Атлант расправил плечи
The Exploiters and the Exploited
"Itwastheofficeboyfromthefifthfloorwhocamerunningintotellmethathe’djusthearditontheradio.Icalledthenewspaperstoverifyit.ItriedtoreachMr.MouchinWashington.Hisofficedoesnotanswer."
"Whendidwehearfromhimlast?"
"Tendaysago,Mr.Rearden."
"Allright.Thankyou,Gwen.Keeptryingtogethisoffice."
"Yes,Mr.Rearden."
Shewalkedout.Mr.Wardwasonhisfeet,hatinhand.Hemuttered,"IguessI’dbetter—"
"Sitdown!"Reardensnappedfiercely.
Mr.Wardobeyed,staringathim.
"Wehadbusinesstotransact,didn’twe?"saidRearden.Mr.WardcouldnotdefinetheemotionthatcontortedRearden’smouthashespoke."Mr.Ward,whatisitthatthefoulestbastardsonearthdenounceusfor,amongotherthings?Ohyes,forourmottoof‘Businessasusual.’Well—businessasusual,Mr.Ward!"
Hepickedupthetelephonereceiverandaskedforhissuperintendent."Say,Pete...What?...Yes,I’veheard.Canit.We’lltalkaboutthatlater.WhatIwanttoknowis,couldyouletmehavefivehundredtonsofsteel,extra,aboveschedule,inthenextfewweeks?
...Yes,Iknow...Iknowit’stough...Givemethedatesandthefigures."Helistened,rapidlyjottingnotesdownonasheetofpaper.Thenhesaid,"Right.Thankyou,"andhungup.
