Атлант расправил плечи
The Sanction of the Victim
Thejudge’sbenchhadbeenremovedfromtheoldPhiladelphiacourtroomforthisoccasion,andreplacedbyatableonawoodenplatform;itgavetheroomanatmospheresuggestingthekindofmeetingwhereapresidingbodyputssomethingoveronamentallyretardedmembership.
Oneofthejudges,actingasprosecutor,hadreadthecharges."Youmaynowofferwhateverpleayouwishtomakeinyourowndefense,"heannounced.
Facingtheplatform,hisvoiceinflectionlessandpeculiarlyclear,HankReardenanswered:"Ihavenodefense."
"Doyou—"Thejudgestumbled;hehadnotexpectedittobethateasy."Doyouthrowyourselfuponthemercyofthiscourt?"
"Idonotrecognizethiscourt’srighttotryme."
"What?"
"Idonotrecognizethiscourt’srighttotryme."
"But,Mr.Rearden,thisisthelegallyappointedcourttotrythisparticularcategoryofcrime."
"Idonotrecognizemyactionasacrime."
"ButyouhaveadmittedthatyouhavebrokenourregulationscontrollingthesaleofyourMetal."
"IdonotrecognizeyourrighttocontrolthesaleofmyMetal."
"Isitnecessaryformetopointoutthatyourrecognitionwasnotrequired?"
"No.IamfullyawareofitandIamactingaccordingly."
Henotedthestillnessoftheroom.
