Атлант расправил плечи
The Exploiters and the Exploited
YourBoardwillturntheRioNorteLineovertome.Iwillactasmyowncontractor.Iwillgetmyownfinancing.Iwilltakefullchargeandsoleresponsibility.IwillcompletetheLineontime.AfteryouhaveseenhowtheReardenMetalrailscantakeit,IwilltransfertheLinebacktoTaggartTranscontinentalandI’llreturntomyjob.Thatisall."
Hewaslookingathersilently,danglingabedroomslipperonthetipofhisfoot.Shehadneversupposedthathopecouldlookuglyinaman’sface,butitdid:itwasmixedwithcunning.Sheturnedhereyesawayfromhim,wonderinghowitwaspossiblethataman’sfirstthoughtinsuchamomentcouldbeasearchforsomethingtoputoveronher.
Then,preposterously,thefirstthinghesaid,hisvoiceanxious,was,"ButwhowillrunTaggartTranscontinentalinthemeantime?"
Shechuckled;thesoundastonishedher,itseemedoldinitsbitterness.
Shesaid,"EddieWillers."
"Ohno!Hecouldn’t!"
Shelaughed,inthesamebrusque,mirthlessway."IthoughtyouweresmarterthanIaboutthingsofthiskind.EddiewillassumethetitleofActingVice-President.Hewilloccupymyofficeandsitatmydesk.
ButwhodoyousupposewillrunTaggartTranscontinental?"
"ButIdon’tseehow—"
"IwillcommutebyplanebetweenEddie’sofficeandColorado.Also,therearelong-distancephonesavailable.
