Motherland (2025)
Director: Evan Matthews
Writer: Nicole Swinford
Stars: Miriam Silverman, Holland Taylor, Nestor Carbonell
Plot: In an alternate present society where the state frees parents from the burden of raising children, a rule enforcer learns a shocking truth that sparks her rebellion.
* * *
Motherland (2025) | Transcript
[downtempo music plays]
[rhythmic breathing, music continues]
[music ends]
[birds chirping]
[downtempo music plays]
[shutter clicking]
[man] Zack!
Boys aren’t allowed here!
You know that!
Wyatt, go! Now!
Come on! Now!
[Wyatt] Come on. Let’s go.
[man] Girlsonly section!
You know better!
[music continues]
[man]
Attention, students and staff. Please return to your rooms. Center doors will be closing imminently.
[music builds, continues]
[music slows, continues]
[reader beeps, lock clicks]
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.
[children shouting indistinctly]
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 propThen
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.
[reader beeps, lock clicks]
[Toni] This is Toni, head of Children’s Center Region 8, returning your call regarding numbers.
[door closes]
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?
[Cora]
This year’s honor roll.
[Toni]
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.
[downtempo music plays]
The score is the score.
You passed the test
again.
[Genevieve]
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.
[dramatic music plays]
Our beloved system eliminated preRevolution 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.
[Genevieve]
Hear that, scorekeepers? She passed the test. Freedom from all, for all, now and forever.
[music ends, machine beeps]
[door opens, closes]
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.
[machine chirping]
[machine beeps, liquid pouring]
[chuckles softly]
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.
[chuckles weakly]
Those go down better with food.
I used to take mine with breakfast.
Good idea.
[woman]
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?
NNo.
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
[downtempo music plays]
[baby crying] [Cora] You…
YYour, um…
What?
Oh. Oh.
I’ve had that forever.
[music continues]
[music continues]
[sobbing]
No!
[monitor beeping]
[music builds, continues]
Please!
Please.
[monitor beeping, ultrasound whirring] No!
[box thuds, beeping, whirring stop]
[Cora]
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.
[static crackles]
[man] 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.
[sighs]
I’m not delusional.
It wouldn’t be fair.
Yeah. Exactly.
It wouldn’t be fair.
[downtempo music plays]
[door opens, closes]
[door opens, closes]
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.
[Toni] 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.
[group] …now and forever.
[Toni] They are calling it the Population Growth Program.
[Toni] 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.
[Toni]
Up to today, generational replacement in our population has been left to chance.
This seems an absurd premise.
How did we fall for it?
Yvonne, how did we fall for it?
We were burdened with a…
bad idea?
Not quite.
Um…Zinnia.
A bad understanding.
[Toni]
Precisely.
Scholars have recently discovered that Amma Kane did not immediately implement the last part of her system.
And we will initiate generational replacement of the population as the Kane Theorem was meant to be.
We’re resorting to fforce?
What would Amma Kane say?
Her theorem was clear.
Nobody is being forced.
You girls will be the first Pledge Year to replace yourselves in the population.
This opportunity will be open to all students who have made the honor roll.
[paper rustling]
If we are successful, the program will roll out across all regions.
Yvonne.
Please.
Sign in.
Excellent.
Zack.
Very good.
Wyatt.
Uma.
Wanda.
Congratulations.
Zinnia.
Yay!
[Toni]
Yes, Zinnia.
Please sign.
And William.
[footsteps approaching, pencil scratching] Very good.
Thank you all.
What a momentous day.
[baby crying in distance]
They took the baby away so fast.
I didn’t even get to know if it was a boy or a girl.
[crying continues]
I begged them.
I begged them to know.
[clears throat]
After the trauma of a birth, a woman’s hormones can go haywire.
It’s an unfair burden, but the pills should help.
Fair.
They kept telling me how fair it all was.
How many of these do I have to take for it to become fair?
[crying continues]
It’s all so new for you.
Do you think you could help me with something?
[downtempo music plays]
[Cora] Toni wants them paired up in advance to keep the process How long did it take…
…for things to go back to normal for you?
[music continues]
I don’t remember.
These two look nice together.
They look like siblings.
I’ll be right back.
[door opens, closes]
[music builds, continues ]
[reader beeps, lock clicks]
[Toni]
What do you got for me?
