Атлант расправил плечи
The Immovable Movers
Sherushedoutoftheoffice.
"Dan,youhavetofightthem.I’llhelpyou.I’llfightforyouwitheverythingI’vegot."
DanConwayshookhishead.
Hesatathisdesk,theemptyexpanseofafadedblotterbeforehim,onefeeblelamplightedinacorneroftheroom.DagnyhadrushedstraighttothecityofficeofthePhoenix-Durango.Conwaywasthere,andhestillsatasshehadfoundhim.Hehadsmiledatherentranceandsaid,"Funny,Ithoughtyouwouldcome,"hisvoicegentle,lifeless.Theydidnotknoweachotherwell,buttheyhadmetafewtimesinColorado.
"No,"hesaid,"it’snouse."
"DoyoumeanbecauseofthatAllianceagreementthatyousigned?Itwon’thold.Thisisplainexpropriation.Nocourtwillupholdit.AndifJimtriestohidebehindtheusuallooters’sloganof‘publicwelfare,’I’llgoonthestandandswearthatTaggartTranscontinentalcan’thandlethewholetrafficofColorado.Andifanycourtrulesagainstyou,youcanappealandkeeponappealingforthenexttenyears."
"Yes,"hesaid,"Icould...I’mnotsureI’dwin,butIcouldtryandIcouldhangontotherailroadforafewyearslonger,but...No,it’snotthelegalpointsthatI’mthinkingabout,onewayortheother.It’snotthat."
"What,then?"
"Idon’twanttofightit,Dagny."
Shelookedathimincredulously.Itwastheonesentencewhich,shefeltsure,hehadneverutteredbefore;amancouldnotreversehimselfsolateinlife.
DanConwaywasapproachingfifty.
