Summary

Chapter 3: "The Top and the Bottom"

Four men sit in a bar discussing the nation's economy. The men present are Orren Boyle, Jim Taggart, Paul Larkin, and Wesley Mouch. Boyle claims that Rearden Steel has an unfair advantage because it owns iron mines. Taggart agrees to use his influence in Washington to force Rearden into giving up the mines. In return, he wants Boyle to get Dan Conway forced out of Colorado. Jim agrees to find Mouch a bureaucratic post in Washington. Their conversation shifts to Mexico, where Jim has built the San Sebastian Line. There are rumors that Mexico is going to nationalize the line, but Boyle refutes them.

Back at the office, Jim confronts Dagny about the shoddy trains in Mexico. She explains that she removed everything of value from the San Sebastian Line to protect the company if Mexico nationalizes the...