The Early Ayn Rand

BRECKENRIDGE: Well... My friends, a man controlling such an invention and keeping its secret could be rich. Rich But I am not going to keep it. [Pauses, looks at them, then says slowly:] Tomorrow, at twelve o'clock noon, I shall give this invention to mankind.

Give, not sell it. For all and any to use. Without charge. To all mankind. [TONY emits a long whistle. FLASH stands with his mouth hanging open, and utters only one awed: "Gee!"] Think what that will do. Free power — drawn out of space. It will light the poorest slum and the shack of the sharecropper. It will throw the greedy utility companies out of business. It will be mankind's greatest blessing. And no one will hold private control over it.

ADRIENNE: Beautiful showmanship, Walter. You've always been a master of the theater.

TONY: But I suppose it is sort of grand —

ADRIENNE: — opera.

HELEN: What exactly is to happen tomorrow at noon, Walter?

BRECKENRIDGE: I have invited the press to be at the laboratory tomorrow at noon. I shall give them the blueprints — the formulas — everything — to spread in every tabloid.

ADRIENNE: Don't forget the Sunday magazine sections. BRECKENRIDGE: Adrienne, my dear, surely you don't disapprove?

ADRIENNE: What's it to me?

SERGE: Ah, but it is so beautiful! It is an example for the whole world to follow. To me Mr. Breckenridge has spoken about this gift many weeks ago and I said: "Mr. Breckenridge, if you do this, I will be proud a human being to be!"

BRECKENRIDGE: [Turning to INGALLS] Steve?

INGALLS: What?

BRECKENRIDGE: What do you say?

INGALLS: I? Nothing.

BRECKENRIDGE: Of course, Steve doesn't quite approve. Steve is rather... old-fashioned. He would have preferred to keep the whole thing secret in our own hands, and to make a tremendous fortune. Wouldn't you, Steve?

INGALLS: [Lazily] Oh, yes. I like to make money. I think money is a wonderful thing. I don't see what's wrong with making a fortune — if you deserve it and people are willing to pay for what you offer them. Besides, I've never liked things that are given away. When you get something for nothing — you always find a string attached somewhere. Like the fish when it swallows the worm. But then, I've never had any noble feelings.

SERGE: Mr. Ingalls, that is contemptible!

INGALLS: Cut it, Serge. You bore me.

BRECKENRIDGE: But, Steve, I want you to understand why —

INGALLS: Don't waste your time, Walter. I've never understood the noble, the selfless, or any of those things. Besides, it's not my fortune you're giving away. It's yours. I'm only a junior partner. All I lose is two bits to your dollar. So I'm not going to argue about it.

BRECKENRIDGE: I'm glad, Steve. I made this decision after a great deal of time and meditation.

INGALLS: You did? [Rises] You know, Walter, I think decisions are made quickly. And the more important the step — the quicker. [Walks to stairs]

SERGE: [With a little touch of triumph] I begged Mr. Breckenridge to do this.

INGALLS: [Stops on the stairs on his way up, looks at him. Then:] I know you did. [Exits up the stairs]

HELEN: [Rising] It seems so foolish to ask this — when I'm hostess — but what time is dinner ordered for, Walter?

BRECKENRIDGE: Seven o'clock.

HELEN: Would you mind if I took a look at what my house is like?

BRECKENRIDGE: But of course! How thoughtless of me! Holding you here — when you must be dying of curiosity.

HELEN: [To the others] Shall we make an inspection tour together? The hostess needs someone to guide her.

TONY: I'll show you. I've been all through the house. The laundry in the basement is wonderful.

HELEN: Shall we start with Billy’s room?

BILLY: Yes, please, Mother. I want to go back to my room.

[As FLEMING and FLASH are wheeling BILLY out, Right, BRECKENRIDGE is about to follow]

ADRIENNE: Walter. I'd like to speak to you. [BRECKENRIDGE stops, frowning] For just a few minutes. BRECKENRIDGE: Yes, of course, my dear.

[HELEN and TONY exit after BILLY, FLEMING, and FLASH. SERGE remains]

ADRIENNE: Serge, when you hear someone say to someone else: "I'd like to speak to you" — it usually means "alone."

SERGE: Ah, but of course! I am so sorry, Miss Knowland! [Bows and exits Right]

BRECKENRIDGE: [Sitting down and indicating a chair] Yes, my dear?

ADRIENNE: [She remains standing, looking at him. After a moment, she says in a flat, hard, expressionless voice:] Walter, I want you to release me from my contract.

BRECKENRIDGE: [Leans back. Then:] You're not serious, my dear.