Part 28

Part 28 Reading Time: 3 minutes

EXT. SITE OF CORTLANDT DEVELOPMENT - DAY

A large crowd are on the site and there are some official looking types. Peter and Ann are with the official looking types. There is also a priest who is consecrating the ground. Bill, Rosie and Edee are there. Edee is dressed to perform and there are some musicians there.

Photographers are taking pictures of everything.

The band strike up and Edee starts singing WHEN YOU’RE SMILING, getting the crowd to join in.

EXT. GARDEN OF THE WYNAND’S NEW HOUSE

Gail, Howard and Dominique are sitting around a tree in their huge garden.

Gail is reading the paper who’s front page is devoted to the Cortlandt Homes project. The headline reads CORTLANDT TO HOUSE HUNDREDS OF CITY’S POOREST.

GAIL WYNAND

“After two years of futile attempts to solve the problems involved the design submitted by Peter Keating is an astonishingly skillful solution that provides the best living quarters yet devised at the lowest cost.” - What on earth are you up to?

HOWARD

What do you mean?

GAIL WYNAND

Do you think I pick artworks by their signatures? Who designed that project?

HOWARD

Peter Keating.

Gail shows the paper to Dominique.

GAIL WYNAND

Who designed this?

DOMINIQUE

Of course.

HOWARD

Drop it.

GAIL WYNAND

All right. I won’t try to guess your motive but I’d know your work anywhere. Howard, I never expected to feel gratitude to anyone but I’m grateful to you every moment of the day in the house you built. I’m learning so many things I never expected to feel.

DOMINIQUE

What?

GAIL WYNAND

The wonder of ownership. I’m a millionaire who’s never owned anything. I’ve been public property like a city billboard. But this is mine. Here I’m safe. Why didn’t you come here yesterday? I missed you.

HOWARD

Too much work in the office.

GAIL WYNAND

You’re killing yourself. You’ve worked too hard for years.

HOWARD

Haven’t you?

GAIL WYNAND

Yes. We need a rest, both of us. My yacht’s been refitted. I’m planning a long cruise. I’ve meant to for years. Go with me.

DOMINIQUE

Gail, is this an obsession? What is Mr. Roark to you?

GAIL WYNAND

My youth.

DOMINIQUE

Is he what you were in your youth?

GAIL WYNAND

Oh, no, much more than that. What I thought I’d be when I was 16.

DOMINIQUE

I’m sure Mr. Roark can’t go on a yacht cruise.

HOWARD

Why, yes, Mrs. Wynand, I’d be glad to go.

DOMINIQUE

I thought, that you’d never give up your work for anyone.

HOWARD

I won’t give it up. I’ll take my first vacation.

DOMINIQUE

You’re willing to be away for months?

HOWARD

I’d enjoy it.

GAIL WYNAND

It’s incredible. I believe you’re jealous. Wonderful! I’m even more grateful to you if he’s made you jealous of me. Now, don’t frown. I’ll fix a drink. We’ll toast the cruise.

Gail leaves.

DOMINIQUE

Roark. Roark, don’t go with him. I can’t stand this much longer. I am jealous of you and of every moment you give him, of your impossible friendship. I don’t want you to come here or like him.