Changes

== The first break ==

== The first break ==

Francisco went away to the [[Patrick Henry]] University (not to be confused with the real-life [[Patrick Henry College]]) and earned a degree in [[physics]] and [[philosophy]], an unusual double major. When Francisco returned from college, he was very enthusiastic about his plans for the family [[copper]] [[mining]] combine that he would inherit, the D'Anconia Copper Company.

Francisco went away to the [[Patrick Henry]] University in [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]] (not to be confused with the real-life [[Patrick Henry College]] in northern [[Virginia]]) and earned a degree in [[physics]] and [[philosophy]], an unusual double major. When Francisco returned from college, he was very enthusiastic about his plans for the family [[copper]] [[mining]] combine that he would inherit, the D'Anconia Copper Company.

But then, Francisco's entire demeanor changed. On one night that Dagny was never to forget, Francisco talked very urgently, even tearfully, of a meeting he had had with another man whom he would not identify. He begged Dagny to give him a reason to say that this man was wrong, but would not say what the subject was, or ''how'' that other man might be right or wrong. Then, suddenly, he changed his mind again and said that he had only to look at Dagny to understand that the other man was right (again, without saying about what) and that he would have to do what he would now do.

But then, Francisco's entire demeanor changed. On one night that Dagny was never to forget, Francisco talked very urgently, even tearfully, of a meeting he had had with another man whom he would not identify. He begged Dagny to give him a reason to say that this man was wrong, but would not say what the subject was, or ''how'' that other man might be right or wrong. Then, suddenly, he changed his mind again and said that he had only to look at Dagny to understand that the other man was right (again, without saying about what) and that he would have to do what he would now do.

=== The Anti-dog-eat-dog Rule ===

=== The Anti-dog-eat-dog Rule ===

James probably thought that he could forestall the project by rendering it unnecessary, so he lobbied personally in [[Washington, DC]] for the passage of a new regulation, known as the Anti-dog-eat-dog Rule, under which a competitor would not be allowed to take "unfair" advantage of another competitor's "temporary" inability to perform. The passage of that Rule forced Taggart Transcontinental's one remaining competitor along the Rio Norte Line, the Phoenix-Durango Railroad, to cease operations within nine months. Dagny encouraged the owner of the PDRR to fight the Rule, but he would not, and even suggested that he was going to retire.

James probably thought that he could forestall the project by rendering it unnecessary, so he personally lobbied his friends in the National Association of Railroads in [[Washington, DC]] for the passage of a new industry regulation, known as the Anti-dog-eat-dog Rule, under which a competitor would not be allowed to take "unfair" advantage of another competitor who was already the first to provide service to any given region. In short, the first railroad in any region would be the guaranteed [[monopoly]], and [[rate war]]s (which in real life led to Pyrrhic victories of some railroads over others) would not be allowed.

 

The passage of that Rule forced Taggart Transcontinental's one remaining competitor along the Rio Norte Line, the Phoenix-Durango Railroad, to cease operations within nine months. Dagny encouraged the owner of the PDRR to fight the Rule, but he would not, and even suggested that he was going to retire.

Not long after that, [[Ellis Wyatt]], owner of the Wyatt Oil Company, famous for extracting oil from shale, came to see Dagny. In a very angry mood, Wyatt told Dagny that if he did not get the transportation he needed within nine months, he was quite prepared to "take all the rest of you down with me." Dagny did not bother to ask what he meant or even whether his threat was credible. Instead she assured him that he ''would'' get the transportation he needed, and on schedule.

Not long after that, [[Ellis Wyatt]], owner of the Wyatt Oil Company, famous for extracting oil from shale, came to see Dagny. In a very angry mood, Wyatt told Dagny that if he did not get the transportation he needed within nine months, he was quite prepared to "take all the rest of you down with me." Dagny did not bother to ask what he meant or even whether his threat was credible. Instead she assured him that he ''would'' get the transportation he needed, and on schedule.

== The San Sebastian Line ==

== The San Sebastian Line ==

In the meantime, Dagny had another problem to deal with: the San Sebastian Line into [[Mexico]]. James Taggart had opened that line after Francisco d'Anconia had driven a mine into the [[Sierra Madre]] range. Dagny knew full well that Mexico, which now called itself the ''People's State'' of Mexico, would soon nationalize the mine and the railroad line. In anticipation of that, she started moving as much rolling stock and as many locomotives out of Mexico as she could. She cut service to one passenger train a day (pulled by a [[wood]]-burning [[steam]] [[locomotive]], not a modern [[Diesel]]-electric locomotive) and one freight train every other day. Jim found out about these service cuts on one of his Washington political trips, and tried to order Dagny to rescind the cuts, but she refused.

In the meantime, Dagny had another problem to deal with: the San Sebastian Line into [[Mexico]]. James Taggart had opened that line after Francisco d'Anconia had driven a mine into the [[Sierra Madre]] range. Dagny knew full well that Mexico, which now called itself the ''People's State'' of Mexico, would soon [[nationalization|nationalize]] the mine and the railroad line. In anticipation of that, she started moving as much rolling stock and as many locomotives out of Mexico as she could. She cut service to one passenger train a day (pulled by a [[wood]]-burning [[steam]] [[locomotive]], not a modern [[Diesel]]-electric locomotive) and one freight train every other day. Jim found out about these service cuts on one of his Washington political trips, and tried to order Dagny to rescind the cuts, but she refused.

Not long afterward, the People's State of Mexico did indeed nationalize the mines and the line. James Taggart's response was to take personal credit for the service cuts and the withdrawal of locomotives and rolling stock, and to call for the resignations of the two officials who represented the TTRR in Mexico, this although whether they could have done anything to stop the [[nationalization]] was debatable at best.

Not long afterward, the People's State of Mexico did indeed nationalize the mines and the line. James Taggart's response was to take personal credit for the service cuts and the withdrawal of locomotives and rolling stock, and to call for the resignations of the two officials who represented the TTRR in Mexico, this although whether they could have done anything to stop the [[nationalization]] was debatable at best.

== The dinner party ==

== The dinner party ==

On one occasion, Dagny Taggart attended a dinner party at Henry Rearden's home. That occasion was memorable to her for two reasons:

Henry Rearden's wife [[Lillian Rearden|Lillian]] gave a dinner party at their home in honor of their wedding anniversary. Dagny was invited, and attended. That occasion was memorable to Dagny for two reasons:

# Several of the ladies discussed a series of loud noises coming from the [[Delaware Bay]] region, noises that had been reported as thunder. At least one lady was convinced that the noises were not thunder at all, but Naval gunfire. The [[United States Navy]] had spotted the ship commanded by the notorious buccaneer [[Ragnar Danneskjold]] in Delaware Bay and were trying to capture him, but he escaped.

