The Early Ayn Rand

"A thousand years from now, Commandant, whether the world is red as this flag or white as the snow, who will care that a certain Communist on a speck of an island gave up the very blood of his heart — for the glory of the world revolution?"

Joan's door was left open. Commandant Kareyev passed by. He hesitated. She saw him and called:

"Good morning.”

"Good morning," he answered.

"Won't you come in? We're not parting like enemies, are we?"

"Of course not."

"Maybe you'll help me to pack? Here, can you fold this blue velvet dress for me?"

She handed him the dress she had worn the night before, his favorite one. He folded it; he handed it back to her; he said brusquely:

"I'm sorry. I can't help you much. I'm busy."

He walked away. In the corridor, Comrade Fedossitch stopped him. Comrade Fedossitch bowed. Comrade Fedossitch said gently:

"The boat is waiting for Frances Volkontzeva, Comrade Commandant."

"Well?"

"Do I understand it correctly that she is going away free, that she is not to be arrested for her counterrevolutionary, treacherous plan?"

"She is going away free."

"I should think our duty is to send her to the GPU in Nijni Kolimsk. I should think hers is a serious offense against the State, punishable by..."

"Someday, Comrade Fedossitch, you may be Commandant of this island. Someday. Not yet."

Commandant Kareyev saw Joan again in the library. She was saying goodbye to the convicts. She was leaving the radio to them to remember her by, she said. She noticed him at the door, but did not turn.

A strange thing happened. The pale, bearded Senator, who had never looked at her, got up. He walked straight to her, took her hand, and raised it to his lips in the most courtly manner.

"I want to tell you, Citizen Volkontzeva," he said in his hoarse, dead voice, "that you are a great woman."

"Thank you, Senator," she answered. "Only, when I go away, I shall not be Citizen Volkontzeva any more. I'm going as Joan Harding."

Commandant Kareyev hurried away. Outside, on the wharf, the pockmarked, one-eyed captain was leaning on the rail of the boat, smoking his pipe. He looked at the sky and called:

"Almost noon, Comrade Commandant. The woman ready?"

"Not yet," Kareyev answered.

Soundlessly, as a shadow, Comrade Fedossitch suddenly stood at his elbow. Comrade Fedossitch saluted and said sweetly:

"Of course, Comrade Commandant, there's no question of our loyalty to you. All this will never be known. But I was just thinking that if one of us Party members here decided to go and tell the GPU about the aristocrat who got away..."

"The emergency motorboat is at the service of the first one who wants to go," said Kareyev. "Ask me for the key when you need it."

A guard came running down the hill, saluting, reporting breathlessly:

"Citizen Volkontzeva wants to see you, Comrade Commandant!"

Kareyev ran up to the monastery, through the snow, leaping two steps at once. The guard looked after him, surprised. Comrade Fedossitch nodded slowly.

Joan's trunk was closed.

"I think it's time," she said calmly when Kareyev entered. "Will you have the men take my trunk down?"

"You'll have to wait a little," he answered desperately. "The boat isn't ready."

Then he went to his room and slammed the door. She listened at the wall of her cell, but could not hear a sound.

Then she heard his steps again. She opened her door.

He fell at her feet, as if all strength had gone out of his body and spirit.

"You won't go alone... you won't go alone..." was all he could whisper.

She stroked his head, smiling, kissing his hair. She whispered:

"Dear... we'll be so happy... so happy..."

He buried his face in the folds of her dress. He did not speak. His hands clasped her legs, holding her, in a desperate panic of fear that she would vanish from his fingers, disappear forever. She whispered:

"It will be easy... Tonight. We'll take the motorboat. The three of us."

"You won't leave me... you'll never leave me."

"No, dear, never... Tell the captain to go."

"And they'll play the 'Song of Dancing Lights'... just for the two of us..."

"Get the motorboat ready."

"I'll buy you little satin slippers. Lined with soft pink feathers. I'll slip them myself on your bare feet..."

"Destroy the wireless, so they can't give an alarm."

The wind had chased the clouds. A red, shivering line panted soundlessly over the sea where the sun had drowned. Red stains died slowly in the snow of the cupolas.

The convicts had finished their supper. Commandant Kareyev could hear the clinking of dishes in the kitchen. But there was no sound of voices. He knew what they were all thinking. When he walked through the corridors, he saw all eyes turn away from him with a forced indifference; and he felt these eyes staring at him behind his back.

Passing by the guard room, he heard Comrade Fedossitch. Comrade Fedossitch was speaking to his friend, the head of the guards. He noticed Kareyev and did not lower his voice.