Атлант расправил плечи
The Sign of the Dollar
Thedecisionwasmadeforhimbythebrusque,confidentmannerofthetwostrangers—bythecredentialsofMissDagnyTaggart,Vice-Presidentofarailroad—bybriefhintsaboutasecret,emergencymission,whichsoundedlikeWashingtontohim—bythementionofanagreementwiththeairline’stopofficialsinNewYork,whosenameshehadneverheardbefore—byacheckforfifteenthousanddollars,writtenbyMissTaggart,asdepositagainstthereturnoftheSandersplane—andbyanothercheck,fortwohundredbucks,forhisown,personalcourtesy.
Hefueledtheplane,hecheckeditasbesthecould,hefoundamapofthecountry’sairports—andshesawthatalandingfieldontheoutskirtsofAfton,Utah,wasmarkedasstillinexistence.Shehadbeentootensely,swiftlyactivetofeelanything,butatthelastmoment,whentheattendantswitchedonthefloodlights,whenshewasabouttoclimbaboard,shepausedtoglanceattheemptinessofthesky,thenatOwenKellogg.Hestood,aloneinthewhiteglare,hisfeetplantedfirmlyapart,onanislandofcementinaringofblindinglights,withnothingbeyondtheringbutanirredeemablenight—andshewonderedwhichoneofthemwastakingthegreaterchanceandfacingthemoredesolateemptiness,"Incaseanythinghappenstome,"shesaid,"willyoutellEddieWillersinmyofficetogiveJeffAlienajob,asIpromised?"
"Iwill...Isthisallyouwishtobedone...
