Motherland

[rhythmic breathing, music continues]

Zack! Boys aren't allowed here!

You know that! Wyatt, go! Now!

-Come on! Now! - Come on. Let's go.

Girls-only section! You know better!

Attention, students and staff.

Please return to your rooms.

Center doors will be closing imminently.

Good news for the coming winter.

The Department of Food and Drink has confirmed

that this year's crops have come in

and all quotas per capita have been exceeded.

All over the country, transportation has begun.

The sustenance workers are headed back into the cities,

and distribution will be on schedule this year.

And now for the results of yesterday's poll question.

Has your overall satisfaction increased

or remained the same over the past month?

You voted, and we listened.

The results show a 13% increase in satisfaction.

Congratulations, Motherland.

If you have a tip for Motherland News,

we encourage you to call the number on your screen.

Work placements, promotions, and changes will take place

at the end of the summer months.

Motherland is pleased to report

that She has greatly streamlined

the operating systems of every major industry.

I'm Genevieve, and this has been

your Motherland Nightly News for Region 8.

As the center nurse, it is imperative --

imperative -- that I have access

to all of the children's dorm rooms.

Alice, if -- if it were imperative,

then Toni would have given you access, okay?

Come on. Come on.

We -- We all have access to the rooms

where we're supposed to do our jobs properly, okay?

And how do you expect me to do my job prop--

Then -- Then take it up with Toni.

Oh. Ms. Cora, can I speak with you?

It's imperative.

Motherland's word of the day.

I have an opening today at 3:00.

Don't be late or that word is pointless.

Thank you, Ms. Cora.

This is Toni, head of Children's Center Region 8,

returning your call regarding numbers.

Uh, I'm always, uh, always eager

to assist the Women's Department in whatever way I can, sir.

I'm actually very grateful to have the opportunity.

So I await, uh, details at your convenience.

Thank you so much.

What have you got for me?

This year's honor roll.

I was expecting --

hoping for one more on our honor roll this year.

Let's see.

N-- I...

What about this one?

Zinnia. One point shy, even with today's word.

Really?

Ah -- Oh, yes.

Left pencil shavings in the grass.

Perhaps you could find one more point somewhere.

The score is the score.

You passed the test -- again.

Congratulations

on our centennial anniversary, Motherland.

We are celebrating a successful 100 years

of Amma Kane's comprehensive theorem,

which provides for all her children's needs,

from food to clothing to shelter.

Our beloved system eliminated pre-Revolution disparities

caused by marriage and parenthood.

To mark this momentous occasion,

there will be special events at the Children's Center,

where Amma Kane's plan for each of us begins.

From birth, the Children's Center raises

and educates each child

until they take the official pledge of citizenship

in their 20th year.

Our students learn Amma Kane freed us

from being burdens to others

and bearing burdens from others,

especially liberating our young women.

I like being a woman, and I was always looking forward to it.

Hear that, scorekeepers?

She passed the test.

Freedom from all, for all, now and forever.

Natasha, you're back.

We've been shorthanded without you.

You must be relieved that's all over.

It's great to have you back.

Thanks.

Must have swiped after midnight at the department.

We've all been there.

Thanks.

It's imperative that I get my coffee in the morning.

Those go down better with food.

I used to take mine with breakfast.

Good idea.

She continued drawing,

and she must have become distracted or something.

You didn't pick it up?

It wasn't my litter.

I shouldn't lose points just because I have a keen eye.

-It's not fair. -Certainly not.

I really cannot afford a work placement in the laundry.

-It just doesn't make sense. -Thank you, Willa.

That's all for today.

I swear I was here at 3:00 p.m. exactly.

But I didn't want to burden you with an interruption,

and so I debated the pros and cons, and I --

I know, Zinnia. I have not deducted points.

So, it's my Pledge Year, and I'm really hoping

to get placed at the Women's Department.

But I know that I need to make honor roll to have a shot at it.

Are you asking for advance notice?

-N-No. -Or to boost your rankings?

I would never ask that.

Of course not. I'm not accusing you.

I just thought maybe there was something extra I could do.

Anything at all.

Zinnia, I know how much you want the department placement,

but the rankings are not up to me or anyone else.

We simply record the data. We don't create it.

I've been using the word of the day every day --

sometimes multiple usages.

I spent all day Sunday cleaning the women's quarters,

and I painted the new murals in the gym locker rooms.

I have recorded all of this, Zinnia.

Answer me this.

Are you free from unjust expectations?

Because burdening Motherland with these kinds of --

- - You...

Y-Your, um...

What?

Oh. Oh. I've had that forever.

No!

Please! Please.

[monitor beeping, ultrasound whirring]

No!

[box thuds, beeping, whirring stop]

She has the birthmark.

-I don't see it. -She keeps it covered.

You have to see it from the right angle.

Your daughter? Come on.

Mateo, report to the assembly room.

I can't believe it.

She never should have ended up in Region 8.

W-We can't make contact.

I know that.

I'm not delusional.

It wouldn't be fair.

Yeah. Exactly. It wouldn't be fair.

Well...

She...showed extra initiative.

Excellent.

Good morning, everyone. Happy Saturday.

Well, I won't keep you in suspense.

The Women's Department has confirmed

that we are in sharp population decline.

What does that have to do with us?

We're a Children's Center. It has everything to do with us.

We don't make them. We just raise them.

If we do not replace ourselves in the population,

we are projected to die out in some decades.

Fortunately, the Women's Department

has designed a new pilot program.

- ...now and forever. - They are calling it

the Population Growth Program.

One hundred years ago, Amma Kane made history

with the most important legislation

of anyone's lifetime.

It was decreed that upon birth,

all newborns would be presented to the Children's Center

to be raised by the Motherland,

ensuring for the children fruitful lives

and freeing the mothers from disparate burdens.

It makes sense, actually.

The theorem expounds upon what happens after the child is born,

but it says nothing about where the babies are made.

As long as we are still free to enjoy each other as we wish,

a more targeted program is a good idea.