# Several of the ladies discussed a series of loud noises coming from the [[Delaware Bay]] region, noises that had been reported as thunder. At least one lady was convinced that the noises were not thunder at all, but Naval gunfire. The [[United States Navy]] had spotted the ship commanded by the notorious buccaneer [[Ragnar Danneskjold]] in Delaware Bay and were trying to capture him, but he escaped.

# Lillian Rearden, Henry's wife, appeared wearing a chain-link bracelet made of Rearden Metal. Dagny overheard Lillian saying that she would gladly sell the bracelet if someone were to offer her a more valuable bracelet in exchange. Dagny, irked at Lillian for not showing more appreciation for her husband's work and invention, stepped forward and offered her own bracelet in exchange. Lillian was too shocked to refuse, and the bracelets changed hands. Henry Rearden, in a tight-lipped manner, said that Dagny's gesture was unnecessary, but Dagny felt no regret.

# Lillian appeared wearing a chain-link bracelet made of Rearden Metal. Dagny overheard Lillian saying that she would gladly sell the bracelet if someone were to offer her a more valuable bracelet in exchange. Dagny, irked at Lillian for not showing more appreciation for her husband's work and invention, stepped forward and offered her own diamond-studded bracelet. Lillian was too shocked to refuse, and the bracelets changed hands. Henry Rearden, in a tight-lipped manner, said that Dagny's gesture was unnecessary, but Dagny felt no regret.

== The Rio Norte Line, continued ==

== The Rio Norte Line, continued ==

Dagny continued to press forward on her plan to renovate the Rio Norte Line. The controversy went from bad to worse, especially when Henry Rearden convinced her that instead of shoring up a tottering steel bridge, she should knock it down entirely and build a new bridge entirely out of Rearden Metal.

Dagny continued to press forward on her plan to renovate the Rio Norte Line. The controversy went from bad to worse, especially when Henry Rearden convinced her that instead of shoring up a tottering steel bridge, she should knock it down entirely and build a new bridge entirely out of Rearden Metal.

The controversy grew from the mildly annoying to the absurd. Finally, when Dagny realized that she had lost the support of the TTRR board of directors, she announced her intention to complete the Rio Norte Line personally, by buying the right-of-way from the TTRR and setting up her own railroad firm to complete the project. She called this project the John Galt Line, after a name that she had heard repeated often as a question without apparent meaning.

The controversy grew from the mildly annoying to the absurd. Finally, the [[State Science Institute]] issued a report that effectively damned Rearden Metal with faint praise, as "unproved." Dagny traveled to Washington to speak to the Institute's director, [[Robert Stadler]], and urge him to reopen the investigation. Stadler admitted that Rearden Metal was everything that Henry Rearden said it was, but said that in "matters of state," the report should read as it was. On this occasion, Stadler told her a story that made little sense then, but would make perfect sense later on: that while he was chairman of [[physics]] at Patrick Henry University, he had had three pupils who "were the kind of reward a teacher prays for." But two of them, [[Francisco d'Anconia]] and [[Ragnar Danneskjold]], had disgraced themselves; one was now a playboy, and the other was a bandit. She asked Stadler what happened to the third student, and Stadler replied that perhaps he was a "second assistant bookkeeper somewhere."

To her pleasant surprise, she found the money easy to raise. Much of it came from Ellis Wyatt and other Colorado businessmen who looked forward to the renovation and were very much intrigued by Dagny's penchant for innovation. But Henry Rearden became the largest single investor in John Galt, Incorporated, despite Dagny's protests.

When Dagny realized that she had lost the support of the TTRR board of directors, she announced her intention to complete the Rio Norte Line personally, by buying the right-of-way from the TTRR and setting up her own railroad firm to complete the project. She called this project the John Galt Line, after a name that she had heard repeated often as a question without apparent meaning. To her pleasant surprise, she found the money easy to raise. Much of it came from Ellis Wyatt and other Colorado businessmen who looked forward to the renovation and were very much intrigued by Dagny's penchant for innovation. But Henry Rearden became the largest single investor in John Galt, Incorporated, despite Dagny's protests.

But even by organizing her own railroad, she could do nothing about another problem that kept frustrating her plans. Every time she tried to subcontract a key portion of the work she needed to have done, the subcontractor would quit doing business, and usually vanish without a trace. She also lost one of her own executives, Owen Kellogg, the same way: he said that he was quitting and refused to say where he was going. Dagny gradually came to conclude that this raft of people quitting and vanishing was not coincidental. Some unknown person was ''telling'' those people to quit and vanish. She came to call this person "The Destroyer" and swore to kill him if she ever found him.

But even by organizing her own railroad, she could do nothing about another problem that kept frustrating her plans. Every time she tried to subcontract a key portion of the work she needed to have done, the subcontractor would quit doing business, and usually vanish without a trace. She also lost one of her own executives, Owen Kellogg, the same way: he said that he was quitting and refused to say where he was going. Dagny gradually came to conclude that this raft of people quitting and vanishing was not coincidental. Some unknown person was ''telling'' those people to quit and vanish. She came to call this person "The Destroyer" and swore to kill him if she ever found him.

The day came, and the first train made the run successfully. This brought an instant change of attitude in the whole country. Whereas first people had been afraid that the rails and bridge of Rearden Metal would fail, now they couldn't get enough of Rearden Metal.

The day came, and the first train made the run successfully. This brought an instant change of attitude in the whole country. Whereas first people had been afraid that the rails and bridge of Rearden Metal would fail, now they couldn't get enough of Rearden Metal.

That night, Dagny and Henry stayed together in a hotel in Denver. And on that occasion, the two began what would be a long and passionate love affair.

That night, Dagny and Henry stayed together at Ellis Wyatt's house. And on that occasion, the two began what would be a long and passionate love affair.

== The motor investigation ==

== The motor investigation ==

The opening of the John Galt Line started a boom in Colorado. Many businesses relocated there, lured by the presence of a reliable railway line and by the very limited government that Colorado had at the time (at least, in this [[alternate history]] of America). That prompted the nation's unions and political lobbies to consider certain acts of legislation and regulation that would essentially destroy the incentives that Colorado now represented.

The opening of the John Galt Line started a boom in Colorado. Many businesses relocated there, lured by the presence of a reliable railway line and by the very limited government that Colorado had at the time (at least, in this [[alternate history]] of America). That prompted the nation's unions and political lobbies to consider certain acts of legislation and regulation that would essentially destroy the incentives that Colorado now represented.

