Атлант расправил плечи

           Thechiefengineerwasoutontheroad,supervisingthereconstructionofthemaintrackwiththeReardenMetalrailtakenfromthecorpseoftheJohnGaltLine;shehadchosenthesectionsmosturgentlyinneedofrepair.Openinghisreport,sheread—withashockofincredulousanger—thathehadstoppedworkinthemountainsectionofWinston,Colorado.Herecommendedachangeofplans:hesuggestedthattherailintendedforWinstonbeused,instead,torepairthetrackoftheirWashington-to-Miamibranch.Hegavehisreasons:aderailmenthadoccurredonthatbranchlastweek,andMr.TinkyHollowayofWashington,travelingwithapartyoffriends,hadbeendelayedforthreehours;ithadbeenreportedtothechiefengineerthatMr.Hollowayhadexpressedextremedispleasure.Although,fromapurelytechnologicalviewpoint—saidthechiefengineer’sreport—therailoftheMiamibranchwasinbetterconditionthanthatoftheWinstonsection,onehadtoremember,fromasociologicalviewpoint,thattheMiamibranchcarriedamuchmoreimportantclassofpassengertraffic;therefore,thechiefengineersuggestedthatWinstoncouldbekeptwaitingalittlelonger,andrecommendedthesacrificeofanobscuresectionofmountaintrackageforthesakeofabranchwhere"TaggartTranscontinentalcouldnotaffordtocreateanunfavorableimpression."

           Sheread,slashingfuriouspencilmarksonthemarginsofthepages,thinkingthatherfirstdutyoftheday,aheadofanyother,wastostopthisparticularpieceofinsanity.