Атлант расправил плечи
The Egoist
Thewadsofworthlesspapermoneyweregrowingheavierinthepocketsofthenation,buttherewaslessandlessforthatmoneytobuy.InSeptember,abushelofwheathadcostelevendollars;ithadcostthirtydollarsinNovember;ithadcostonehundredinDecember;itwasnowapproachingthepriceoftwohundred—whiletheprintingpressesofthegovernmenttreasurywererunningaracewithstarvation,andlosing.
Whentheworkersofafactorybeatuptheirforemanandwreckedthemachineryinafitofdespair—noactioncouldbetakenagainstthem.Arrestswerefutile,thejailswerefull,thearrestingofficerswinkedattheirprisonersandletthemescapeontheirwaytoprison—menweregoingthroughthemotionsprescribedforthemoment,withnothoughtofthemomenttofollow.Noactioncouldbetakenwhenmobsofstarvingpeopleattackedwarehousesontheoutskirtsofcities.
Noactioncouldbetakenwhenpunitivesquadronsjoinedthepeopletheyhadbeensenttopunish.
"Areyoulistening,JohnGalt?...Wewishtonegotiate.Wemightmeetyourterms...Areyoulistening?"
Therewerewhisperedrumorsofcoveredwagonstravelingbynightthroughabandonedtrails,andofsecretsettlementsarmedtoresisttheattacksofthosewhomtheycalledthe"Indians"—theattacksofanylootingsavages,betheyhomelessmobsorgovernmentagents.