In the middle of these events, Dagny and Henry took a driving vacation to [[Wisconsin]]. There, Dagny spotted the remains of the [[Twentieth Century Motor Company]], which once had had a branch line served by the TTRR, and suggested that they stop there. They did, and Dagny strolled through the desolate and abandoned factory. But she soon was calling excitedly to Henry to join her, after she had found the wrecked prototype of a motor that, she knew, had been able to draw static electricity from the atmosphere and convert it to useful motion.

In the middle of these events, Dagny and Henry took a driving vacation to [[Wisconsin]]. There, Dagny spotted the remains of the [[Twentieth Century Motor Company]], which once had had a branch line served by the TTRR, and suggested that they stop there. They did, and Dagny strolled through the desolate and abandoned factory. But she soon was calling excitedly to Henry to join her, after she had found the wrecked prototype of what could only be an [[John Galt#The electrostatic motor|electrostatic motor]].

Dagny sought to track down the inventor of this motor, because she knew that such a motor would revolutionize railroading (and stationary power generation, and shipbuilding, and many other industries besides). But the trail of the inventor seemed hopelessly tangled. Dagny and Henry first visited the current owner of the building, who was the [[mayor]] of the neaby town of Rome. From him they learned the name of the last banker to lend money to the last owner.

Dagny sought to track down the inventor of this motor, because she knew that such a motor would revolutionize railroading (and stationary power generation, and shipbuilding, and many other industries besides). But the trail of the inventor seemed hopelessly tangled. Dagny and Henry first visited the current owner of the building, who was the [[mayor]] of the neaby town of Rome. From him they learned the name of the last banker to lend money to the last owner.

Henry Rearden returned to his mills, and Dagny traveled to Washington. First she went to see the head of the State Science Institute, [[Robert Stadler]], after learning that the inventor of the motor might have attended the [[Patrick Henry]] University (''not'' the real-life [[Patrick Henry College]]) while he, Stadler, was Chairman of the [[Physics]] Department there. Robert Stadler could give her no clues, but told an almost self-pitying story of his time at PHU: he had had three students who had majored both in [[physics]] and [[philosophy]], and showed great promise—but one of them was [[Francisco d'Anconia]], who became a playboy, and another was [[Ragnar Danneskjold]], who became a [[pirate]]. The third, thought Stadler, was probably "a second assistant bookkeeper."

Henry Rearden returned to his mills, and Dagny traveled to Washington. There she saw the former banker, Eugene Lawson, now an official with the Bureau of Economic Planning and Natural Resources. He referred her to the last owner of the plant, one Lee Hunsacker, a man now reduced to penury and working (though not very conscientiously) as a live-in cook for an elderly couple. That man mentioned that he had taken over the plant after the original founder, Gerald "Jed" Starnes, had died, and his three children "ran it into the ground pretty fast." He also mentioned that before he had gotten a lone from Gene Lawson's bank (the failure of which had destroyed the factory town), he had applied for a lone from [[Midas Mulligan|Michael "Midas" Mulligan]], a famous [[Chicago]] banker. Mulligan had refused the loan, and Hunsacker had sued him. The trial judge had found for Mulligan, but had been reversed on appeal. The trouble was that after Hunsacker had won the judgment, the Mulligan Bank had wiped itself out in what was remembered as a "controlled run," and Midas Mulligan had disappeared.

 

She next went to see the former banker, Eugene Lawson, now an official with the Bureau of Economic Planning and Natural Resources. He referred her to the last owner of the plant, one Lee Hunsacker, a man now reduced to penury and working (though not very conscientiously) as a live-in cook for an elderly couple. He mentioned that he had taken over the plant after the original founder, Gerald "Jed" Starnes, had died, and his three children "ran it into the ground pretty fast." He also mentioned that before he had gotten a lone from Gene Lawson's bank (the failure of which had destroyed the factory town), he had applied for a lone from [[Midas Mulligan|Michael "Midas" Mulligan]], a famous [[Chicago]] banker. Mulligan had refused the loan, and Hunsacker had sued him. The trial judge had found for Mulligan, but had been reversed on appeal. The trouble was that after Hunsacker had won the judgment, the Mulligan Bank had wiped itself out in what was remembered as a "controlled run," and Midas Mulligan had disappeared.

Dagny went on to search for Gerald Starnes' children. One of them was dead, a suicide. Another was in jail, and in fact in a holding cell for men arrested for drunkenness and disorderly conduct. Their sister, Ivy Starnes, lived alone and affected a very imperious attitude concerning redistribution of wealth. But none of them knew anything about any motor.

Dagny went on to search for Gerald Starnes' children. One of them was dead, a suicide. Another was in jail, and in fact in a holding cell for men arrested for drunkenness and disorderly conduct. Their sister, Ivy Starnes, lived alone and affected a very imperious attitude concerning redistribution of wealth. But none of them knew anything about any motor.

But finally Ivy Starnes gave Dagny the name of the chief engineer at the Twentieth Century, but mentioned that he and his assistant had quit the company shortly after the Starnes heirs had taken it over. Dagny next learned that the chief engineer was dead, but his widow told Dagny that the actual inventor of the motor was the chief's young assistant, who had urged him to quit the firm and to quit working in general.

But finally Ivy Starnes gave Dagny the name of the chief engineer at the Twentieth Century William Hastings, but mentioned that Hastings and his assistant had quit the company shortly after the Starnes heirs had taken it over. Dagny next learned that Hastings was dead, but his widow told Dagny that the actual inventor of the motor was Hastings' young assistant, who had urged him to quit the firm and to quit working in general.

The last person whom Dagny spoke to, in trying to find the young engineer, was the operator of a short-order diner. To her amazement, the owner of the diner was none other than [[Hugh Akston]], who had been Chairman of [[Philosophy]] at PHU and who also remembered the "three pupils" that Robert Stadler had spoken of. He said nothing else, except to make the same statement that Francisco d'Anconia had made earlier: "contradictions do not exist."

The last person whom Dagny spoke to, in trying to find the young engineer, was the operator of a short-order diner in [[Wyoming]], recommended to her by Mrs. Hastings. To her amazement, the owner of the diner was none other than [[Hugh Akston]], who had been Chairman of [[Philosophy]] at PHU and who also remembered the "three pupils" that Robert Stadler had spoken of. He said nothing else, except to make the same statement that Francisco d'Anconia had made earlier: "contradictions do not exist."