Nothing yet.
I need the birth records.
Why?
What ever for?
I need to know who the bearers and donors are for each student.
There’s a danger of inbreeding otherwise.
Ah.
[thud, indistinct shouting] [reader beeps, lock clicks]
[Natasha]
I just want my baby.
[groaning]
[screaming] I got it. Come on. Easy.
All right. Easy.
No!
Easy.
I just want my baby!
I just want to see!
[voices fading] [downtempo music plays, woman vocalizing]
[moans]
Cora.
Cora…
[Toni] Cora.
…help me.
Help me.
[Toni] Help her!
No. No, no.
No.
No, no!
No!
[Toni] Help her.
No! No!
No.
No. No.
No. No!
[Toni] Hold her. Hold her.
No. Cora.
Cora.
[Toni] Hold her.
No!
[breathing heavily, grunts]
[weakly] There’s something wrong with you.
[exhales deeply]
[Toni]
All right.
All right.
Now…
quickly before any student sees, just take her to rest.
Yeah.
[Toni] Carl…
Okay.
…take her to the sanctuary.
One, two, three. Go.
[Toni] All right. Good.
[Cora]
[exhales sharply]
Well done, Cora.
W-Will she be gone long?
Well…recovery can’t be rushed.
Now…[clears throat] Listen.
You don’t need any more records.
The department will sign off on your pairings as soon as you’re finished.
[music continues]
[man]
Attention. All classes will be canceled next Friday. Staff are required to assist the Women’s Department with the Population Growth Program. Oh, Ms. Cora.
Yes. Zinnia. What is it?
I…I hope I wasn’t too much of a burden the other day.
I’ve been working on what we talked about.
You don’t have to do it.
The new program.
Of course I do.
This is going to clinch the Women’s Department placement for me.
[downtempo music plays]
Zack, leave your sample in the room.
[music continues]
[music builds, continues]
[indistinct talking on radio]
[reader beeps, lock clicks]
[music continues]
[hinges creaking, plastic crinkling]
[music continues]
[reader beeps]
[downtempo classical music plays]
[tone plays on speaker]
[music continues]
[water running]
[music continues]
Get away.
[indistinct conversations]
[music continues]
[music ends]
That’s not possible.
I’m sorry, Zinnia.
These were your results.
Did you talk with Nurse Alice about this?
I did.
This is from her report.
Hormonal imbalance.
No follicles detected.
Bad candidate.
Status
infertile.
I know this is a shock.
But try to see the positive.
You’ll still receive points for accepting the mission to Motherland.
[downtempo music plays]
Okay.
I have to go.
We’ll discuss next steps tonight.
[bird calling]
[music continues]
[Alice]
Now, go ahead and get undressed.
[Yvonne]
Okay, Ms. Alice.
[Alice]
And whenever you’re ready, move your hips down as low as you can.
You’ll feel a little pressure.
[Yvonne]
Okay, Ms. Alice.
[indistinct conversations]
What’s going on?
I thought Zinnia was a nogo.
There was no sample for her.
Not in the office.
But thankfully, I already put the secondary samples in the surgical refrigerator.
[Myrtle] Zinnia thought she was out of the program.
She’s clearly confused.
[downtempo music plays]
[group]
…and to protect Motherland from all that dare encroach upon her…
…who provides a fair and just society.
Freedom from all, for all, now and forever.
[tone plays on speaker]
[man] Zinnia, please report to Nurse Alice for your eightweek ultrasound. [door rattles] [Mateo] Oh!
[Zinnia] Oh!
[exhales sharply]
I’m sorry.
I’m so sorry!
Zinnia, immediately report to Nurse Alice for your eightweek ultrasound. No, no, no.
Just
Just leave it.
Leave it.
It’s fine.
Go.
[downtempo music plays]
[Alice]
Lift up your shirt.
This may be a bit cold.
[monitor beeping, keyboard clicking] Is everything okay?
Perfectly normal.
[monitor beeping]
I’m sorry.
I swear I wasn’t You wouldn’t be able to understand it if you saw anyway.
We’re specially trained for it.
Of course. That makes sense.
I understand perfectly.
Though it’s been said an informed society…
…is a good society.
