EXT. STREET OUTSIDE PAWN SHOP, DAY
Howard takes off his watch and looks at it a moment before heading into the pawn shop.
He comes back out a moment later putting the ticket into his pocket and counting the few notes he’s been handed.
He heads off.
INT. BOARD ROOM, DAY
Some businessmen are sitting around a boardroom table and Howard is standing at the head of the table beside his model for the bank.
ELLSWORTH TOOHEY, a well dressed man, enters and sits down at the back of the room.
BUSINESS MAN
Mr. Roark, the commission is yours. The Board of Directors of the Security Bank of Manhattan has chosen you as the architect for our building. My congratulations. You’ve done a beautiful job. The board was quite impressed by the project. It’s a tremendous assignment, an unusual opportunity for an architect. You’re unknown but you’ll be famous when this is erected. It’s a chance you’ve wanted for years.
HOWARD
(smiling and looking relieved)Yes.
BUSINESS MAN
It’s yours.
Howard laughs and so do the rest of the men.
BUSINESS MAN
On one minor condition.
The ease leaves Howard’s face again.
BUSINESS MAN
Oh, it’s just a small compromise and when you agree to it, we can sign the contract.
HOWARD
What is it?
BUSINESS MAN
Well, of course we wouldn’t alter your plans in any way. It’s the ingenuity of your plans that sold us on the building. But its appearance is not of any known style. The public wouldn’t like it. It’d shock people. It’s too different, too original. Originality is fine, but why go to extremes? There’s always the middle course. So we want to preserve your beautiful design but just soften it with a touch of classical dignity.
He adds the neo-classical style add-ons to the building.
BUSINESS MAN
Here. We’ve had this made to show you our general idea. It’s very simple. All you do is copy it. We want you to adapt your building like this. Now there’s a touch of the new and a touch of the old so it’s sure to please everybody. It doesn’t spoil anything, does it? And we must always compromise with the general taste. You understand that.
HOWARD
No. If you want my work, you take it as it is or not at all.
BUSINESS MAN
But why?
HOWARD
A building has integrity, just like a man. And just as seldom. It must be true to its own idea, have its own form and serve its own purpose.
DIFFERENT BUSINESS MAN
But we can’t depart from the popular forms of architecture.
HOWARD
Why not?
DIFFERENT BUSINESS MAN
Because everybody’s accepted them.
HOWARD
I haven’t.
DIFFERENT BUSINESS MAN
But why not give people your functional design wrapped in a style they are used to?
HOWARD
The point of my designs are that they do not add anything that is unnecessary. They are functional and cost effective and there is beauty in their purity of purpose. The sort of wrapping of style you describe adds to the costs and dilutes the purity of the building’s purpose. It is unnecessary and frivolous and I think that makes a building ugly.
BUSINESS MAN
But all we are asking is for you to adapt the building to the common standards of our time.
HOWARD
I set my own standards.
BUSINESS MAN
But after all, we are your clients, and it’s your job to serve us.
HOWARD
I don’t build in order to have clients. I have clients in order to build.
BUSINESS MAN
Mr. Roark, we can’t argue about this. The decision of our board was final. We want these changes. Will you accept the commission on our terms, or not?
Howard shakes his head.
BUSINESS MAN
You realize, of course, your whole future is at stake. This may be your last chance.
Howard looks at his bare wrist, briefly reconsidering, then he looks at the adjusted model.
BUSINESS MAN
Well? Yes or no, Mr. Roark?
HOWARD
No.
BUSINESS MAN
You realize what you’re doing?
HOWARD
Quite.
BUSINESS MAN
Roark, this is sheer insanity. Can’t you give in just once? After all, you have to live.
HOWARD
Not that way.
BUSINESS MAN
How else? Don’t you have to work?
HOWARD
I’d rather work as a day laborer, if necessary.
Howard leaves.
BUSINESS MAN
Well, can you beat that?
MR TOOHEY
No.
BUSINESS MAN
It was you who recommended Roark in the first place. You chose him. You said he would be good.
MR TOOHEY
Wasn’t he?
