Soon the truck stopped and the pigs were made to alight the storage container in which they had been placed. The strong sunlight hurt Hannah's eyes, having been sat in the dark vehicle for several hours, but when they adjusted to the light it became clear that they had indeed been taken to auction. People milled around a central fenced area, currently occupied by bovine boys and girls who were being sold to the highest bidders. Hannah and Steve stood watching before being moved into a barn where they would be prepared.
"Move over here, girl," a farmhand ordered Hannah. She stood under a large dirty hosepipe which began to spray cold water down at her with some power. Her immediate reaction was one of shock, so much so she squealed like the pig she was. Once cleaned off, she was dried vigorously with a rag and her ears with clipped, now punctuated with yellow tags. Hannah was reminded of the first time she had her ears piereced; then it was a fashion accessory. Now, she truely felt inhuman. Once finished with the preparation, she was moved out into the courtyard for auction.