Yeah. Thomas says that in class all the time.
Thomas has been saying that for a long time.
[monitor beeping]
It wouldn’t be fair to have an experience that the others did not.
[ultrasound whirring]
Plus one more for Motherland.
Did I pass?
Perfectly.
[music continues]
[record crackling, midtempo music playing]
[footsteps approaching]
[music continues]
[Myrtle] Some rest while others work late.
Have you heard from Natasha?
No.
Have you?
No.
Look.
She’s fine.
She’s in the sanctuary.
Probably just languishing in her lack of responsibility.
Would have been better if she had just miscarried.
Right?
[music ends]
[record crackling, midtempo music plays]
[music playing in distance]
[downtempo music plays]
[music builds, continues]
[music builds, continues]
[Genevieve]
Good news, Motherland. To celebrate the centennial anniversary, expect your ration packets to increase from a sensible two meals to a sensible three meals a day for the rest of the month. I’m Genevieve, and this has been your Motherland Nightly News for Region 8. [dramatic music plays] Did you get another chocolate folic bar?
Yeah.
Do you want it?
[Yvonne] I’ll trade you my strawberry for it.
[Willa] At this point, you should just start each day by switching rations.
We’re trading for them.
We’re being fair.
I’ve had too many chocolate ones anyway.
It’s a good deal.
[Willa] Baby names.
[Yvonne] What’s that?
[Willa]
I found it on the floor there.
Look.
The name Rose is circled.
You’re not supposed to name them.
Okay. How would you know?
You’re not even in the program.
Besides, don’t we get top three choices, like with work placements?
[Willa]
And why would they do that?
Motherland picks each child’s name after careful consideration.
Yeah.
You don’t need to worry about it anyway, right?
[Willa]
Mm.
Thanks.
[birds crying]
[Toni] Now, it is important that we guide the students through this new stage in Amma Kane’s system.
To this end, I have written up four lectures.
You each will take one topic.
Everything you need to know is there.
We will do these one every three months, starting with Alice in prenatal care, Thomas with reexamining Amma Kane, Myrtle on the mechanism of birthing, and lastly, on the importance of population numbers and resources, Cora.
But I’m not a teacher.
Well, with Natasha laid up in the sanctuary, I need you to step up.
[downtempo music plays]
[Cora] Zinnia, center doors are closing.
Sorry, Ms. Cora.
You’re not late yet. Hurry up.
Line up!
Line up.
Let today’s trivia begin.
Line up. New water bottles for the winners.
How many departments make up Motherland’s central system?
Nine.
Correct.
To your reward.
[light applause]
When Amma Kane first proposed her theorem, it was to solve what specific problems?
The problems of childcare and motherhood.
Correct.
In what year did Amma Kane pass away?
Hint Our current Head of Center was only 10 years old at the time.
Year 36 AK.
Year 35 AK.
Very close.
Yes.
That’s what I said.
Right?
To the back of the line.
[Yvonne]
[whispering] It’s fine.
How much did female happiness improve with the implementation of the Women’s Department?
By 71%.
Correct.
What are three other burdens that Motherland frees us from?
[Wyatt]
Freedom from harm, freedom from poverty, freedom from each other.
[Thomas]
Correct.
Stay hydrated.
Thanks.
How’s it going?
All I want to do is eat salty food.
[chuckles] Really?
[Yvonne] Oh!
Uh…
[breathing heavily]
[downtempo music plays]
[whimpers]
Um, is this okay?
[group murmuring]
Is this okay?
Is this oka
[man]
Did you see that?
[Yvonne]
[sobs] Is it o
Um…
Is this
[sobs] Is she…
Is she, uh
Is Is
Is she gonna be okay?
[voices fading, echoing]
[music continues]
[indistinct conversation]
[Mateo]
What were you thinking, Cora?
I mean, are you trying to get disowned?
What are you doing?
No. No. Of course not.
I told you
I told you…
I told you not to get involved.
I was trying to protect my daughter.
How?
How are you protecting her?
In what reality, Cora?
You put her in danger, okay?
You put two girls in danger.
And she made a choice, and you tried to take that away from her.
I had no other option.
[machinery whirring]
I don’t know what to do now.
Nothing. You do You do absolutely nothing.
That is so easy for you to say.
