After Galt’s speech, the American people show signs of discontent with the looters’ regime. Mr. Thompson wants to negotiate a deal with Galt. The looters broadcast repeated messages trying to reach Galt, but he doesn’t reply. Thompson tells Dagny that he is worried. The pro-terror faction led by Floyd Ferris doesn’t want to negotiate with Galt. That faction wants Galt dead, and Thompson isn’t sure that he can prevent the murder. Thompson isn’t even certain that Galt is still alive.
Terrified for Galt’s safety, Dagny goes to his apartment. The looters follow her. Understanding what will happen as a result of her visit, Galt tells Dagny that she must pretend he is her enemy; otherwise, the looters will torture her to force his surrender. The looters arrest Galt and try to convince him to become the economic dictator of the country, but their pleas have no effect.
The American people don’t believe that Galt will collaborate with the looters. Many don’t even believe that he is in custody. As more people begin to starve, riots, open civil war in California, and the breakdown of civil authority ensue. One of the warring California factions has seized control of the rail station in San Francisco, so Taggart Transcontinental has no cross-country service. Eddie Willers flies to the West Coast to try to restore it. The looters announce the unveiling of the “John Galt Plan” to save the country’s economy. However, when they try to televise their announcement to the country, Galt leans abruptly sideways to expose to the television cameras the gun being held to his ribs. “Get the hell out of my way,” says Galt.