== The destruction of Colorado ==

== The destruction of Colorado ==

Dagny's travels took her back to [[Denver]], Colorado, and to her horror she learned that all of the laws and regulations, or "directives," that James Taggart had boasted to her about, were in force. Quickly she boarded the next westbound train, hoping to see Ellis Wyatt before the story reached him. Fifteen minutes into the journey, the train stopped. Dagny got out and beheld a horrifying sight: the entire face of a mountain, the very mountain that Ellis Wyatt owned, was a sea of flame. She learned later that only one artifact remained on Ellis Wyatt's property: a sign that read,{{cquote|I am leaving it as I found it. Take over. It's yours.}}

Dagny's travels took her back to [[Denver]], Colorado, and to her horror she learned that all of the laws and regulations, or "directives," that James Taggart had boasted to her about, were in force. Quickly she boarded the next westbound train, hoping to see Ellis Wyatt before the story reached him. Fifteen minutes into the journey, the train stopped. Dagny got out and beheld a horrifying sight: the entire face of a mountain, the very mountain that Ellis Wyatt owned, was a sea of flame. This came to be known as Wyatt's Torch, after it proved impossible to extinguish. She learned later that only one artifact remained on Ellis Wyatt's property: a sign that read,{{cquote|I am leaving it as I found it. Take over. It's yours.}}

 

 

 

== The D'Anconia Copper Crash ==

== The D'Anconia Copper Crash ==

Dagny returned to [[New York City]] to continue to do her job as best she could. She and [[Henry Rearden]] continued to see one another in Dagny's apartment in the city.

Dagny and Henry attended the wedding reception for her brother Jim and a young woman named Cheryl Brooks. That reception broke up early when Francisco d'Anconia made a shocking display of desperation and revealed that his company was in an unsound financial condition, because several mines had suffered a series of accidents and were no longer productive. Jim, his friend Orren Boyle, and most of the male guests rushed from the reception in a panic, and it was very clear to Dagny that all those men had been invested in D'Anconia Copper and were about to lose a lot of money. The hypocrisy of their positions made for delicious irony, certainly, but that did not explain why Francisco would allow his company to get into such deplorable condition. She would learn the truth of the matter only later.

 

In the spring of that year, Henry Rearden and [[Ken Dannager]] were indicted for a violation of the Fair Share Statute, by which no one was to receive any more Rearden Metal (or any other product) than anyone else, without the proper clearances. Dagny was confident that Henry would fight the indictment in the special court that would try him. But Ken Dannager might decide to quit and vanish.

 

So Dagny rushed to Ken Dannager's office to see him. She found him in conference with a visitor, who left by a private entrance that Dagny never knew that Dannager's office had. Then when Dannager agreed to see Dagny, he announced that he was going to retire. He said that his visitor had told him that he had "a right to exist," and that was the most important reason why he would listen to that visitor and quit business. The last thing he told Dagny was that, someday, Dagny would join him. Dagny, of course, found that proposition incredible.

Then Dagny and Henry attended the wedding reception for her brother Jim and a young woman named Cheryl Brooks. That reception broke up early when Francisco d'Anconia made a shocking display of desperation and revealed that his company was in an unsound financial condition. Jim, his friend Orren Boyle, and most of the male guests rushed from the reception in a panic, and it was very clear to Dagny that all those men had been invested in D'Anconia Copper and were about to lose a lot of money. The hypocrisy of their positions made for delicious irony, certainly, but that did not explain why Francisco would allow his company to get into such deplorable condition. She would learn the truth of the matter only later.

Henry did appear at his trial. Instead of offering a formal defense, he rebuked the court directly and said that he did not consider what he had done to be a crime. The court fined him $5000, and then suspended the sentence.

== Directive 10-289 ==

== Directive 10-289 ==

Dagny had suspected for some time that Francisco d'Anconia's persona as an irresponsible playboy was a sham. Now Francisco admitted it. He then said that he was destroying D'Anconia Copper, and doing so deliberately. He said,{{cquote|I am not leaving it as I found it; I am leaving it as Sebastian d'Anconia found it, and then let the world try to get along without him or me.}}

Dagny had suspected for some time that Francisco d'Anconia's persona as an irresponsible playboy was a sham. Now Francisco admitted it. He then said that he was destroying D'Anconia Copper, and doing so deliberately. He said,{{cquote|I am not leaving it as I found it; I am leaving it as Sebastian d'Anconia found it, and then let the world try to get along without him or me.}}

Dagny was horrified, more for Francisco's sake than anything else. Then Francisco told her something else: that she had been acting under the orders, as it were, of the very "Destroyer" who had been encouraging people to quit and vanish for so many years. Now Francisco invited Dagny to come away with him.

Dagny was horrified, more for Francisco's sake than anything else. Then Francisco told her something else: that he had been acting under the orders, as it were, of the very "Destroyer" who had been encouraging people to quit and vanish for so many years. Now Francisco invited Dagny to come away with him.

Dagny was torn between Francisco and Henry, and perhaps one cannot infer what decision Dagny would have made, had not a breathless special [[radio]] bulletin interrupted them. That bulletin was the announcement and description of the destruction of the [[Taggart Tunnel]]. "Gross violation of safety regulations...[[coal]]-burning [[steam]] [[locomotive]]...overcome by the fumes...crashed into the rear...explosion..." The description filled Dagny with horror and revulsion. She knew that she had to go back, to untangle the mess that had been made. Francisco tried to tell her, "In the name of anything held sacred to you, don't go back!" But she went back anyway.

Dagny was torn between Francisco and Henry, and perhaps one cannot infer what decision Dagny would have made, had not a breathless special [[radio]] bulletin interrupted them. That bulletin was the announcement and description of the destruction of the [[Taggart Tunnel]]. "Gross violation of safety regulations...[[coal]]-burning [[steam]] [[locomotive]]...overcome by the fumes...crashed into the rear...explosion..." The description filled Dagny with horror and revulsion. She knew that she had to go back, to untangle the mess that had been made. Francisco tried to tell her, "In the name of anything held sacred to you, don't go back!" But she went back anyway.

== The clue ==

== The clue ==

June of that year found Dagny traveling westbound on the Taggart Comet, the TTRR's signature coast-to-coast express, in an effort to stop yet another person from quitting and vanishing, but only if she could reach him before the mysterious "Destroyer" could. On the way, she spotted the conductor as he was about to order a hobo to jump from the train. Something about this hobo convinced Dagny that he was not an ordinary bum, so she invited the man to stay and have dinner with her in her private car.

The end of May of that year found Dagny traveling westbound on the Taggart Comet, the TTRR's signature coast-to-coast express, in an effort to stop Quentin Daniels from quitting and vanishing. He had called to tell her that he was not going to do any useful work anymore. He would work on the motor, but accept no remuneration, so that he would owe no [[tax]] on it. Dagny reasoned that he was ready to quit completely, and she might dissuade him from that—but only if she could reach him before the mysterious "Destroyer" could. She was, of course, convinced that the Destroyer was on his way to visit him, as he had visited Ken Dannager.

 

On the way, Dagny spotted the conductor as he was about to order a hobo to jump from the train. Something about this hobo convinced Dagny that he was not an ordinary bum, so she invited the man to stay and have dinner with her in her private car.

