The Fountainhead: Ellsworth M. Toohey: 14-15

To prepare for these chapters, please cue up the "Stump the Chumps" music from NPR's Car Talk.

The day after Katie Halsey and Peter Keating make plans to elope, Dominique Francon shows up at Keating's door. "Marry me, Peter. This is a one-time offer." And because Keating is world-class stupid, he agrees. They drive to Connecticut and get married by a judge. Then they return to Keating's place, where Dominique tells him she will return with her belongings tomorrow.

Off she goes to make boom boom on her wedding night wif her snookums Howard Roark. The next morning she tells Roark she loves him—the first time she's ever said such a thing. Then she reveals her marriage to Keating.

It takes the energy of three galaxies to suppress an explosion, but Roark does so, because he is the Übermensch. Dominique does some 'splainin': She knows they are out to destroy Roark, and eventually they will succeed. She can't stand to be there when that happens, but just to show them, she has chosen the most hellish fate she can imagine for herself—marriage to Keating. Roark: If I asked you to get the marriage annulled, and instead to become my wife and property, would you do so? Dominique: Yes. Roark: OK, then that's out. I love you. Buh-bye.

Keating's mother is dropping some eye of newt into her cauldron when Keating tells her that he has married Dominique. She squeeeeeeeeeees with delight and phones her friends with the news. The next day Dominique arrives with her things and is very polite to everyone, and Keating's mother realizes she is going to hate Dominique.

That evening Guy Francon joins the Keatings for dinner. He has a momentary insight that Dominique is in hell, but she reassures him.

Other guests drop by to congratulate the couple. After all the guests are gone, Dominique turns to Keating and in that seductive way of hers we know so well says, "Let's get it over with." She lies inert while he tries to have a grand time. Afterward he remembers about the quarryman, and he asks who her lover was. "Howard Roark." "Fine, keep it secret if you must."

The next day they receive a gift of white lilacs from Toohey. A few days later he comes by for dinner at the new couple's invitation. (Keating's mother is out with a previous engagement.) Keating: Well, don't we make a jolly threesome! While Keating answers a phone call, Toohey speaks with Dominique: I see what's going on! You've always been in love with that fellow Roark! But of course he will have nothing to do with you, so out of spite you married Keating! I know all and see all! Bwa-ha-ha! Dominique: Hmm, I overestimated you. Toohey: ???

Stoddard and Toohey choose a committee of architects to make the alterations to the Stoddard Temple: Keating, Prescott, Snyte, and a self-important novice idiot named Gus Webb. The four architects sit around and bond, becoming close friends. As part of their comradely cutting-up, "Gordon L. Prescott told a few jokes of a bathroom nature." (These are the actual words of the author. I will never be able to look at my own bad writing in the same way again.)

In September 1931 a group of carefully-chosen subnormal children move into the renovated structure. Catherine Halsey becomes an occupational therapist there.

Toohey quietly purchases the statue of Dominique and takes it away.

Roark's office has shrunk back to a single room. He takes whatever meager work he can find. He also pays Mallory's rent, because artists of genius must be supported for the benefit of art. Roark imagines that if he were thwarted from doing his art, Mallory would suffer more than a whole slew of people would suffer if they had been run down by a tank. Because great artists suffer greatly, you see.

One day Roark goes by the former Stoddard Temple to see what's been done to it. Toohey has been waiting for Roark to drift by. Toohey: Aha! I knew you'd come here eventually. I completely understand your work. What do you make of this building as it stands now? Roark: I see no purpose in discussing it. Toohey: Well, what do you think of me? Roark: I don't think of you. What else to you have to say? Toohey: Nothing.

And although the folks at the Ayn Rand Institute toy with the idea of asking for government intervention when they hear me say it, this is the end of Part 2 of The Fountainhead.