The Early Ayn Rand

KAY GONDA: Yes. I am very tired.

FANNY: [With brisk energy] You can have our bedroom... Oh, yes, please don't protest. We'll be very comfortable here, on the couch. We'll stay here on guard, so that no one will try to enter.

KAY GONDA: [Rising] It is very kind of you.

FANNY: [Taking the lamp] Please excuse this inconvenience. We're having a little trouble with our electricity. [Leading the way to the bedroom] This way, please. You'll be comfortable and safe.

FINK: Good night, Miss Gonda. Don't worry. We'll stand by you.

KAY GONDA: Thank you. Good night. [She exits with FANNY into the bedroom. FINK lifts the window shade. A broad band of moonlight falls across the room. He starts clearing the couch of its load of junk FANNY returns into the room, closing the door behind her]

FANNY: [In a low voice] Well, what do you think of that?

[He stretches his arms wide, shrugging] And they say miracles don't happen!

FINK: We'd better keep quiet. She may hear us... [The band of light goes out in the crack of the bedroom door] How about the packing?

FANNY: Never mind the packing now. [He fishes for sheets and blankets in the cartons, throwing their contents out again. FANNY stands aside, by the window, watching him silently. Then, in a low voice:] Chuck...

FINK: Yes?

FANNY: In a few days, I'm going on trial. Me and eleven of the kids.

FINK: [Looking at her, surprised] Yeah.

FANNY: It's no use fooling ourselves. They'll send us all up.

FINK: I know they will.

FANNY: Unless we can get money to fight it.

FINK: Yeah. But we can't. No use thinking about it. [A short silence. He continues with his work]

FANNY: [In a whisper]

Chuck... do you think she can hear us?

FINK: [Looking at the bedroom door] No.

FANNY: It's a murder that she's committed.

FINK: Yeah.

FANNY: It's a millionaire that she's killed.

FINK: Right.

FANNY: I suppose his family would like to know where she is.

FINK: [Raising his head, looking at her] What are you talking about?

FANNY: I was thinking that if his family were told where she's hiding, they'd be glad to pay a reward.

FINK: [Stepping menacingly toward her] You lousy... what are you trying to...

FANNY: [Without moving] Five thousand dollars, probably.

FINK: [Stopping] Huh?

FANNY: Five thousand dollars, probably.

FINK: You lousy bitch! Shut up before I kill you! [Silence. He starts to undress. Then:] Fanny...

FANNY: Yes?

FINK: Think they'd — hand over five thousand?

FANNY: Sure they would. People pay more than that for ordinary kidnappers.

FINK: Oh, shut up! [Silence. He continues to undress]

FANNY: It's jail for me, Chuck. Months, maybe years in jail.

FINK: Yeah...

FANNY: And for the others, too. Bud, and Pinky, and Mary, and the rest. Your friends. Your comrades. [He stops his undressing] You need them. The cause needs them. Twelve of our vanguard.

FINK: Yes...

FANNY: With five thousand, we'd get the best lawyer from New York. He'd beat the case... And we wouldn't have to move out of here. We wouldn't have to worry. You could continue your great work... [He does not answer] Think of all the poor and helpless who need you... [He does not answer]

Think of twelve human beings you're sending to jail... twelve to one, Chuck... [He does not answer] Think of your duty to millions of your brothers. Millions to one. [Silence]

FINK: Fanny...

FANNY: Yes?

FINK: How would we go about it?

FANNY: Easy. We get out while she's asleep. We run to the police station. Come back with the cops. Easy.

FINK: What if she hears?

FANNY: She won't hear. But we got to hurry. [She moves to the door. He stops her]

FINK: [In a whisper] She'll hear the door opening. [Points to the open window] This way. [They slip out through the window. The room is empty for a brief moment. Then the bedroom door opens.