BUSINESS MAN
You suggested those changes. You said he’d accept them.
MR TOOHEY
Oh, yes, so I did. I told you, Mr. Gail Wynand wants buildings that show a classical influence.
DIFFERENT BUSINESS MAN
Then why did you pick this man?
MR TOOHEY
An experiment, gentlemen. A very interesting experiment.
BUSINESS MAN
But what are we going to do?
MR TOOHEY
Pick another architect, of course.
INT. GAIL WYNAND’S OFFICE, DAY
It is a large office with great view.
Mr Toohey is sitting in a comfortable chair while GAIL WYNAND (Raymond Massey) is leaning against the front of his large desk, leafing through a copy of his paper, not terribly interested in either Toohey or the paper.
MR TOOHEY
I’m sure you know that I seek nothing for myself, Mr. Wynand. My only motive is a selfless concern for my fellow men. The new building of the Security Bank is such an important undertaking and you hold the controlling interest, Mr. Wynand. The board of directors has attempted to pick an architect quite unsuccessfully. They will accept anyone you choose. And I felt it my duty to offer you my advice.
GAIL WYNAND
Whom do you recommend?
MR TOOHEY
The rising star of the profession Peter Keating. No other architect can equal his ability. That, Mr. Wynand, is my sincere opinion.
GAIL WYNAND
I quite believe you.
MR TOOHEY
You do?
GAIL WYNAND
Of course, but, Mr. Toohey why should I consider your opinion?
MR TOOHEY
Well, after all, I am the architectural critic of the Banner.
GAIL WYNAND
My dear Toohey, don’t confuse me with my readers.
MR TOOHEY
I... I took the liberty of bringing you some samples of Peter Keating’s best work. You may judge for yourself. If you have seen any of these buildings[]
GAIL WYNAND
I have. They were excellent 2000 years ago when they were built for the first time.
MR TOOHEY
But surely you’re not in favor of so-called modern architecture? It’s merely the work of a few unbridled individualists. Artistic value is achieved collectively by each man subordinating himself to the standards of the majority.
GAIL WYNAND
I read that in your column yesterday.
MR TOOHEY
You did? Thank you. The greatness in Peter Keating’s personality lies in the fact that there’s no personality stamped upon his buildings.
GAIL WYNAND
(laughing)Quite true. Thus he represents not himself but the multitude of all men together. And produces great big marble bromides.
MR TOOHEY
I believe I am failing to sell you Peter Keating.
GAIL WYNAND
Why, no. You’re succeeding. Your Keating is worthless so he’s probably the right choice for that building. He’s sure to be popular. You wouldn’t expect me to pick a man of merit, would you? I’ve never hired a good architect for any of the banks, hotels or other commercial structures I’ve built. I give the public what it wants, including your column, Mr. Toohey.
MR TOOHEY
Am I to understand you will choose Peter Keating?
GAIL WYNAND
I really don’t care. One of those fashionable architects is just as inept as another. I think you have a good idea, however. I think I will decide according to the advice of the Banner’s “Architectural Experts.”
MR TOOHEY
Yes, indeed, Mr. Wynand.
GAIL WYNAND
But you’re not my only expert, Mr. Toohey. You have a rival. I should consult Dominique Francon, as well.
Gail leans back and presses the intercom.
INTERCOM
Yes Sir?
GAIL WYNAND
Ask Miss Francon to come in.
MR TOOHEY
Miss Francon and I do not always agree.
GAIL WYNAND
I’m sure of it.
There is a BUZZER sound. Gail leans back to the intercom and presses the button again.
GAIL WYNAND
Yes?
INTERCOM
Mr. Wynand, I know it’s inexcusable but Miss Francon is not in the building. Shall I telephone her home and ask her to come here at once?
Gail smiles and picks up his hat.
GAIL WYNAND
No. That’s alright.
MR TOOHEY
You’re not going in person...
GAIL WYNAND
You know, Toohey? One of these days, you’ll bore me.
MR TOOHEY
I shall endeavor not to do so until the right time.
