Changes

A few years after his graduation (probably [[Atlas Shrugged#Time setting|1945]]), he received what he could only describe as a summons from [[John Galt]] to meet him at an address that he least expected John Galt to have: a garret apartment in a run-down brownstone in [[New York City]]. He answered the summons. He was shocked to see John Galt living in a place like this, and that [[Ragnar Danneskjold]] joined them.

A few years after his graduation (probably [[Atlas Shrugged#Time setting|1945]]), he received what he could only describe as a summons from [[John Galt]] to meet him at an address that he least expected John Galt to have: a garret apartment in a run-down brownstone in [[New York City]]. He answered the summons. He was shocked to see John Galt living in a place like this, and that [[Ragnar Danneskjold]] joined them.

John Galt was not interested in something as mundane as a "college reunion." He told them a very disheartening and bracing story of his experiences at the Twentieth Century Motor Company in [[Wisconsin]], where he had gone to work as an engineer. His story was this: after he completed the prototype of a motor that could run on static electricity from the atmosphere, the owner of the factory, Gerald "Jed" Starnes, died. Gerald Starnes' heirs then proposed a plan that Galt knew he could never accept. Under that plan, all the workers would work according to their abilities, and be paid according to their needs. John Galt immediately announced his refusal to work under such a plan and his intention, as he put it, to "stop the motor of the world."

John Galt was not interested in something as mundane as a "college reunion." He told them a very disheartening and bracing story of his experiences at the [[Twentieth Century Motor Company]] in [[Wisconsin]], where he had gone to work as an engineer. His story was this: after he completed the prototype of a motor that could run on static electricity from the atmosphere, the owner of the factory, Gerald "Jed" Starnes, died. Gerald Starnes' heirs then proposed a plan that Galt knew he could never accept. Under that plan, all the workers would work according to their abilities, and be paid according to their needs. John Galt immediately announced his refusal to work under such a plan and his intention, as he put it, to "stop the motor of the world."

He then shared with them his proposal: to call a [[strike]] of the men of the mind, and note how quickly human society would collapse without their contributions. He then asked Francisco and Ragnar to join him in this strike. During his talk, he gestured out the window. "When you see these lights go out," he said, "then you will know that our job is done."

He then shared with them his proposal: to call a [[strike]] of the men of the mind, and note how quickly human society would collapse without their contributions. He then asked Francisco and Ragnar to join him in this strike. During his talk, he gestured out the window. "When you see these lights go out," he said, "then you will know that our job is done."