The man told her that he had once been a skilled lathe operator, and had last worked that job in Colorado for the Lawrence Hammond Car Company, until Lawrence Hammond had quit and vanished. But he had held his very first job for twenty years, and had held it at the Twentieth Century Motor Company. In fact, he had worked sixteen years under Jed Starnes, and the last four under the administration of the Starnes heirs. In the course of half an hour, he told Dagny the story of what working at a factory was like where the people worked according to their abilities but were paid according to their needs. As Dagny expected, it was not pleasant. Nor was it successful, because in this manner the Starnes heirs had run the company into the ground.

This man was Jeff Allen, who had once been a skilled lathe operator, and last worked that job in Colorado for the Lawrence Hammond Car Company, until Lawrence Hammond had quit and vanished. But he had held his very first job for twenty years, and had held it at the Twentieth Century Motor Company. In fact, he had worked sixteen years under Jed Starnes, and the last four under the administration of the Starnes heirs. In the course of half an hour, he told Dagny the story of what working at a factory was like where the people worked according to their abilities but were paid according to their needs. As Dagny expected, it was not pleasant. Nor was it successful, because in this manner the Starnes heirs had run the company into the ground.

Then the man gave Dagny an electrifying clue. On the day that the new business plan was inaugurated, Gerald Starnes, Junior, had told all the employees to:{{cquote|Remember that none of you may leave this place, for you are all bound here by the moral code which we all accept.}}

Then the man gave Dagny an electrifying clue. On the day that the new business plan was inaugurated, Gerald Starnes, Junior, had told all the employees to:{{cquote|Remember that none of you may leave this place, for you are all bound here by the moral code which we all accept.}}

One young engineer had stood up to say that he did not accept this code, and furthermore that he would "put and end to this once and for all." When Gerald Starnes asked him how, he said,{{cquote|I will stop the motor of the world.}}

One young engineer had stood up to say that he did not accept this code, and furthermore that he would "put and end to this once and for all." When Gerald Starnes asked him how, he said,{{cquote|I will stop the motor of the world.}}

The name of that engineer was [[John Galt]]. And from that, the former lathe operator was convinced that he and his fellow employees had been the source of the half-cynical, half-fearful question, "Who is John Galt?" that everyone was now asking.

The name of that engineer was [[John Galt]]. And from that, Jeff Allen was convinced that he and his fellow employees had been the source of the half-cynical, half-fearful question, "Who is John Galt?" that everyone was now asking. They had started asking that since they realized that the Twentieth Century Motor Company was not the only company that was failing, and that other "prime movers" were quitting their jobs just as Galt had.

Dagny was probably convinced that at last she had a clue to the inventor of the static-electricity motor the prototype of which she had discovered.

Dagny was probably convinced that at last she had a clue, not only to the electrostatic motor, but also, and more importantly, to the Destroyer. She might have realized, though the novel does not make this clear, that if Destroyer and inventor were one and the same man, then that man somehow knew that someone was reverse-engineering his invention, and would seek to stop him from doing that, for the same reason that he had wrecked his own prototype to begin with.

== A frozen train and an air crash ==

== A frozen train and an air crash ==

That night, the train stopped unexpectedly. She realized at once that she was on a "frozen train," whose engineer, fireman, conductor, and trainmen had simply stopped and abandoned. She recruited the former lathe-operator to take over the situation as "deputy conductor and proxy-Vice-President for Operations," and then walked forward to a track telephone. After much almost fruitless discussion she managed to convince, or rather threaten, someone to get a relief crew to take the Comet on to its destination. She found this activity distasteful, because she was not used to having men work for her who would respond only to threats.

That night, the train stopped unexpectedly. She realized at once that she was on a "frozen train," whose engineer, fireman, conductor, and trainmen had simply stopped and abandoned. She recruited Jeff Allen to take over the situation as "deputy conductor and proxy-Vice-President for Operations," and then walked forward to a track telephone, accompanied by none other than Owen Kellogg, who had also been on the Comet when it stopped. At one point she saw Kellogg smoking a brand of cigarettes that she had never seen before: its filters carried the sign for the United States [[dollar]]. He would not offer her a cigarette for free, but suggested that she might buy it for five cents—payable in [[gold]].

 

Dagny concentrated on getting the Comet moving again. After much almost fruitless discussion she managed to convince, or rather threaten, someone to get a relief crew to take the Comet on to its destination. She found this activity distasteful, because she was not used to having men work for her who would respond only to threats.

That left the question of her own trip. As she walked on, she came to a small airstrip, the proprietor of which had a modern monoplane to rent to her. She took off in this aircraft to the town that had been her target. Upon arrival, she found out that another pilot had flown in shortly before her, and had taken off again—with her prospect as a passenger.

That left the question of her own trip. As she walked on, she came to a small airstrip, the proprietor of which had a modern monoplane to rent to her. She took off in this aircraft to the town that had been her target. Upon arrival, she found out that another pilot had flown in shortly before her, and had taken off again—with Quentin Daniels as a passenger.

Furious, she took off again, caught sight of the other aircraft, and gave chase. Her quarry headed into the mountains, then started to spiral down into what looked like a rocky valley. And suddenly that aircraft was no longer visible.

Furious, she took off again, caught sight of the other aircraft, and gave chase. Her quarry headed into the mountains, then started to spiral down into what looked like a rocky valley. And suddenly that aircraft was no longer visible.

== Galt's Gulch ==

== Galt's Gulch ==

Dagny spent a month in the valley and learned all about how its society ran. She had two heart-rending moments during her stay. One of them occurred after two weeks had passed, when another aircraft started to descend and circle above the valley before finally pulling up and leaving. Dagny knew, almost without looking, that Henry Rearden was the pilot of that craft, and could only imagine the pain he must feel.

Dagny spent a month in the valley and learned all about how its society ran. A few days after her arrival, Owen Kellogg came to the valley and informed her that everyone outside the valley believed her dead, including [[Henry Rearden]]. John Galt would not allow her to send any messages outside.

 

She had two heart-rending moments during her stay. One of them occurred after two weeks had passed, when another aircraft started to descend and circle above the valley before finally pulling up and leaving. Dagny knew, almost without looking, that Henry Rearden was the pilot of that craft, and could only imagine the pain he must feel.

The second occurred at the site of "D'Anconia Copper No. 1," a mine that Francisco d'Anconia had driven into one of the mountainsides that ringed the valley. Dagny told Francisco that he was wasting a great deal of time hauling his copper ore to the valley floor on [[mule]]back, and offered to build him a railroad to the valley floor. But then she said that she could not lay a mile or two of rail and abandon a transcontinental system. At this point John Galt told her that, if she decided to stay, she would hear all of the details of the eventual demise of the Taggart Transcontinental Railroad.

