Becky was somewhat relieved to hear this. At least she would not end up as steak. For the time being, she found herself lead to a large trailer, together with a group of other cows and bulls. If one of them failed to move quickly enough, he or she received a shock from an electric prod. When the trailer was full, it quickly rumbled to life. It was a long drive through rural America and Becky slept a lot of the time. The cows and bulls were able to understand each other, even if it sounded like mere Moo's to humans, but she was not interested. However, after several hours, Becky overheard a conversation that caught her attention. Bulls and cows stood in separate compartments, but only a few wooden planks marked the border. So close to Becky a young heifer was talking to one of the bulls. Originally, they had introduced themselves. The cow had been a typical city kid with no idea of agriculture, while the bull was a farm boy. The reason why Becky got interested in their conversation was his explanation of what expectedd them. The bull explained: "Funny, isn't it - I grew up on a cattle ranch and now I'm to stock one." The cow replied: "Well, look at me. I never cared for cows in the owrld. I don't even like milk or cheese. And I guess that's what I will help to produce soon!" "Quite true.", the bull answered. "I can tell you what they will do. They will feed you some more, than they will impregnate you. Nothing to worry, though. They will basically shove a pipette into you, a quick squeeze and soon a calf will grow. And from then on, you'll start to produce milk and will be milked every day. That's a cow's life: milk every day and a calf or two eyery day." The cow took a moment to devour that information - as did Becky. Then she replied: "Ok, but what happens to you? Won't you be needed to breed us?" The reply came in a dark tone: "'fraid not. You only need very few high quality breeders now to collect semen. For us guys life will probably consist of a quick fattening for a year or so and then off to the slaughterhouse. Maybe they will even castrate us to make us more docile. ... But then, we ultimately share the same fate. Don't think milk cows die a natural death. Once you're worn out and don't produce enough milk any more, they'll also ship you to become hamburger patties." This shocked both the cow and Becky. For the first time, Becky really understood that she was a commodity now. She would be used and valued by economic standards. And if she was worth more at the slaughterhouse than in the sty, they would kill her. Simple as that. The cow, however, had regained her speech and asked: "Are you afraid of what will come?" The bull replied: "Of course. This is not what I wanted. But then it's the law. Some of us have to do it." These words still ringing in her ears, Becky finally fell asleep. She woke up a few hours later, when the truck came to a stop on what seemed like a large farm somewehere in a sea of corn fields. Becky could see no cows in a pasture but a lot of large barns, from which she heard typical animal sounds. Apparently, the farm did not only keep cattle but also pigs. Teh truck doors opened and unloading began. Becky was eager to see what would happen next.