You’re just down here.
You’re disconnected.
I am out there with her.
I cannot watch her go through that.
I can’t let it happen.
I…
It’s okay.
[sighs]
YYou know, you’re not the only one struggling here.
It’s almost time to announce this year’s work placements, Motherland. Scorekeepers are tabulating the data. Students in their final year will soon learn if they’ve earned enough points to land their dream jobs. I’m Genevieve, and this has been your Motherland Nightly News for Region 8. [dramatic music plays] I bet you’ll still be in the top percentile.
So I’m sure you’ll get whatever work placement you want.
I don’t care about that.
Right.
I’m sorry.
I’m so sorry, Yvonne.
I guess I just…
I don’t know what to say or do.
No one does.
[exhales deeply]
I-I miss her.
[exhales deeply]
I miss Rose.
[bird crying]
[Zack] Careful, ’cause it’s about to fall apart.
It’s on its last leg.
[Wyatt]
Thomas is gonna be pissed.
[Zack]
Not if he doesn’t find out.
Come on.
Let’s try this thing out.
[Wyatt]
Over here.
[ball thuds, indistinct conversation]
[Wyatt]
Oh, man.
[Zack]
Go get it.
Come on.
We’re gonna get in trouble.
[Wyatt]
I’m not going.
[Zack]
You can’t leave it there.
I’m not gonna get in trouble for this. You kicked it.
[Wyatt] I’m not going into the danger zone.
We’ll get caught.
[Cora] Yes, you will.
[downtempo music plays]
[birds chirping, leaves crackling]
[music continues]
[music fades, ends]
[metal creaking]
[downtempo music plays]
[music continues]
[music builds, continues]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[Cora]
It exists.
[door closes]
[music fades, ends]
[exhales sharply]
[Toni]
Congratulations to all.
We have passed the halfway mark.
In four short months, we’ll have absolutely beautiful births, and we will pledge the incoming class.
Myrtle is next in our lecture series, and I believe that is all.
Thank you.
What are you two up to tonight?
Need any company?
What do you think?
Okay.
What about you, Cora?
I have to prepare my resources lecture.
Prepare what?
All the info is on the sheet.
Uh, not all of us are natural public speakers.
Or teachers.
[door opens]
[Yvonne] [whispering]
Please. Let me out.
[reader beeping]
[hand thudding]
[reader beeps, alarm rings]
[alarm ringing in distance]
[alarm stops]
[sobs softly]
I never thought to try before.
I’m sorry for what happened to you, Yvonne.
Everybody’s sorry.
You’re sorry.
I’m sorry.
[Cora]
How can I help?
W-What do you need, Yvonne?
I wouldn’t want to be a burden.
I already know there’s something wrong with me, Ms. Cora.
[sobbing softly]
[downtempo music plays]
[footsteps passing]
[music builds, continues]
[reader beeps, lock clicks]
Keep up.
[insects chirping, leaves crackling] What is this place?
It’s a remnant.
Before the Revolution.
Someone took great care to preserve it all.
It’s been forgotten about.
I don’t think anyone knows about this place.
[downtempo music plays]
[laughs softly]
Things were very different.
[Zinnia]
What’s that?
It’s called nursing.
It’s how babies were fed.
It’s unnatural.
It…
You won’t have to do it.
W-Would you like to sit down?
“May 13th, year 4 AK. Rumors are flying now that the legislation has gone into full effect. There are tales of the Beyond, and John thinks we should go now before I begin showing. I can’t express how relieved I was to hear him say it.”
Everyone’s afraid of the Beyond.
There’s always been talk of the disowned being sent there and never coming back.
But…people chose to go there.
Has anyone ever come back?
There’s an overlook I like to go to when I want to be alone.
I discovered it when I was your age…
…with my best friend, Helena.
I’ve never known why, but one day she was ordered to leave.
Exiled.
[downtempo music plays]
I remember watching from that overlook as an enforcer marched her across a field.
She was only allowed to bring with her what she could carry, and she clutched her bag to her chest, and it…llooked like a baby.
I remember thinking, “Oh.
That’s what it looks like to hold a baby.”
And then she was at the edge of the field…and gone.
I went back to the overlook every day, watching the edge, thinking, “Maybe today she’ll come back.”
