The Fountainhead: Howard Roark: 7, 8

Keating & Dumont is in crisis; the firm is no longer in favor. The exposition was a flop. The A.G.A. has been supplanted by the Council of American Builders. Keating's mother has moved back in with him, at his request. He has aged.

One thing gives Keating peace (though not happiness). From time to time he goes to a private place, a shack in the hills, and paints, albeit amateurishly. This was the hobby he loved, the hobby he gave up for architecture.

Keating's partner, Neil Dumont, urges him to try to get the commission for Cortlandt Homes, a low-income housing project. Keating's old advocate Ellsworth Toohey may be in a position to influence the award.

Keating goes to Toohey to ask for help. Toohey explains that things change. The only way Keating & Dumont can get Toohey's backing is by submitting the best proposal. —Don't you know that individuals don't count, Peter?

The only hope is to once again ask for Howard Roark's help.

Roark's composure slips momentarily when he sees Keating, who is thirty-nine (Roark is thirty-seven) but looks much, much older. Keating: I have to face it—I'm a parasite, and I've always been one. I've always relied on your ideas, or other people's. I can't design Cortlandt Homes on my own. Is there any way you could design the project, which would then have my name put on it? Roark: I'll think about it. Let's talk tomorrow.

The next day, at Roark's home—

Roark: I'll do it, but only if I'm sure you understand my motivation. This isn't a favor for you; I am an egotist, not an altruist.

(after much talk)

Keating: You don't want the money, you don't want the glory, you aren't in it to provide for the poor. You want to do this because you love solving the problem of providing housing at low cost. You want to do this because you love the work. (And if you bid on the project directly, Toohey would block you.)

Roark: YES!!!!!! You understand!!!!! Let's have a drink. The usual conditions apply—no interfering with my design. You will be hard-pressed by bureaucrats to alter the plans, but you must stand firm.

Keating: You have my word.

Roark: Then sign this contract. If you deviate from my design, I'll make the contract public and ruin your reputation. But if the project is built according to my specifications, I'll give you my copy of the contract, and you can destroy it.

Keating (after signing): Now ... could you have a look at these?

He shows Roark his recent paintings. Roark looks at them for a while, then says quietly, "It's too late, Peter." Keating leaves, and Roark experiences something horrible he has never felt before: pity. What a monstrous sensation, he thinks.