Атлант расправил плечи
The Exploiters and the Exploited
IwilldojustwhatIhavebeendoing.Nothingwillchange,exceptthekindofshowyouwillputonforyourfriends...andthefactthatitwillbealittleharderforme."
"Whatshow?"
"Youunderstandme,Jim.Ihavenoideawhatsortofgamesyou’retangledin,youandyourBoardofDirectors.Idon’tknowhowmanyendsyou’reallplayingagainstthemiddleandagainstoneanother,orhowmanypretensesyouhavetokeepupinhowmanyoppositedirections.Idon’tknoworcare.Youcanallhidebehindme.
Ifyou’reallafraid,becauseyou’vemadedealswithfriendswho’rethreatenedbyReardenMetal—well,here’syourchancetogothroughthemotionsofassuringthemthatyou’renotinvolved,thatyou’renotdoingthis—Iam.Youcanhelpthemtocursemeanddenounceme.
Youcanallstayhome,takenorisksandmakenoenemies.Justkeepoutofmyway."
"Well..."hesaidslowly,"ofcourse,theproblemsinvolvedinthepolicyofagreatrailroadsystemarecomplex...whileasmall,independentcompany,inthenameofoneperson,couldaffordto—"
"Yes,Jim,yes,Iknowallthat.Themomentyouannouncethatyou’returningtheRioNorteLineovertome,theTaggartstockwillrise.Thebedbugswillstopcrawlingfromoutofunlikelycorners,sincetheywon’thavetheincentiveofabigcompanytobite.Beforetheydecidewhattodoaboutme,IwillhavetheLinefinished.