[Zinnia]
Maybe she made it out there.
If it’s real, maybe that’s a good thing.
[music continues]
[music ends]
[Mateo] You should never have been a scorekeeper.
Huh? You’re way better at basket weaving.
Well, we all have our talents.
You make walking around with a stick up your ass look easy.
Oh.
Thanks.
It isn’t.
So, w-what do you think would’ve happened if Carl followed you here instead of me?
He would have turned me in, got me disowned.
[chuckles] Oh, yeah.
Maybe. If you’re lucky.
What is this?
It’s from before.
It’s safe.
Yeah?
She came with me.
I did nothing
almost nothing
but she came to me.
I haven’t told her she’s mine.
Okay. Good.
Don’t.
She’s
She’s asking a lot of questions.
She’s gonna wonder.
Well, don’t lead her on, and she won’t, Cora.
I mean, what
what good is that gonna do?
It’s like you said.
I’m not the only one struggling.
Natasha, Yvonne, Zinnia.
These feelings are normal.
There’s nothing wrong with us.
We haven’t been told the truth.
What
What are you doing here?
What’s going on?
Everything is gonna need to be reexamined, reinterpreted.
The department is already looking back into Amma Kane’s theorems.
My research, my resources lecture, it’s going to prove the point.
This connection.
Contact will be made possible.
Contact will will be made possible.
Okay. Well, then she will have contact when it’s made possible.
But who knows how long that will take?
Zinnia…
We don’t have that time.
She’ll have the baby here, and then we leave.
I found a map to the Beyond.
I’ve seen the crossing point.
Someday
Someday, maybe we’ll be able to return.
C
That
It’s too risky.
It’s our only choice.
No, it’s not.
It’s not.
You
You don’t understand.
No. I do understand.
It’s too dangerous, Cora.
Why–Why can’t you just trust me on this?
[downtempo music plays]
I did trust you.
Look where that got us.
[music continues]
It’s beautiful.
Uh, may I?
[both laugh softly]
[music ends]
[voice breaking]
What should I do?
[downtempo music plays]
[indistinct conversations]
[music continues]
[music builds, continues]
[computer chirps]
How’d you guess the password?
Let me guess.
You bore this Mariam.
You ran tests to confirm.
It’s what I would do if I had your access.
Let me guess.
You’re Zinnia’s bearer.
And you’re faking a miscarriage.
You know my secret, and I know yours.
Can you move?
Please, Alice.
She could have contact.
Record the same cause as the other one.
Missing chromosome.
Natural cause.
Unavoidable.
The other one?
Yvonne.
[music continues]
[reader beeps, lock clicks]
[breathing heavily]
[birds chirping, cawing]
Eat.
I can’t take your food, Ms. Cora.
That’s not fair.
With a miscarriage on your record, you won’t get the extra rations.
Believe me, you’ll need them.
And I found this in the staff bin.
You’ll need to cover your bump until we leave.
I’ll be fine.
[thunder rumbling]
[dramatic music plays]
[Genevieve]
Finally, a new report from the Department of Research finds that keeping lights on too long increases health risks. In response, the Department of Electricity issued a lightsout recommendation effective immediately. Thank you, Motherland, for protecting us. As always, if you have a tip for Motherland News, we encourage you to call the number on your screen.
[downtempo music plays]
[music continues]
[indistinct conversations, pencil scratching]
[footsteps approaching]
[child shouting indistinctly]
[music ends]
Is that your Mariam?
Please don’t see that so loudly.
You got what you wanted.
Don’t ruin this for me.
I think we both want the same thing.
Are you okay?
I think we could help each other.
This is as far as it goes.
No. I think this is just the beginning.
I’m not trying to be cruel.
We’re done here.
[downtempo music plays]
[Cora]
Tangible resources.
I would like to turn now to that of the intangibles…
[Cora] …discovered evidence suggests… …ideas that have long since left our lexicon…
…newly discovered evidence suggests that we face…
[Cora] …but still appear to be essential to our wellbeing. [voices overlapping] Intergenerational connection…
These are the questions that Motherland would want These are the questions…
Intergenerational connection…
…questions that Motherland faces. These are the questions… Love.
[music continues]
I am your bearer.
I am your mother.
[music continues]
Mother?
