Атлант расправил плечи
White Blackmail
Nowwouldyoucaretobeamartyrforanissueofprinciple,onlyincircumstanceswherenobodywillknowthatthat’swhatyouare—nobodybutyouandme—whereyouwon’tgetachancetobreatheawordabouttheissueortheprinciple—whereyouwon’tbeahero,thecreatorofaspectacularnewmetal,makingastandagainstenemieswhoseactionsmightappearsomewhatshabbyintheeyesofthepublic—whereyouwon’tbeahero,butacommoncriminal,agreedyindustrialistwho’scheatedthelawforaplainmotiveofprofit,aracketeeroftheblackmarketwho’sbrokenthenationalregulationsdesignedtoprotectthepublicwelfare—aherowithoutgloryandwithoutpublic,who’llaccomplishnomorethanabouthalfacolumnofnewsprintsomewhereonpagefive—nowwouldyoustillcaretobethatkindofmartyr?Becausethat’sjustwhattheissueamountstonow:eitheryouletushavetheMetaloryougotojailfortenyearsandtakeyourfriendDanaggeralong,too."
Asabiologist,Dr.Ferrishadalwaysbeenfascinatedbythetheorythatanimalshadthecapacitytosmellfear;hehadtriedtodevelopasimilarcapacityinhimself.WatchingRearden,heconcludedthatthemanhadlongsincedecidedtogivein—becausehecaughtnotraceofanyfear.
"Whowasyourinformer?"askedRearden.
"Oneofyourfriends,Mr.Rearden.