The second occurred at the site of "D'Anconia Copper No. 1," a mine that Francisco d'Anconia had driven into one of the mountainsides that ringed the valley. Dagny told Francisco that he was wasting a great deal of time hauling his copper ore to the valley floor on [[mule]]back, and offered to build him a railroad to the valley floor. But then she said that she could not lay a mile or two of rail and abandon a transcontinental system. At this point John Galt told her that, if she decided to stay, she would hear all of the details of the eventual demise of the Taggart Transcontinental Railroad.

Dagny returned to the Taggart Terminal and learned, first of all, that Taggart Transcontinental now operated under the so-called Railroad Unification Plan, under which all the nation's railroads would "work as a team," pool their revenues, and be paid according to the track they owned. Dagny was disgusted with the plan, primarily because it meant that Taggart Transcontinental was essentially stealing from other, more efficient railroads. The cost to the company was that the Director of Unification, one [[Cuffy Meigs]], could peremptorily order service cancellations in order to prepare special trains to haul, among other things, [[grapefruit]].

Dagny returned to the Taggart Terminal and learned, first of all, that Taggart Transcontinental now operated under the so-called Railroad Unification Plan, under which all the nation's railroads would "work as a team," pool their revenues, and be paid according to the track they owned. Dagny was disgusted with the plan, primarily because it meant that Taggart Transcontinental was essentially stealing from other, more efficient railroads. The cost to the company was that the Director of Unification, one [[Cuffy Meigs]], could peremptorily order service cancellations in order to prepare special trains to haul, among other things, [[grapefruit]].

Later in July, Dagny was asked to participate in a special [[radio]] program, hosted by the noted radio host Bertram Scudder, to extol the "noble decision" by Henry Rearden to sign away his rights to Rearden Metal. But by that time, Dagny had learned the real reason for Rearden's action: the government had learned, from Lillian Rearden through James Taggart, all about Dagny and Henry's affair. So she decided to avenge herself and Rearden by describing their affair in detail, and telling the radio listeners that Henry Rearden had been forced by blackmail to place his invention in the [[public domain]]. Scudder threw the microphone to the stage when she said that, but the damage was done.

Later in July, Dagny was asked to participate in a special [[radio]] program, hosted by the noted radio host Bertram Scudder, to assure the public that she had not been among the vanished ones, and extol the "noble decision" by Henry Rearden to sign away his rights to Rearden Metal. Actually, she was peremptorially ordered to do so by Lillian Rearden, who said that if she did not appear, then Lillian would reveal to the world that Henry and Dagny had been lovers. Dagny was not surprised, because by that time, she had learned the real reason for Rearden's action: the government had learned, from Lillian Rearden through James Taggart, all about Dagny and Henry's affair.

 

Dagny attended the program, but decided to avenge herself and Rearden by describing their affair in detail, and telling the radio listeners that Henry Rearden had been forced by blackmail to place his invention in the [[public domain]]. Scudder threw the microphone to the stage when she said that, but the damage was done.

She returned to her apartment to find Henry Rearden listening to the now-silent radio. He thanked her for her performance, and then noted that she had used the "past" (actually, the pluperfect) tense to describe their affair. This indicated to him that their romance was over. He politely asked who the new man in her life was, and she sardonically asked, "Who is John Galt?"

She returned to her apartment to find Henry Rearden listening to the now-silent radio. He thanked her for her performance, and then noted that she had used the "past" (actually, the pluperfect) tense to describe their affair. This indicated to him that their romance was over. He politely asked who the new man in her life was, and she sardonically asked, "Who is John Galt?"

== Suicide of Cheryl Taggart ==

== Suicide of Cheryl Taggart ==

In August, Cheryl Brooks Taggart paid Dagny a visit, and told Dagny how unhappy she was being married to James Taggart, a result that Dagny might have predicted. Dagny tried to persuade Cheryl not to return home, but Cheryl returned anyway. This precipitated a humiliating scene in which Cheryl realized that she was married to a spiritual "killer." She rushed out of Jim's New York townhouse and thought about returning to Dagny, but then realized that Dagny might suffer just as much as she did. In utter loathing of the world that Jim Taggart and his friends had built, Cheryl Taggart threw herself into the [[Hudson River]]. Dagny found about it from Jim and told him that she did not want him to tell her his troubles, especially since they had cost a young woman her life.

In August, Cheryl Brooks Taggart paid Dagny a visit, and told Dagny how unhappy she was being married to James Taggart, a result that Dagny might have predicted. Dagny tried to persuade Cheryl not to return home, but Cheryl returned anyway. Dagny never learned the full particulars, but apparently Cheryl had a humiliating scene with Jim, in which Cheryl somehow realized that she was married to a spiritual "killer." Cheryl Taggart walked out of the townhouse, ran to the shore of [[Manhattan]], and threw herself into the [[East River]]. Dagny found about it from Jim and told him that she did not want him to tell her his troubles, especially since they had cost a young woman her life.

== "Brother, you asked for it!" ==

== "Brother, you asked for it!" ==

On September 2, Jim Taggart asked Dagny to his office for a discussion. He spoke ramblingly and disconnectedly about the unprofitability of the railroad and the untenability of the situation. Jim then said that Dagny must "do something" to prevent almost certain disaster, and even suggested that she somehow owed him this as a favor because he was her brother.

On September 2, Jim Taggart asked Dagny to his office for a discussion. He spoke ramblingly and disconnectedly about the unprofitability of the railroad and the untenability of the situation. Jim then said that Dagny must "do something" to prevent almost certain disaster, and even suggested that she somehow owed him this as a favor because he was her brother.

In the middle of this conversation came an announcement on the [[radio]]. At first Jim asked Dagny to stay, saying that this was the announcement he had wanted her to hear. But as the announcer went on, Jim became horrified. The announcement was about the attempted [[nationalization]] of D'Anconia Copper by the People's State of [[Chile]]—and the discovery that the D'Anconia Copper Company was now totally worthless. Francisco d'Anconia had destroyed every remaining asset in the days leading up to the nationalization.

In the middle of this conversation came an announcement on the [[radio]]. At first Jim asked Dagny to stay, saying that this was the announcement he had wanted her to hear. But as the announcer went on, Jim became horrified. The announcement was about the attempted [[nationalization]] of D'Anconia Copper by the People's State of [[Argentina]]—and the discovery that the D'Anconia Copper Company was now totally worthless. Francisco d'Anconia had destroyed every remaining asset in the days leading up to the nationalization.