Zinnia, I am your mother.
[music continues]
[music continues]
[music fades, ends]
[Willa]
Can I borrow your sweatshirt?
No.
I mean, I’m freezing.
Why can’t you just give it to me?
Because it’s mine, and I’m cold too.
You’re not special anymore.
Back off.
[Thomas]
As you may know, Ms. Cora collapsed on her way into class this morning.
Thankfully, Nurse Alice says it’s just a simple case of dehydration and she should be back on her feet in no time.
I will be teaching this very important lesson.
Why must the population be evenly distributed?
Because resources must be evenly distributed.
If a society becomes overpopulated, it will run out of resources.
If it’s underpopulated, it will run out of the workers needed to maintain it.
This is why each person must be accounted for.
Let me say that again.
This is why each person must be accounted for.
This is what protects our society from true poverty.
You must understand.
Before Amma Kane’s system, women were expected to do it all, and the result was gross injustice.
Some children had every resource…
…while others had none.
[indistinct conversation, children laughing] [woman] Nathan, Leo, everybody can share.
[boy]
No. I’m not sharing.
[indistinct conversation]
[downtempo music plays]
[Alice]
Hi.
[woman]
Mariam, dinnertime.
[indistinct conversations, children shouting in distance] Your word of the day, “volition,” is to continue reading page 122 to 174 or start reading page 295 to page 304.
Zinnia, you’re wanted in the head’s office.
[door closes]
[Toni] It’s difficult to be so close to greatness and fail to achieve it.
No one can blame you for medical issues out of your control.
Miscarriages happen.
You seem to be doing much better than Yvonne.
She needed the sanctuary.
I-I do not want to be a burden.
And you are not one unless you decide to be.
That is your volition.
I don’t understand.
Why would someone exercise that volition?
Why, indeed.
But this was the main argument that Amma Kane initially faced.
There were traitors who questioned her system.
There were some people who chose to reject the ideals of Motherland yet still demanded equal treatment.
How could they expect to spurn us, to burden us, yet still be treated as one of us?
[downtempo music plays]
[monitor beeping]
[music builds]
[monitor beeping rapidly]
After all, they did not have to choose differently.
I was pregnant when I was your age.
A very long time ago.
The system was still new.
I…I did not want to be a mother.
[Toni]
This was extremely problematic.
[music continues]
It just…It just wasn’t for me.
But my own mother You knew your mother?
She insisted that I give birth.
There are consequences to every decision.
[Toni]
Childbirth was difficult.
I lost a lot of blood.
I had to be rushed into surgery.
I almost died giving birth.
And for what?
For my socalled mother’s ideas?
How could I have raised that child?
Where was my freedom?
[breathing heavily]
[music continues]
[Toni]
Amma Kane’s system saved me.
Her system restored my freedom…
…from my mother’s dictates.
And saved the child, too.
It would have been unfair for her to be raised by me.
After that burden was taken from me, I-I finally felt free again.
That’s when I knew I would dedicate the rest of my life to our system.
Everyone deserves a fair and free life.
[music builds]
Freedom from all, for all.
Now and forever Now, forever.
I hope now we can be honest with each other.
Let’s talk about your future.
You would be a perfect fit for a position in the Women’s Department.
It could be very bright.
[babies crying in distance]
Have you seen Alice today?
Thomas said she had a migraine, needed the sanctuary for a bit.
I don’t know.
Ugh.
Do you hear that?
They’re gonna give me a migraine next.
[Toni]
Well, have they been fed?
That’s usually why babies cry.
Cora, where is the replacement nurse?
The replacement?
[sighs]
Never mind.
[downtempo music plays]
[crying continues]
[reader beeps]
Oh.
[reader beeps]
Access to every room.
[music builds]
Excuse me.
There’s a young woman out front who says she’s a replacement nurse.
Oh, good.
Finally.
[reader beeps, computer chirping]
[music builds, continues]
[reader beeps, lock clicks]
[ambient music playing]
[reader beeps, lock clicks]
[music stops, machinery whirring]
[rodents squeaking]
[metal squeaks]
[dramatic music plays]
[gasps]
[Cora]
Toni, Natasha is dead.
Yes.
I know.
I-I’m so sorry.
I was going to tell you today.
