The Early Ayn Rand

[There's a little gasp — from ADRIENNE]

HELEN: [With shocked reproach] Really, Walter!

BRECKENRIDGE: But why are you all looking at me like that? Don't you understand? If Billy concentrates on how much he would like to be able to ride that horse — it will help him to get well. It will give him a concrete objective for a healthy mental attitude.

BILLY: Yes, Father. Thank you very much, Father.

FLEMING: [Screams suddenly, to BRECKENRIDGE] Goddamn you! You dirty bastard! You lousy, rotten sadist! You —

INGALLS: [Seizing him as he swings out at BRECKENRIDGE] Easy, Harvey. Take it easy.

BRECKENRIDGE: [After a pause, very gently] Harvey... [The kindness of his tone makes FLEMING cringe, almost visibly] I'm sorry, Harvey, that I should be the cause of your feeling as ashamed as you will feel later.

FLEMING: [After a pause, dully] I apologize, Walter... [He turns abruptly, walks to sideboard, pours himself a drink, swallows it, refills the glass. No one is looking at him, except BILLY]

BRECKENRIDGE: It's all right. I understand. I'm your friend, Harvey. I've always been your friend.

[Silence]

FLASH: Well, J think Mr. Fleming is drunk.

[CURTISS enters with a tray bearing filled cocktail glasses]

BRECKENRIDGE: [Brightly] I think Mr. Fleming has the right idea — for the moment. It's time we all had a drink.

[CURTISS passes the cocktails to the guests. When he comes to ADRIENNE he stands waiting politely. She is lost in thought and does not notice him]

Adrienne, my dear...

ADRIENNE: [With a little jerk of returning to reality] What? [Sees CURTISS] Oh... [Takes a glass absently]

BRECKENRIDGE: [Taking the last glass, stands solemnly facing the others] My friends! Not I, but you are to be honored today. Not what I have been, but those whom I have served. You — all of you — are the justification of my existence — for help to one's fellow men is the only justification of anyone's existence. That is why I chose you as my guests today. That is why we shall drink a toast — not to me, but — [Raising his glass] — to you, my friends! [Drinks. The others stand silently]

SERGE: I would so very much like to give the toast also, please?

BRECKENRIDGE: If you wish, Serge.

SERGE: [Fervently] To the man who has his life devoted so that the other men's lives should be better. To the man the genius of whom to the world gave the machine for the Vitamin X separating, which little babies makes so healthier. To the man who the new violet-ray diffuser gave us, so cheaper that the poor people in the slums the sunlight could have. To the man who the electric saw for the surgery invented, which so many lives has saved. To the friend of the mankind — Walter Breckenridge!

INGALLS: Sure. Walter's invented everything but a bust developer for social workers.

FLASH: I think that's in bad taste.

ADRIENNE: [Rising} And now that we've done our duty, may I go up to my room, Walter?

BRECKENRIDGE: Wait, Adrienne, do you mind? There's something I want you all to hear. [To the others] My friends, I have an announcement to make. It is important. I want you to be the first to hear it.

INGALLS: More gifts?

BRECKENRIDGE: Yes, Steve. One more gift. My greatest — and my last. [To the others] My friends! You have heard of the invention on which I have worked for the last ten years — the one Adrienne referred to so charmingly as a "gadget." There has been quite a great deal of mystery about it — unavoidably, as you shall see. It is a device to capture the energy of cosmic rays. You may have heard that cosmic rays possess a tremendous potential of energy, which scientists have struggled to harness for years and years. I was fortunate enough to find the secret of it — with Steve's able assistance, of course. I have been asked so often whether the device is completed. I have refused to answer. But I can say it now: it is completed. It is tried, tested, and proved beyond doubt. Its possibilities are tremendous. [Pauses. Continues, very simply, almost wearily:] Tremendous. And its financial promises are unlimited. [Stops]

INGALLS: Well?