Атлант расправил плечи

           "I’mapracticalman,Mr.Thompson.Idon’tthinkit’spracticaltoestablishapersonwhosesolemeansoflivelihoodisthebreakingofmybones.Idon’tthinkit’spracticaltosupportaprotectionracket."

           Mr.Thompsonlookedthoughtful,thenshookhishead."Idon’tthinkyou’repractical,"hesaid."Apracticalmandoesn’tignorethefactsofreality.Hedoesn’twastehistimewishingthingstobedifferentortryingtochangethem.Hetakesthingsastheyare.We’reholdingyou.It’safact.Whetheryoulikeitornot,it’safact.Youshouldactaccordingly."

           "Iam."

           "WhatImeanis,youshouldco-operate.Youshouldrecognizeanexistingsituation,acceptitandadjusttoit."

           "Ifyouhadbloodpoisoning,wouldyouadjusttoitoracttochangeit?"

           "Oh,that’sdifferent!That’sphysical!"

           "Youmean,physicalfactsareopentocorrection,butyourwhimsarenot?"

           "Huh?"

           "Youmean,physicalnaturecanbeadjustedtomen,butyourwhimsareabovethelawsofnature,andmenmustadjusttoyou?"

           "ImeanthatIholdtheupperhand!"

           "Withaguninit?"

           "Oh,forgetaboutguns!I—"

           "Ican’tforgetafactofreality,Mr.Thompson.Thatwouldbeimpractical."

           "Allright,then:Iholdagun.