Atlas Shrugged – Day 024 – pp. 234-243
She invites Hank to the press conference for good measure.
“Dagny recited the technological facts abot the John Galt Line, giving exact figures on the nature of the rail, the capacity of the bridge, the method of construction, the costs. . . . That is all,” she said
Of course the press want some sort of “message for the public.” Some “defense of themselves” in what they’re doing. A sound bite to “justify her line.”
“Aren’t you going to tell us your motive for building that Line?”
“I have told you: the profit which I expect to make.”
She goes on to outline the financials of the rail business with most roads earning a profit of 2% of capital invested. She expects to make 15% on her investment. Then notes anything in the business above 4% is usually considered usury. Still, she assures the crowd that she will do everything in her power to make as much as 20%.
A young reporter spoke up.
“You don’t mean to earn a profit for you, Miss Taggart? You mean for the small stockholders, of course?”
No. She means, as one of the LARGEST stockholders, for her.
And Hank who has no share holders plans to make even more (Dagny yields the floor to him for a little Rearden Metal fun.)
Then Dagny invites them to a spectacular opening for the John Galt Line.
“The first train will depart from the station of Taggart Transcontinental in Cheyenne Wyoming at four pm on July 22nd. It will be a freight special consisting of 80 cars. It will be driven by an 8000 hp four-unit diesel locomotive, which I’m leasing from Taggart Trans for the occasion. It will run non-stop to Wyatt Junction, CO traveling at an average speed of 100 mph. . . . grades, curves and all.”
And of course she’ll be on the train.
And now it’s July 22nd — “Training day” so to speak. And everyone has come out to see the new line. Reporters, the media, the illuminati. Throngs of people and well wishers (everyone likes a party — no mention of hot dogs being served.) Eddie Willers is there to cut the ribbon to launch the line.
I think the sentiment must be as much to witness disaster as triumph, but Rand really makes no mention of it. Plus 1/4 of the way through this epic, given her build up, I really don’t see how this run could fail…
The train leaves the station.
Rand goes on for about 5 pages of scene description and a little predictable internal monologue from Dagny. They’re flying along at 100 mph across the thin rails of blue-green metal. Passing the occasional cheering crowd.
Got it.
Until the end, when she looks up at Hank. (He’s come for the ride as well.)
“She turned deliberately and glanced back. He was looking at her he did not turn away, but held her glance,coldly and with full intention.”
Now we’re talking. . .