There was nothing they could do.
Perhaps they could have let her out of the sanctuary.
Cora, don’t be ridiculous.
The sanctuary is necessary for recovery.
And yet no one never seems to come out.
I have known you your whole life.
That’s why I’m coming to you.
You always passed the test.
So…
…I am putting this down to stress, lingering effects of your collapse earlier this week.
The truth will come out.
We are almost through this program.
And when it’s completed, that will promote me to the Women’s Department, and you will take over as head of Children’s Center 8.
But neither of us will advance if you spout crazy theories.
Take the day to rest.
Carl.
[reader beeps, lock clicks]
[footsteps approaching]
I promise you you’re gonna feel better tomorrow.
Would you please escort Cora back to her room?
[downtempo music plays]
[keys jingling]
Good night, Cora.
[door closes]
[lock clicks, reader beeps]
[Genevieve] The Motherland Centennial parade route has been confirmed, ending in Region 1 Center, where the Department of Construction will reveal its newly completed statue of Amma Kane. It’s a onceinalifetime event not to be missed, and we’ll be broadcasting it all here. As always, if you have a tip for Motherland News, we encourage you to call the number on your screen. I’m Genevieve. This has been your Motherland Nightly News for Region 8.
[telephone beeping, line rings]
[woman] Hello? Is this Genevieve?
No. But can I help you? What do you have for us? There’s a conspiracy at Children’s Center 8.
Women are disappearing.
They’re being eliminated.
Do you have evidence of this? [Cora] Yes.
I’ll messenger it to you.
[music continues]
[man]
All students and staff, please return to your rooms immediately. Security sweep in progress. All must be accounted for.
[music continues]
[indistinct talking on speaker]
It’s time.
[alarm blaring in distance]
We’ll go the back way to the greenhouse, and then we’ll disappear.
[man] All staff and students, please remain in place. Zinnia, they’re coming.
We have to go.
I’m not going.
[voices echoing, doors closing in distance] What?
I came here because I wanted you to hear it from me.
I wanted you to know it was me who told them.
What did you do?
I know you were just trying to help me, and so I wanted to give you a head start.
No. No.
We have a plan.
Motherland provides for all our needs.
And you…you have been… c-confusing me.
No. Zinnia, Motherland is eliminating us.
We have to leave.
We’ll go, and you can be with your baby, out in the open, free, free from I never wanted that burden.
Oh, but you will.
EEveryone else has done it just fine.
Even Toni.
Freedom from all, for all.
What is wrong with you?
[alarm blaring in distance]
There’s nothing wrong with me.
[downtempo music plays]
I had a baby.
No.
I had a baby.
And I was never the same after they took her from me.
I thought I was for a long time.
I thought I was okay.
But then you came to my office.
And I saw.
[voice breaking]
And everything changed.
Zinnia, I am your mother.
[music builds]
[door slams, echoes]
We have to go.
No.
[dramatic music plays]
Aah!
[reader beeps]
Okay.
We have to go.
They’re outside.
They’re coming.
Zinnia No. Go. Please go. Go.
Go. Please.
I will come back for you.
[man]
We’ve got her. Run! Go!
[gasping]
No. No.
[alarm blaring]
[music continues]
Cora!
Cora!
W-Wait!
Where are you going?
Cora, come on.
Stop.
[gasping] Where are you going?
[Toni] Cora! Cora, this struggle is pointless!
I trust you.
[Toni]
Where would you even go?
To the Beyond!
Oh, pure fiction.
Please. I need to know if she’s all right.
Oh, Cora.
She’s being taken care of.
Mateo, Carl, please, could you just give us a moment?
Please.
Thank you.
Please.
It’s okay.
Your child is out there somewhere.
It is not too late.
Do not put that on me.
I have always lived free.
Maybe you thought so.
But she is out there.
[crying] No!
Squeeze my arm. Squeeze my arm.
[Zinnia groans ]
Deep breath in.
One more. One more.
I can’t!
Just one last push.
[exhales deeply]
[Cora]
She is out there.
For all you know, it could be me.
[sighs]
Cora, please try to remember.
Amma Kane freed us.
And
And Zinnia proves it!
She passed the test.
[nurse] Push!
[grunting] I can see the head.
I can see the head.
And push!
