Атлант расправил плечи
The Exploiters and the Exploited
Ithadbeenanofficebuilding,longago;shesawtheskythroughthenakedsteelskeletonandtheangularremnantsofthebricksthathadcrumbled.Intheshadowoftheruin,likeabladeofgrassfightingtoliveattherootsofadeadgiant,therestoodasmalldiner.Itswindowswereabrightbandofglassandlight.Shewentin.
Therewasacleancounterinside,withashiningstripofchromiumattheedges.Therewasabrightmetalboilerandtheodorofcoffee.Afewderelictssatatthecounter,ahusky,elderlymanstoodbehindit,thesleevesofhiscleanwhiteshirtrolledattheelbows.Thewarmairmadeherrealize,insimplegratitude,thatshehadbeencold.Shepulledherblackvelvetcapetightaboutherandsatdownatthecounter.
"Acupofcoffee,please,"shesaid.
Themenlookedatherwithoutcuriosity.Theydidnotseemastonishedtoseeawomanineveningclothesenteraslumdiner;nothingastonishedanyone,thesedays.Theownerturnedimpassivelytofillherorder;therewas,inhisstolidindifference,thekindofmercifulnessthatasksnoquestions.
Shecouldnottellwhetherthefouratthecounterwerebeggarsorworkingmen;neitherclothesnormannershowedthedifference,thesedays.Theownerplacedamugofcoffeebeforeher.Sheclosedbothhandsaboutit,findingenjoymentinitswarmth.
Sheglancedaroundherandthought,inhabitualprofessionalcalculation,howwonderfulitwasthatonecouldbuysomuchforadime.
