ATDTDA (2): Summary pp. 31 - 35

[Tim Strzechowski]

In a penthouse suite at the Palmer House, Professor Vanderjuice and Ray Ipsow meet with Scarsdale Vibe and his goon, Foley Walker.  The opening "small-talk" centers around Vanderjuice's accommodations in Chicago, wherein he reveals that he is not staying at the Stockmen's Hotel but is instead staying at the Packer's Inn, "right in the middle of the Stockyards" (31).  Foley notes the "hootenanny" of the murderous sounds in that area and its effects on neighboring guests, equating the noises of the slaughterhouse to the daily bustle within the Palmer House (32).

Ray Ipsow echoes this observation, suggesting a similarity in the "activities as well," and Vibe describes the "idle money" and "huge amount of wealth" being used in industry, railroad development, stocks, etc., leading to a brief discussion of the "need" for wealth and those who "deserve" it.  Vanderjuice, sensing the conversation's touchy direction, reminds Ray that they're there to "discuss electromagnetism, not politics," whereupon Vibe dismisses the preceeding conversation as "radical talk" that doesn't scare him.  Vibe takes comfort in Second Corinthians, to which Ray makes a seemingly snide comment, leaving Vibe unsure of whether he's been insulted.

Ray leaves the suite and goes to the Pump Room, where he meets Merle Rideout and Chevrolet McAdoo.  Elegant couples abound, the string orchestra plays "Old Zip Coon," and Ray reveals to Merle and Chevrolet that Professor Vanderjuice has become more guarded lately, "like he's finally learned how much [his ideas] might be worth" (33).

Back in the suite, Vibe reveals the nature of his business with Vanderjuice:  Tesla (due to his recent transformer developments) is attempting to develop a "World System" for producing electrical power for the masses for free.  Vibe, being the robber-baron he is, sees no profit in financing such a venture and, more importantly, views it as a weapon, as a direct threat to "the essence of everything modern history is supposed to be" (33) because of its potential impact on economics and "the very nature of exchange."  Vibe commissions Vanderjuice to invent a counter-transformer that will "nullify [the Tesla device's] effects" (34).

They briefly discuss how much Vanderjuice will require for this project and, when he asks for the same amount Tesla has received for his work, Vibe agrees, leaving Professor Vanderjuice to contemplate the wisdom and ethics of his accepting this commission.

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