Chapter 2: The Chain

The Reardens are a messed up family. Hank Rearden has worked his way from a teenager in a coal mine to the largest steel magnate in the US. Once he had established his steel empire, he decided to find a better material. The beginning of this chapter shows Hank watching as the very first batch of Rearden Metal is poured to make rails for Taggart Transcontinental. He then walks home from the mill, fiddling with a chain bracelet of Rearden Metal he made for his wife.

Hank is greeted at home by his mother, his wife Lillian, his brother Phillip, and his friend Paul Larkin. Momma and Phillip immediately chastise Hank for getting home so late. Lillian half-heartedly defends him, and then mocks Hanks gift. The entire conversation is about how Hank has never done anything correctly in the eyes of anyone in his family. Paul eventually pulls Hank to the side to explain the reason for his visit. Paul is a kind-of sidekick to Hank, and he's worried about the public perception of Rearden Steel. The press don't like him, because he makes too much money. Paul worries about a change in the air, and encourages Hank to spend more time and energy on public relations. These suggestions fall on deaf ears.

Hank decides he should ask about his family's day, and asks his brother what he's been up to. Phillip complains about his day of fundraising for a charity, and how hard it is to get rich people to donate money to save the planet. While Hank obviously doesn't care about the cause, he loves his brother and agrees to pay the full amount that Phillip was working towards. The chapter ends with an ungrateful Phillip asking for the money in cash, as his organization think Rearden Steel is the scum of the earth, and they wouldn't want any record tying them to Hank Rearden.

*** The Reardens are worthless. Hank has worked tirelessly his entire life, and he has made a fortune. Phillip has never worked a day in his life, and all he has is loathing for his brother and Rearden Steel. Momma thinks Phillip is perfect, while Hank can do no right. Lillian is obviously rich and bored and has too much time on her hands. No wonder Hank doesn't like to leave the mill.

FYI: The Rearden Steel Mills are in Pennsylvania, and Paul Larkin lives in New York City.