Waiting for them to make a Giant Robot outta the stuff. I believe in you, Ayn Rand, who believes in yourself!
Last chapter witnessed sibling squabbles and questions no one bothers to answer. And now...
Chapter 2: The Chain
We open with a train entering an industrial complex, and a rather bizarre description that would make a really cool sci-fi fantasy painting: The passengers could not grasp the complexity of what seemed to be a city stretched for miles, active without sign of human presence. They saw towers that looked like contorted skyscrapers, bridges hanging in mid-air, and sudden wounds spurting fire from out of solid walls. They saw a line of glowing cylinders moving through the night; the cylinders were red-hot metal. An office building appeared, close to the tracks. The big neon sign on its roof lighted the interiors of the coaches as they went by. It said: REARDEN STEEL.
An economic professor comments on the lack of importance of individuals in the industrial age, while a journalist makes a note that "Hank Rearden is the kind of man who sticks his name on everything he touches. You may, from this, form your own opinion about the character of Hank Rearden." Given that's what everyone else does in this book, it's not a very distinguishing trait.
We then witness the smelting of the very first order of Rearden Metal, a description worthy of the forging of The One Ring. Two hundred tons of a metal which was to be harder than steel, running liquid at a temperature of four thousand degrees, had the power to annihilate every wall of the structure and every one of the men who worked by the stream. But every inch of its course, every pound of its pressure and the content of every molecule within it, were controlled and made by a conscious intention that had worked upon it for ten years. The man watching and willing it to happen with his Spiral Power is Henry "Hank" Rearden, who Ayn Rand does not hesitate to describe as ugly. But he's tall, blond, and a genius so all is forgiven.
After exerting the effort of watching the smelting process triumphantly, Rearden leaves for the day, fingering a chain bracelet made of Rearden Metal that had taken 10 years to make. Ah, so that's why no one ordered it, that 10 year period was taken up with trying and failing to make it in the first place! But now it's a reality (all thanks to him; his team of researchers only good for saying "it can't be done") and he couldn't be happier.
He reminisces of memories at age 14 working in the iron mines of Minnesota (yay child labor!) Skipping ahead to his 30s when he owned the place, and how hard he worked even when he felt that he had nothing more to give. He recalls everyone else around him seemed to be incompetent, and other steel mills shut down while his grew. So whereas Dagny makes due with cold calculation and being an opportunist, Hank just continuously throws himself against the problem until it works out for him.
We learn that the bracelet had been made for his wife, though he seems distant from her. But hey, happy thoughts! All the way home, where there's company waiting on dinner for him; his wife, mother, brother, and out-of-town friend Paul Larkin. His wife, Lillian, seems to be amused easily yet intelligent, but also emotionally empty according to Rearden's inner monologue. Yikes.
Some conversation about Rearden being a workaholic and needing a hobby, with Rearden having trouble wording his responses. I dare say he seems rather human. I even feel sorry for him when he feels bad that no one asked how his day went. His mother is harsher than his brother though, and accuses him of not caring about the family and putting work ahead of all. This leads to the subject of a party Lillian's hosting and she slyly offers to set it up as a formal appointment for Hank so he won't miss it.
"The date I had in mind was December tenth, but would you prefer the ninth or the eleventh?"
"It makes no difference to me."
She said gently, "December tenth is our wedding anniversary, Henry."
Oh, Crap!. Fail Henry, fail.
He doesn't try to cover his mistake at least, so party date get. He also can't hold back any longer and blurts out that today they forged Rearden Metal for the first time. The response is muted at best. Undaunted, he gives the bracelet gift to Lillian, who appreciates it. His mother chimes in that it's another example of his selfishness, being a symbol of his work obsession.
Awkward. His family doesn't seem to think much of Hank, and after dinner we find out he doesn't care for them either. He doesn't care for unwarranted caring; as far as he's concerned, he never asked anything of them and they never appreciated him for his accomplishments. So, he's courteous, but they could go drop dead for all he cares.
Paul speaks on the side with Henry, telling him he should try to improve his public image. Henry doesn't see the point beyond having a good image with his clients. Apparently he has lowsy PR. Henry disregards Paul's advice because he's a lesser business man than him. Um, okay... They also talk about lobbying, which in this universe is something businesses are BAD at. lolwut?
"Trouble is, Paul," he said, thinking aloud, "that the men one has to pick for that job are such a crummy lot."
Larkin looked away. "That's life," he said.
"Damned if I see why. Can you tell me that? What's wrong with the world?"
Larkin shrugged sadly. "Why ask useless questions? How deep is the ocean? How high is the sky? Who is John Galt?"
That's right, I'm quoting every use of that damned phrase. Because Ayn Rand hates you.
Incidentally, I think those first two do have answers to them, Larkin.
Back to the family, his brother Phillip is having health problems. Apparently he works hard, and suffers from fatigue all the time, he just doesn't have a big company like Hank. Rearden tries to compliment Phillip on finding some interests, and his mother accuses him of taking pleasure in his brother's struggles. Seems Phillip is involved in various charity groups and is having a hard time raising money. Rearden doesn't care for charity, but figures if he's happy today Phillip could use some happiness too. He offers to write a check in donation to the charity.
Phillip's reaction is cold, suspecting Hank doesn't care about helping others. Without hesitation Hank agrees with him. Phillip grudgingly accepts, but asks that it be made in cash so the charity doesn't take objection to receiving funds from "the enemy." Despite being insulted, Hank agrees and proceeds to get as far from his family as possible.
Not far enough to overhear Lillian talking with Larkin, who disagrees with the decision. Lillian comments that Hank's pleasure comes from having others who depend on him. She refers to the chain bracelet he gave her. "Appropriate, isn't it? It's the chain by which he holds us all in bondage."
End of Chapter 2.
Damn, now I don't feel bad he forgot their anniversary.
So, there's bitterness you could cut with a knife. And Rearden appears to be the classic fiction trope of the anti-social louse who is successful through raw skill rather than being good with people, whereas in real life he'd be fired at the first opportunity. I give it two chapters before he decides to commit adultery. I honestly don't know when, just that it seems inevitable here.
Comments
