Atlas Shrugged II: The Strike Page #2

but according to Fair Share,

we can't sell them any more.

I'll deal with Ken Danagger myself.

And the order from the

State Science Institute?

Just put that one right at the bottom.

But Fair Share gives

the government priority.

We'll process them

in the order received.

- What could be more fair than that?

- Yes sir, Mr. Rearden.

And Leonard Small

from the State Science Institute is

still waiting for you in the boardroom.

Got it.

- Hank Rearden.

- It's me.

I had to shut down the 93 run.

My great-grandfather drove the

first spike into that rail himself.

Just like you and I did

on the John Galt Line.

- Sorry, Dagny.

- It wasn't paying.

But it was his baby.

Nostalgia's expensive these days.

Hey, remember the inn

at Cold Spring Harbor?

Of course.

I have a meeting in the city tomorrow.

We could go there, just take a break.

You need it.

- We need it.

- I'll see you tomorrow.

Mr. Rearden... Mr. Small.

Mr. Rearden, an honor to meet you.

Don't you have a home?

- Sir?

- Well, you've been camped out

in my boardroom, rent free.

Please understand that it's my job.

It's the job you chose.

I've just never met a looter with your

kind of dedication and endurance.

- I'm not a looter.

- No?

So, you're not here to take something

from me you didn't earn yourself?

You can't just reject a government

order for your materials.

- Why can't I?

- It's an Essential Needs project.

Essential to whom?

It's... it's very important.

It's for the State Science Institute.

Well, the State Science Institute

declared Rearden Metal unfit.

They did so very publicly.

Nearly ruined my company.

So, tell me why does the SSI

now need 10,000 tons of my

"dangerous, inferior metal"?

You laid a hundred miles of

track along the John Galt Line

that proved them wrong.

You still haven't answered my question.

Why? To what purpose?

Rest assured, Mr. Rearden,

it's in the public interest.

You tell your people

that I will not sell any Rearden Metal

to the State Science Institute

at any time, for any price,

- for any purpose whatsoever.

- Mr. Rearden,

no one has ever refused to sell

strategic material to the government.

It's against the Fair Share Law.

You have to sell it to them.

I'll make it simple for you.

Tell them I won't accept payment.

Now they're welcome to come

down here with their trucks

and their guns and seize

as much metal as they want.

- That would be theft.

- Damn, son.

You're brighter than you look.

One of these days, you're gonna

have to decide which side you're on.

You know, Mr. Rearden, times have changed.

We all have to be flexible.

We can't be tied down

by rigid principles.

Try pouring a ton of steel

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