 

The last thing Dagny heard as she left Jim's office was Jim calling someone named "Rodrigo" and protesting about having lost a lot of money, while at the same time yelling at Orren Boyle on another telephone to "shut [his] trap." Dagny probably never learned the full particulars of those conversations, but she might have guessed that Jim had bought into the government holding company that had been set to receive the nationalized assets of D'Anconia Copper SA, and now those assets amounted to zero.

That evening, Dagny and Henry discussed that disaster over dinner. Henry remarked casually that he had met Ragnar Danneskjold. Dagny remembered Ragnar's remark about that meeting and said so. Henry then said that he had "met one of their agents," and Dagny said that he had met two of them. Henry realized that she was talking about Francisco.

That evening, Dagny and Henry discussed that disaster over dinner. Henry remarked casually that he had met Ragnar Danneskjold. Dagny remembered Ragnar's remark about that meeting and said so. Henry then said that he had "met one of their agents," and Dagny said that he had met two of them. Henry realized that she was talking about Francisco.

== The great speech ==

== The great speech ==

In November, [[Mr. Thompson]], the [[President of the United States]], announced that he would deliver a "report on the world crisis" on November 22, on every radio and [[television]] station. On that night, Jim asked her to accompany him to the New York broadcasting station (probably [[Madison Square Garden]]) where Mr. Thompson was to deliver his speech. Eddie Willers accompanied her, and she noticed several Washington men present, including, oddly enough, [[Robert Stadler]].

In November, [[Mr. Thompson]], the [[President of the United States]], announced that he would deliver a "report on the world crisis" on November 22, on every radio and [[television]] station. On that night, Jim asked her to accompany him to the New York broadcasting station (probably [[Madison Square Garden]]) where Mr. Thompson was to deliver his speech. [[Eddie Willers]] accompanied her, and she noticed several Washington men present, including, oddly enough, [[Robert Stadler]].

Dagny announced her refusal to participate, but before anyone could say anything about compelling her to participate, the broadcast engineers announced that every frequency was suddenly jammed, and that Mr. Thompson could not get on the air. Mr. Thompson started threatening to fire everyone in sight, and then everyone present heard a man's voice:{{cquote|Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Thompson will not be speaking to you tonight. His time is up. I have taken it over....}}

Dagny announced her refusal to participate, but before anyone could say anything about compelling her to participate, the broadcast engineers announced that every frequency was suddenly jammed, and that Mr. Thompson could not get on the air. Mr. Thompson started threatening to fire everyone in sight, and then everyone present heard a man's voice:{{cquote|Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Thompson will not be speaking to you tonight. His time is up. I have taken it over....}}

Now Dagny made a major mistake. Using the personnel records, she traced John Galt to his walk-up apartment in New York. John received her, embraced her, and then told her that he fully expected to be arrested, because Dagny was almost certainly being shadowed. He then told her to pretend to be cooperating with the authorities, and that at the first sign of any threat against her, he would kill himself to make the threat moot.

Now Dagny made a major mistake. Using the personnel records, she traced John Galt to his walk-up apartment in New York. John received her, embraced her, and then told her that he fully expected to be arrested, because Dagny was almost certainly being shadowed. He then told her to pretend to be cooperating with the authorities, and that at the first sign of any threat against her, he would kill himself to make the threat moot.

The last thing he did before the authorities arrived was to show Dagny the small physics laboratory that he operated in the apartment. He could run such a laboratory because, with his static-electricity motor, he could provide his own electric power and draw exactly as much current from the municipal grid as anyone would expect—no more and no less. He also revealed that he had kept the news photograph of Dagny posing next to the locomotive that had made the opening run on the old John Galt Line, now long since closed.

The last thing he did before the authorities arrived was to show Dagny the small physics laboratory that he operated in the apartment. He could run such a laboratory because, with his electrostatic motor, he could provide his own electric power and draw exactly as much current from the municipal grid as anyone would expect—no more and no less. He also revealed that he had kept the news photograph of Dagny posing next to the locomotive that had made the opening run on the old John Galt Line, now long since closed.

When the authorities did arrive, they took him into custody and then tried to force their way into the laboratory, because he had closed and locked the door. Before they could get into the room, everything within it had dissolved to ashes. John Galt, determined never to let anyone take any part of his talent by force, had rigged his laboratory with a self-destruct mechanism.

When the authorities did arrive, they took him into custody and then tried to force their way into the laboratory, because he had closed and locked the door. Before they could get into the room, everything within it had dissolved to ashes. John Galt, determined never to let anyone take any part of his talent by force, had rigged his laboratory with a self-destruct mechanism.

== The Defection ==

== The Defection ==

Dagny would not see John Galt again until much later, when Mr. Thompson announced the inauguration of the "John Galt Plan for Peace and Prosperity." Dagny suspected that John Galt would never go along with such a plan, but she still attended the broadcast where the Plan would be announced. Sure enough, when John Galt's turn came to speak, he moved rapidly enough to reveal that someone was pointing a gun at him. Then he gripped the lectern with both hands and said, "Get...out of my way." Dagny covered her mouth to stop people from seeing that she was ready to laugh out loud. No one paid her any heed, though; they were too busy smashing and sweeping down the microphones and cameras.

Dagny would not see John Galt again until much later, when Mr. Thompson announced the inauguration of the "John Galt Plan for Peace and Prosperity." Dagny suspected that John Galt would never go along with such a plan, but she still attended the broadcast where the Plan would be announced. Sure enough, when John Galt's turn came to speak, he moved rapidly enough to reveal that someone was pointing a gun at him. Then he gripped the lectern with both hands and said, "Get...out of my way." Dagny covered her mouth to stop people from seeing that she was ready to laugh out loud. No one paid her any heed, though; they were too busy smashing and sweeping down the microphones and cameras.

Dagny went straight to her apartment and packed a bag. Then she went to the Terminal to recover two pieces of jewelry that she would take with her: the bracelet of Rearden Metal that she had bought at that long-ago dinner party, and a gold five-dollar piece that was part of her wages as a cook and maid in John Galt's house in Galt's Gulch.

Dagny remained at the Wayne-Falkland long enough to overhear the Washington men talk about their next plans. Most of these men wanted to do nothing but cry. Then Floyd Ferris proposed putting John Galt to torture at a secret installation of the State Science Institute. Mr. Thompson helplessly said, "I can't help it. Do whatever you want."

 

This was enough for Dagny, who managed to walk away unnoticed. She called Francisco and gave him all the intelligence she had. Then she went straight to her apartment and packed a bag, and then went to the Terminal to recover two pieces of jewelry that she would take with her: the bracelet of Rearden Metal that she had bought at that long-ago anniversary party, and a gold five-dollar piece that was part of her wages as a cook and maid in John Galt's house in Galt's Gulch.

