Атлант расправил плечи
Their Brothers’ Keepers
Weknowourjobs,wecantakecareofitaswellasanybodycan—butnotifitbreaksdownwhenit’snotsupposedto!"Shecouldnottellwhetherthedispatcher,anelderlymanwithyearsofrailroadworkbehindhim,stillretainedhisintelligencebutchosetohideit,orwhethermonthsofsuppressingithadchokeditforgood,grantinghimthesafetyofstagnation.
"Wedon’tknowwhattodo,MissTaggart."
"Wedon’tknowwhomtocallforwhatsortofpermission."
"Therearenorulestocoveranemergencyofthiskind."
"Therearen’tevenanyrulesaboutwho’stolaydowntherulesforit!"
Shelistened,shereachedforthetelephonewithoutawordofexplanation,sheorderedtheoperatortogethertheoperatingvice-PresidentoftheAtlanticSoutherninChicago,togethimathishomeandoutofbed,ifnecessary.
"George?DagnyTaggart,"shesaid,whenthevoiceofhercompetitorcameonthewire."WillyoulendmethesignalengineerofyourChicagoterminal,CharlesMurray,fortwenty-fourhours?...
Yes...Right...Puthimaboardaplaneandgethimhereasfastasyoucan.Tellhimwe’llpaythreethousanddollars...Yes,fortheoneday...Yes,asbadasthat...Yes,I’llpayhimincash,outofmyownpocket,ifnecessary.I’llpaywhateverittakestobribehiswayaboardaplane,butgethimonthefirstplaneoutofChicago...
