Then the kicker, not like when you were with Nick Blaine.

I don't know if I can apologize for not understanding you and Nick.

I know you never intended opening up our marriage. That one was forced on to you, I guess. Which is not to say that once in Canada, you could just drop it. I understand now, although Rita says I don't. I kept trying to remind her - but she's now gone - that I try. So I guess I want to tell you that. I am trying.

My lawyer cautions me that the appeal is not a slam dunk. And it will take forever.

I want to ask more about Nick Blaine. Rita says I shouldn't. It's not like any of us can plan our lives. I'm no good at being noble, as you and Rita can attest, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. (I hope I got that quote right.)

Mostly, I'm sorry. Jesus - Rita, the Catholic, tells me that I insist on my husbandly rights too much - that from a woman who believes that marriage is an involatile sacrament!

We're right back where we were. After Hannah's and your capture, after Zoey the soldier gave covering fire so that me and Erin could speed by boat to Nova Scotia - I never thought I'd see you again. I thought you were dead. Now, we've seen Hannah on Gilead-TV…. she's so big. I cannot abide thoughts of her there.

But what can I do? I'm in here.

What I feel guiltiest about? Everything I've done for her, everything I've tried to do for and with you, it's all put me farther from you both. That's on me. There's way too much time in here to dwell on that.

So, I'll understand if Nick is your choice. I'll try to live with it. What that life is these days. Please give Nichole a hug for me.

Your husband, Luke

ETA - June, something is going on. My lawyer was just here. He told me to sit tight, and stay frosty. I'm no good at these things, but some of the lifers here say that good things might be happening…..

MY DARLING JUNE

If you're reading this, June, then it really is God's will. Martha Lori, she's guaranteed delivery, even from this prison. Remember? It's the one you were in. She walks between the raindrops in Gilead. Claims to be able even to 'direct Lieutenant Stans'.

Even so, I'm not giving up on my promise to you about Agnes. Not even from in here.

Thanks again for your short note. Rose brought it in. She risked a lot doing that. I'm not sure why she even would. Even so, I will probably never see her again…

…... nor the child she's carrying.

What do I know about you and Nichole? Just that you're not in Toronto any more. Luke? The only thing that Commander Lawrence has said about your husband is that the Canadians are buying it, hook, line, and sinker. They're pinning Luke's attack on the sympathizer as unprovoked.

I want you to know, June, why it is I am here. I have had 'appointments' with Lieutenant Stans. So far, I've held. You may be one of the few who knows what that is…. Stans' line is, 'everyone breaks, Commander, it's biology'. But things have lessened. It's hard to know if it is Lawrence interceding, or Martha Lori working her stealth.

Where are you? No point in asking, I suppose, Martha Lori said she does not do 'return mail'. I write this believing that you'll read it. It's what keeps me going.

Rose has left me. She's back in D.C. with her folks.

ETA - June, something is going on. Lawrence, he was just here. He told me to sit tight, and stay frosty. I'm no good at these things, but some of the burnouts here say that good things might be happening…..

RAINCOUVER, LOTUSLAND, THE LEFT COAST

Over coffee, at the corner of Alma and 4th in Vancouver, two blocks east of the Jericho Hill Camp front gate.

Nick: Actually Luke, I'm camping on the office floor, if you must know, downtown at the American Consulate. I thought of that hostel that you're at, but Tuello says that he could not guarantee security there.

Luke: Yah. Too many of us loyal Americans, real Star Spangled Americans - one big guy there looks down on traitorous, war criminals. He had a sister and a mother who you fuckers…..

Nick: It's nothing like that, Luke…

Luke: You'd have about 3 seconds, Commander Blaine, to explain that to people who've been on the run from your rape-state.

- silence -

Nick: - pause - Look, Luke, I thought we could talk about Nichole….. talk about June…..

Luke: Oh, the man wants to talk! - pause - Okay, I get it, Nichole - she has a claim on you. I certainly don't want her - thirty years from now - accusing me of withholding stuff about her, from her.

Nick: I appreciate that, I really do.

Luke: I don't give a fuck what you 'appreciate'. But June, she's her own actor, dude. Methinks you've never been with her when that was true. With you, she was entrapped. Stockholm. - silence - I've long since had to concede that 'the June' who stepped off of that boat was not the woman I'd married. I mean, for most of that time, I thought she was dead. - pause - Next best thing, she was with you….. entrapped.

Nick: Luke, you have no clue what Gilead is like…

Luke: ….. fuck you, Nick Blaine. You built the thing! - pause - Was it you? Did you take care of Waterford for her? What do you call it, 'particicute'? - pause - That's about the only thing you could have done that I could not have. Major 'June Osborne' brownie points, dude. - pause - But I'm her husband, dude. Me. Even the Anglicans up the hill at St. Helen's, they make room for that. Would St. Helen's make room for you?

- silence -

Nick: Are you finished?

Luke: I am nowhere near finished.

MARK TUELLO, EVENT ORGANIZER (YES, THAT'S A THING)

US Agent Mark Tuello, he entered the coffee shop, gave a wave to the two men, ordered at the counter, then sat with the two of them, they still eyeing one another.

Mark: - looking back and forth between the two - I actually do hope I'm intruding!

Luke: Mr. Tuello, I think you arrived at about the right time.

- pause -

Mark: Okay, you two. I need us to get focussed, and I actually think you both want to hear this.

Luke: - still looking at Nick - No, Mr. Tuello, we're ready. I'd like to deal with someone who isn't total bullshit. You're the best we've got.

- silence -

Mark: Okay, if you both will just listen for a minute…. by the way, Nick, we're working on your accommodation following the end of the month. Few of the hotels downtown are thrilled with hosting a former Commander of Gilead.

Luke: It's also not as if the word of Uncle Sam plays well in Canada these days. There are plenty of park benches in Anchorage…..

Mark: - heavy sigh - You know, I can come back. There are a million things I'd rather be doing….

Nick: No, let's do it. - looking at Luke - What have you got, Mr. Tuello?

- pause -

Mark: Are we good?

Luke and Nick: We're good.

- pause -

Mark: Okay, I wanted to do this with June here, maybe even Mrs. Waterford…. but this is good, just the two of you. Me, I hope it lowers the temperature a bit for you to hear.

Luke: Okay.

Mark: Mr. Bankole, you may be wondering why you're here….

Luke: Ya think?

Mark: The Commander's wife, Naomi Lawrence. She managed it, she did it. Although her Commander, Commander Lawrence, he did the 'bait-and-switch'.

Luke: The what?

Mark: Like Commander Blaine here, Mrs. Lawrence has been helping The United States on various issues. Bugger me why. Let's just say that I negotiated with her and her Commander a way to get you, Mr. Bankole, out from under that murder charge, and you, Commander Blaine, out of Gilead.

Nick: I'd like it if you dropped 'Commander', Mr. Tuello.

Mark: Okay, your choice. - pause - But Mrs. Lawrence's deal was to get you both here, free and clear, here in Vancouver. She'd cooked that up with Ms. Osborne, if you can believe it.

Luke: Both?

Mark: Both. - pause - Look, I don't care about that, not really. America, we had an accord with, er… with Mr. Blaine. With you here, Mr. Bankole, we remain friendly with Ms. Osborne. - pause - We also keep lines open with Martha Lori and her people, we show her we can deliver.

- Luke and Nick eye one another coldly -

Mark: We CAN deliver this for Martha Lori, can we not? - pause - For Ms. Osborne? - pause - Boys? - pause - Shall I arrange something for St. Helen's church gymnasium? With or without Nichole, with or without Mrs. Waterford?