While she was gathering these items, an employee rushed in to report that the Taggart [[Bridge]] over the [[Mississippi River]] had been destroyed in one second, apparently by a malfunction (or so the employee half understood) at [[Project X]]. As she had when she had heard about the [[Taggart Tunnel]] disaster, she thought first about taking command and perhaps commissioning some kind of ferry service across the Mississippi. But this time she forced herself to put down the telephone that she had snatched up almost by instinct, and declared that this time, even she did not know what to do.

While she was gathering these items, an employee rushed in to report that the [[Taggart Bridge]] over the [[Mississippi River]] had been destroyed in one second, apparently by a malfunction (or so the employee half understood) at [[Project X]]. As she had when she had heard about the [[Taggart Tunnel]] disaster, she thought first about taking command and perhaps commissioning some kind of ferry service across the Mississippi. But this time she forced herself to put down the telephone that she had snatched up almost by instinct, and declared that this time, even she did not know what to do.

As soon as she was left alone, she left the Terminal for the last time. She stopped briefly at the plinth of the statue of Nathaniel Taggart that commanded the courtyard. Using a lipstick, she drew a dollar sign at the foot of the statue in a final salute. Francisco d'Anconia met her there, and she raised her right hand and swore the oath that John Galt had written thirteen years before:{{cquote|I swear, by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.}}

As soon as she was left alone, she left the Terminal for the last time. She stopped briefly at the plinth of the statue of Nathaniel Taggart that commanded the courtyard. Using a lipstick, she drew a dollar sign at the foot of the statue in a final salute. Francisco d'Anconia met her there, and she raised her right hand and swore the oath that John Galt had written thirteen years before:{{cquote|I swear, by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.}}

== Epilog ==

== Epilog ==

Almost at once, Ragnar Danneskjold laid on a commando-style raid on a secret facility of the [[State Science Institute]] where John Galt was being held. At least half the male population of Galt's Gulch participated, along with Dagny, Henry Rearden, and Francisco d'Anconia. Dagny drew the first blood in that attack, which succeeded easily because the men who guarded that facility were not only incompetent but also afraid to decide even the simplest things. They found John Galt lashed to a mattress and connected to an electroshock generator that had, happily, broken down. John assured them all that he was unharmed, and that he had known all along that his torturers would never deliver a lethal shock. Hurriedly they unbound him, allowed him to dress, and took him to Ragnar Danneskjold's aircraft, which Ragnar had landed nearby.

Almost at once, Ragnar Danneskjold laid on a commando-style raid on the [[State Science Institute]] facility where John Galt was being held. At least half the male population of Galt's Gulch participated, along with Dagny, Henry Rearden, and Francisco d'Anconia. Dagny drew the first blood in that attack, which succeeded easily because the men who guarded that facility were not only incompetent but also afraid to decide even the simplest things. They found John Galt lashed to a mattress and connected to an electroshock generator that had, happily, broken down. John assured them all that he was unharmed, and that he had known all along that his torturers would never deliver a lethal shock. Hurriedly they unbound him, allowed him to dress, and took him to Francisco d'Anconia's aircraft, which Ragnar had landed nearby.

As they overflew the Eastern seaboard, Dagny gasped as she beheld it plunged into darkness. John told her sternly not to look down, but Dagny had already seen. The lights had gone out, and were not likely to come back on until the society was totally collapsed.

As they overflew the Eastern seaboard, Dagny gasped as she beheld it plunged into darkness. John told her sternly not to look down, but Dagny had already seen. The lights had gone out, and were not likely to come back on until the society was totally collapsed.

Dagny spent the winter in the Gulch, now as John Galt's wife; presumably they were married in a civil ceremony presided over by Judge Narragansett, the original trial judge in the case of Hunsacker v. Mulligan. (He had joined the strike after being reversed on appeal in that matter.) But now Dagny built the railroad that she had said that she could build for Francisco d'Anconia's [[copper]] mine. Presumably she used rails of Rearden Metal, and ordered the first-ever electrostatic [[locomotive]]s from a company that John Galt could at last build.

Dagny spent the winter in the Gulch, now as John Galt's wife; presumably they were married in a civil ceremony presided over by [[Judge Narragansett]], the original trial judge in the case of Hunsacker v. Mulligan. (He had joined the strike after being reversed on appeal in that matter.) But now Dagny built the railroad that she had said that she could build for Francisco d'Anconia's [[copper]] mine. Presumably she used rails of Rearden Metal, and ordered the first-ever electrostatic [[locomotive]]s from a company that John Galt could at last build.

In the following spring, John took Dagny on a hike to the lip of the ring of mountains around the valley. As they surveyed the now-desolate landscape, John Galt said,{{cquote|The road is cleared. We are going back to the world.}}

In the following spring, John took Dagny on a hike to the lip of the ring of mountains around the valley. As they surveyed the now-desolate landscape, John Galt said,{{cquote|The road is cleared. We are going back to the world.}}

Dagny is the true [[hero]]ine of the novel. At first she regards John Galt, or, as she knows him, "The Destroyer," as a [[Literary type#Villain|villain]]. But by the end of the story, she has re-evaluated all her notions of where her duty lies, and realizes that she cannot do the work she loves, and keep loving it, if she is not free to exist. Of course, her success does not come without cost: she must abandon the railroad system that her ancestor built and start practically from scratch.

Dagny is the true [[hero]]ine of the novel. At first she regards John Galt, or, as she knows him, "The Destroyer," as a [[Literary type#Villain|villain]]. But by the end of the story, she has re-evaluated all her notions of where her duty lies, and realizes that she cannot do the work she loves, and keep loving it, if she is not free to exist. Of course, her success does not come without cost: she must abandon the railroad system that her ancestor built and start practically from scratch.

In addition Dagny Taggart is [[Ayn Rand]]'s idealized version of herself. To be sure, Ayn Rand never did anything remotely similar to running a railroad. Nevertheless, Dagny Taggart is the woman that Ayn Rand herself wanted to be, just as [[John Galt]] and [[Henry Rearden]] are two versions of the ideal man whom Ayn Rand always wanted to fall in love with.

In addition Dagny Taggart is [[Ayn Rand]]'s idealized version of herself. To be sure, Ayn Rand never did anything remotely similar to running a railroad. Nevertheless, Dagny Taggart is the woman that Ayn Rand herself wanted to be, just as [[John Galt]] and [[Henry Rearden]] are two versions of the ideal man whom Ayn Rand always wanted to fall in love with. Rand would later say that Dagny Taggart was herself without her tiredness or snappishness or other flaws. (Rand did not explicitly say this, but Dagny Taggart was also a trim-and-slim version of Rand.)

== Criticism ==

== Criticism ==