The Early Ayn Rand

HASTINGS: Well, you see? If it's a purely commercial invention, why should the Soviets be anxious to get exclusive control of it? They would try to steal it, of course. But once Mr. Breckenridge had decided to save them the trouble and give it away, they would cheer him as their best friend. They spend billions trying to prompt giveaways of that kind. They would guard his life — at least until tomorrow noon. They wouldn't send any spies around to kill him.

SERGE: But Mr. Hastings!

HASTINGS: Yes?

SERGE: I am not a Soviet spy!

HASTINGS: Okay. I haven't said you were. [To the others] Well, here's how we stand. On one side, we have Steve, who had not one, but two possible motives. He has no alibi at all and his fingerprints are on the gun. On the other side, we have Mr. Sookin, who has a perfect alibi and no possible motive.

SERGE: But then why do you not act? What more do you want? When you have the so good case against Mr. Ingalls?

HASTINGS: That's why, Serge — because it is so good. It's too good.

SERGE: Why do you not let the jury decide that?

HASTINGS: Because I am afraid that the average jury would agree with you.

[DIXON enters from the garden. He carries on his palm a tiny object wrapped in cellophane. He hands it to HASTINGS]

DIXON: Found in the grass near the machine.

HASTINGS: {Unwraps the cellophane. Looks, sighs with disgust] Oh Lord!... A cigarette butt... I didn't think murderers went around doing that anymore. [Waves to DIXON, who exits into the garden. HASTINGS picks up the cigarette butt, examines it] A Camel... burned just to the brand... How convenient... [Puts the butt down. Says wearily:] All right, who smokes Camels around here? [INGALLS takes out his cigarette case, opens it, and extends it to HASTINGS. HASTINGS looks and nods]

INGALLS: It doesn't surprise you?

HASTINGS: No. [To the others] Does anyone else here smoke Camels? [They shake their heads]

ADRIENNE: I do.

INGALLS: You don't smoke, Adrienne.

ADRIENNE: I do — on the stage... I'm very good at staging things.

HASTINGS: I'm not too sure of that. INGALLS: [In a warning tone] Adrienne...

ADRIENNE: [To HASTINGS] Keep him out of this. Are you running this investigation or is he? You've been reviewing things a lot around here. How about my doing that for a change?

HASTINGS: Go right ahead.

ADRIENNE: Well, for instance, look at me. I had two motives. I wanted to break my contract. If you wish to know how badly I wanted it — well, I tried to kill myself a year ago. If I'd try that, wouldn't I try something else, as desperate — or worse? Today I asked Walter, for the last time, to release me. He refused. That alone would be enough, wouldn't it? But that's not all. I love Steve Ingalls. I've been in love with him for years. Oh, it's all right for me to say that — because he doesn't give a damn about me. Today — I learned that he loves Helen. [Looks at HASTINGS] Well? Am I going to finish? Or will you?

INGALLS: [To ADRIENNE] You're going to shut up.

HASTINGS: No, Steve, I'd rather let Miss Knowland finish.

ADRIENNE: All right. Wouldn't I be smart enough to kill Walter and frame Steve for it? Wouldn't I figure that even if he's not convicted, Helen will never be able to get him — because if he married her, it would be like signing a confession? How's that? Pretty good case?

HASTINGS: Very good.

INGALLS: [Stepping forward] Adrienne...

ADRIENNE: [Snaps angrily] It's your turn to shut up! [To HASTINGS] And besides, that business about the murderer interrupting the fireworks — that's nothing but your own guess. What is there to prove it? Drop that — and my alibi is as bad as Steve's. Worse. Because I went out looking for Walter. Nothing wrong with this case, is there?

HASTINGS: Yes. There is. That's why it's good.

INGALLS: Greg, I won't allow this.

HASTINGS: Come on, Steve, that's the first foolish thing I've heard you say. What's the matter with you? How can you stop me? [To ADRIENNE] Miss Knowland, have you noticed that you're the only one here who's been contradicting herself?

ADRIENNE: How?

HASTINGS: That's why I like your case. Because it's not perfect. I don't like perfect cases... How? Well, if Steve was framed, I see only two people who had a motive for framing him. Mr. Sookin and you. Mr. Sookin hates Steve. You love him — which is much more damning. Now look at Mr. Sookin. If he framed Steve, he's been acting like a fool here, laying it on too thick. Now what would he do if he weren't a fool?

SERGE: [With a new kind of dangerous, mocking note in his voice] He'd pretend to be one.