Атлант расправил плечи
The Moratorium on Brains
HeknewthattheBoardwouldruleagainsthim;heknewthatthekeytothedark,capriciousmysteryoftheBoard’scontradictorydecisionswasthesecretpowerofpull.WhatchancewouldhehaveagainstMr.Chalmers?Therehadbeenatimewhentheself-interestofhisemployershaddemandedthatheexercisehisutmostability.
Now,abilitywasnotwantedanylonger.Therehadbeenatimewhenhehadbeenrequiredtodohisbestandrewardedaccordingly.Now,hecouldexpectnothingbutpunishment,ifhetriedtofollowhisconscience.Therehadbeenatimewhenhehadbeenexpectedtothink.
Now,theydidnotwanthimtothink,onlytoobey.Theydidnotwanthimtohaveaconscienceanylonger.Thenwhyshouldheraisehisvoice?Forwhosesake?Hethoughtofthepassengers—thethreehundredpassengersaboardtheComet.Hethoughtofhischildren.Hehadasoninhighschoolandadaughter,nineteen,ofwhomhewasfiercely,painfullyproud,becauseshewasrecognizedasthemostbeautifulgirlintown.Heaskedhimselfwhetherhecoulddeliverhischildrentothefateofthechildrenoftheunemployed,ashehadseenthemintheblightedareas,inthesettlementsaroundclosedfactoriesandalongthetracksofdiscontinuedrailroads.Hesaw,inastonishedhorror,thatthechoicewhichhenowhadtomakewasbetweenthelivesofhischildrenandthelivesofthepassengersontheComet.Aconflictofthiskindhadneverbeenpossiblebefore.
