The Handmaid's Tale, #2
The Testaments
by Margaret Atwood
Contents
44
Overview
Jade is approached by Pearl Girls Aunt Beatrice and Aunt Dove, who, after a staged confrontation with Garth, claim to purchase her. They confine and reoutfit her, then secure forged documents making Jade the traveling “Aunt Dove,” revealing Gilead’s reach inside Canadian systems. Jade clears the border and boards a private Gilead jet, committing to the dangerous mission.
Summary
On the fifth day, Jade worries the Pearl Girls may have rejected her cover, but Garth urges patience and warns against being taken too quickly. When the Pearl Girls return, they approach Jade while Garth is away, pressing her about abuse and exploitation. Garth returns, stages anger, and after a private exchange with Aunt Beatrice, departs, allowing the Pearl Girls to claim he has sold Jade to them.
Aunt Beatrice and Aunt Dove escort Jade to their modern condo, keeping close watch and locking her in at night. They outfit her in a Pearl Girl dress and explain the need to present her as a Pearl for exit and entry, insisting on modesty and obedience. They claim Canadians confuse Pearl Girls, and outline identity switching to move girls across borders.
Over the next days, they process documents to pass Jade as the traveling “Aunt Dove,” capturing her biometrics and leveraging the Gilead Embassy and Consulate to certify a passport and embed her data in Canadian systems. They reveal Gilead’s friends within Canadian infrastructure and issue Jade a PEARL GIRL stamp granting expedited entry.
Aunt Beatrice and Jade travel by official car to the airport and clear border control without trouble. They board a private jet marked with the winged Eye, as Jade reflects on refugees at SanctuCare and confronts the fear and isolation of leaving the known for Gilead, carrying only a small resolve to guide her.
Who Appears
- Jade (Nicole)Undercover as a vulnerable teen; taken by Pearl Girls, re-dressed, given forged papers, and flown toward Gilead.
- Aunt BeatriceLead Pearl Girl handler; negotiates Jade’s ‘purchase,’ controls logistics, and secures documents through Gilead channels.
- Aunt DovePearl Girl whose identity Jade assumes; supervises modesty rules and border-passing strategy.
- GarthHandler who stages anger and a fake sale to the Pearl Girls, enabling Jade’s extraction plan.