Атлант расправил плечи
The Top and the Bottom
ShehadruntheOperatingDepartmentforthepastthreeyears,withouttitle,creditorauthority.Shewasdefeatedbyloathingforthehours,thedays,thenightsshehadtowastecircumventingtheinterferenceofJim’sfriendwhoborethetitleofVice-PresidentinChargeofOperation.Themanhadnopolicy,andanydecisionhemadewasalwayshers,buthemadeitonlyafterhehadmadeeveryefforttomakeitimpossible.Whatshedeliveredtoherbrotherwasanultimatum.Hegasped,"But,Dagny,you’reawoman!AwomanasOperatingVice-President?It’sunheardof!TheBoardwon’tconsiderit!""ThenI’mthrough,"sheanswered.
Shedidnotthinkofwhatshewoulddowiththerestofherlife.TofaceleavingTaggartTranscontinentalwaslikewaitingtohaveherlegsamputated;shethoughtshewouldletithappen,thentakeuptheloadofwhateverwasleft.
SheneverunderstoodwhytheBoardofDirectorsvotedunanimouslytomakeherVice-PresidentinChargeofOperation.
ItwasshewhofinallygavethemtheirSanSebastiánLine.Whenshetookover,theconstructionhadbeenunderwayforthreeyears;onethirdofitstrackwaslaid;thecosttodatewasbeyondtheauthorizedtotal.ShefiredJim’sfriendsandfoundacontractorwhocompletedthejobinoneyear.
TheSanSebastiánLinewasnowinoperation.Nosurgeoftradehadcomeacrosstheborder,noranytrainsloadedwithcopper.AfewcarloadscameclatteringdownthemountainsfromSanSebastián,atlongintervals.
