Атлант расправил плечи

           Butthat’snotall.Jimisscaredthatthestockholders,theemployeesandwhoeverwedobusinesswith,willlosethelastoftheirconfidenceinTaggartTranscontinentaliftheylearnthatshe’sgone.Confidence!You’dthinkthatitwouldn’tmatternow,sincethere’snothinganyofthemcandoaboutit.Andyet,JimknowsthatwehavetopreservesomesemblanceofthegreatnessthatTaggartTranscontinentaloncestoodfor.Andheknowsthatthelastofitwentwithher...No,theydon’tknowwheresheis...Yes,Ido,butIwon’ttellthem.I’mtheonlyonewhoknows...Ohyes,they’vebeentryingtofindout.They’vetriedtopumpmeineverywaytheycouldthinkof,butit’snouse.

           Iwon’ttellanyone...Youshouldseethetrainedsealthatwenowhaveinherplace—ournewOperatingVice-President.Ohsure,wehaveone—thatis,wehaveandwehaven’t.It’slikeeverythingtheydotoday—itisanditain’t,atthesametune.HisnameisCliftonLocey—he’sfromJim’spersonalstaff—abright,progressiveyoungmanoffortysevenandafriendofJim’s.He’sonlysupposedtobepinch-hittingforher,buthesitsinherofficeandweallknowthatthat’sthenewOperatingVice-President.Hegivestheorders—thatis,heseestoitthathe’snevercaughtactuallygivinganorder.Heworksveryhardatmakingsurethatnodecisioncaneverbepinneddownonhim,sothathewon’tbeblamedforanything.Yousee,hispurposeisnottooperatearailroad,buttoholdajob.