The Early Ayn Rand

HASTINGS: [Rising] I've had enough of this for tonight. Let's get some sleep and some sense. I shall ask everybody not to leave this house, of course. I'll have my men remain here — in this room and in the garden. I'll be back early in the morning. I won't ask you who killed Walter Breckenridge. I'll know that when I find the answer to another question: who framed Steve Ingalls?... Good night. [Exits into the garden, calling:] Dixon! [As the others move to rise slowly or look at one another, INGALLS turns and walks to the stairs. ADRIENNE — who has looked at no one but him — makes a step to follow him. He stops on the stairs, turns to her, says calmly:]

INGALLS: I told you to wait. Sound vibrations travel very slowly, Adrienne. Not yet. [Turns and exits up the stairs, as she stands looking after him]

CURTAIN

SCENE 2

Early next morning. The room seems to be glowing. There is a clear blue sky outside and the house is flooded with sunlight.

HELEN and FLEMING are sitting at a table, deep in conversation. It is a serious conversation, but their voices are simple, light, natural.

FLEMING: Would we go by boat or by train?

HELEN: A plane would be best, don't you think? Easier for Billy and he'll enjoy it.

FLEMING: Do we have to make arrangements with Dr. Harlan in advance?

HELEN: I think so. I'll telephone him today.

FLEMING: Long-distance?

HELEN: Yes, of course. Why not?

FLEMING: Helen... is it going to be very expensive — the operation and all?

HELEN: We don't have to worry about that.

FLEMING: Yes, Helen. We do.

HELEN: [Looks at him. Then:] Of course. Forgive me. Bad habits are very hard to lose.

FLEMING: I thought -

[ARIENNE comes down the stairs. She walks as if her feet do not need to touch the ground. She wears a gay, simple summer dress. She looks like a person whose presence in a room would compete with the sunlight. But her manner is very simple; it is the manner of so profound a happiness that it cannot be anything but simple]

ADRIENNE: Good morning.

FLEMING: [Brightly] Good morning, Adrienne.

HELEN: [With a little effort] Good morning.

ADRIENNE: Mr. Hastings arrived?

FLEMING: Not yet.

ADRIENNE: [Looking through cigarette boxes] Any Camels around here? I think I'll take up smoking. Camels are wonderful things. God bless every Camel butt in the world! [Finds a cigarette and lights it]

FLEMING: Never saw you look like that, Adrienne. Slept well?

ADRIENNE: [Walking to French doors] Haven't slept at all. I don't see why people insist on sleeping. You feel so much better if you don't. And how can anybody want to lose a minute — a single minute of being alive?

FLEMING: What's the matter, Adrienne?

ADRIENNE: Nothing. [Points to the garden] It's the Fourth of July. [Exits into the garden]

HELEN: [Looks after her, then forces herself to return to the conversation] When we go to Montreal —

FLEMING: Look, Helen, here's what I thought: I'll have to take the money from you for Billy's operation. That's one time when it's proper for a man to accept help. But don't give me the money. Lend it. And charge me a fair interest on it. That, you see, would really be an act of humanity.

HELEN: Yes, Harvey. That's what we'll do.

FLEMING: [In a low voice] Thank you.

HELEN: And, of course, we'll take legal steps to make him "Billy Fleming" again... But you won't forbid me to visit him, will you?

FLEMING: [Smiles happily, shaking his head. Then, at a sudden grim thought:] Helen. There's one more thing. It's still possible that they'll decide that one of us... that...

HELEN: Yes. That one of us is the murderer.

FLEMING: Well... shall we agree that... if it's one of us... the other will take Billy to Montreal?

HELEN: Yes, Harvey. And if it's not one of us, then we'll go together.

[INGALLS enters, coming down the stairs]

INGALLS: Good morning.