Push.
[groaning] [nurse] Can you please Uh, blanket. Blanket.
[breathing heavily]
[baby crying]
[monitor beeping]
She’s so tiny.
Uh, Myrtle, get it together.
A baby girl.
[crying continues]
Wait. Please.
Let me see!
Seven pounds.
Okay.
Twenty inches.
Got it.
“V.”
“V” for Victoria.
[crying continues]
[Zinnia]
Wait. Wait! Wait!
Please let me
Wait.
It’s all right now.
Can I see her?
Ms. Myrtle, I need to ssee my baby.
Ms. Myrtle, please.
[Myrtle]
You’re free of your burden.
[monitor beeping]
[Cora]
She isn’t free.
And neither are you.
AAnd you’re free?
Tell me.
Tell me, Cora.
What are you free from?
The burden of Motherland.
And what does that get you?
My daughter.
I want the burden.
I want it.
Really, i-it’s okay.
Please.
Just look at me.
Take some deep breaths.
You…
You’ll start to feel better.
YYou can’t have my baby.
Ms. Myrtle, she needs me.
Please.
We’ll get to have your life again…
No.
…work placement.
I don’t care about that!
[breathing heavily]
We’ll get you your pills in one moment.
No. No.
No.
[monitor beeping]
[sobbing]
Please. Please.
We must remember what’s at stake for the children.
Motherland allows children to be raised free from us so that Just one time. Just one time.
I want to hold her.
Just one
Just one time.
[nurse]
I know.
But to allow one child that experience would be grossly unfair.
We must not be selfish.
Your daughter belongs to Motherland, and so do you.
No one belongs to Motherland.
Now and forever.
Cora!
[body thuds, wind whistling]
[downtempo music plays]
[breathing heavily, whimpering]
[music fades, ends]
[babies cooing, crying in distance]
[pills rattling]
[downtempo music plays]
[sobbing]
God.
[crying continues]
[bottle clanks]
[sobs]
[breathing heavily]
[pills rattling]
[music continues]
[static crackling]
[door opens, closes]
Hey.
Zinnia.
Zinnia.
[bottle clanks]
[pills rattling]
Hey.
[breathing heavily]
[music continues]
Come on, baby.
[music slows, ends]
[downtempo music plays]
[bird crying]
[music continues]
[Genevieve] Conspiracy at Children’s Center 8. A young woman named Zinnia who was poised to take her final pledge and enter into Motherland society was found murdered. The perpetrator a trusted counselor. Sources tell us the woman’s name is Cora. We are also told that she was the last person to be seen with two other women who were reported missing just days before this murder, one of whom was the center’s nurse. Their bodies have yet to be recovered. With us now is the woman who knew Cora best, head of Children’s Center 8 and newly promoted director of population growth at Motherland’s Women’s Department. Welcome, Toni.
[Toni]
Thank you, Genevieve. Uh, as you have so diligently reported, Motherland has been tracking a series of disappearances just in the past several months. I think it is safe to say that we… we have found the culprit.
[Genevieve]
And even more nefarious is the socalled evidence she actually mailed in to us here. Now, we’ve had experts examine the records, and they report back to us that they are forged. That she intended on framing you, one of our esteemed leaders, as the actual culprit What kind of person would do this?
[Toni]
I believe she was a dissident at the deepest level, intending to… indoctrinate the children of Motherland, which is
which is just absolutely terrifying.
[Genevieve]
The evidence indicates that Cora was manipulating this girl for months, poisoning her mind with crazy theories.
[Toni]
We found notes that indicated she had some very dangerous ideas, ideas which it appeared she intended to bring right into the classroom.
[Genevieve]
Well, she certainly intended on convincing this girl Zinnia and perhaps others to burden themselves and others by refusing to present the babies to Motherland. I… [sighs] What do you make of this, Toni? [Toni] Her intent was the complete destruction of our ideals and in the centennial year of the Revolution, no less. I-I really think now, Genevieve, more than ever, it is important that we preserve the vision of Amma Kane. Freedom from all, for all. Now and forever. Now and forever.
[downtempo music plays]
[music continues]
[reader beeps, lock clicks]
[babies cooing, crying]
[music continues]
[birds chirping, footsteps approaching]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[music fades, ends]
