Atlas Shrugged [717]
"Well, well, well!" he said brightly, marching up to the armchair.
"So you're the young fellow who's started all the trouble-Oh," he said suddenly, as he got a closer look at the dark green eyes watching him. "Well, I . . . I'm tickled pink to meet you, Mr. Galt, just tickled pink." He added, "I'm Mr. Thompson, you know."
"How do you do," said Galt.
Mr. Thompson thudded down on a chair, the brusqueness of the movement suggesting a cheerily businesslike attitude. "Now don't go imagining that you're under arrest or some such nonsense." He pointed at the room. "This is no jail, as you can see. You can see that we'll treat you right. You're a big person, a very big person-and we know it.
Just make yourself at home. Ask for anything you please. Fire any flunky that doesn't obey you. And if you take a dislike to any of the army boys outside, just breathe the word-and we'll send another one to replace him."
He paused expectantly. He received no answer.
"The only reason we brought you here is just that we wanted to talk to you. We wouldn't have done it this way, but you left us no choice. You kept hiding. And all we wanted was a chance to tell you that you got us all wrong."
He spread his hands out, palms up, with a disarming smile. Galt's eyes were watching him, without answer.
"That was some speech you made. Boy, are you an orator! You've done something to the country-I don't know what or why, but you have. People seem to want something you've got. But you thought we'd be dead set against it? That's where you're wrong. We're not. Personally, I think there was plenty in that speech that made sense. Yes, sir, I do. Of course, I don't agree with every word you said-but what the hell, you don't expect us to agree with everything, do you? Differences of opinion-that's what makes horse racing. Me, I'm always willing to change my mind. I'm open to any argument."
He leaned forward invitingly. He obtained no answer.
"The world is in a hell of a mess. Just as you said. There, I agree with you. We have a point in common. We can start from that. Something's got to be done about it. All I wanted was-Look," he cried suddenly, "why don't you let me talk to you?"
"You are talking to me."
"I . . . well, that is . . . well, you know what I mean."
"Fully."
"Well? . . . Well, what have you got to say?"
"Nothing."
"Huh?!"
"Nothing."
"Oh, come now!"
"I didn't seek to talk to you."
"But . . . but look! . . . we have things to discuss!"
"I haven't."
"Look," said Mr. Thompson, after a pause, "you're a man of action.
A practical man. Boy, are you a practical man! Whatever else I don't quite get about you, I'm sure of that. Now aren't you?"
"Practical? Yes."
"Well, so am I. We can talk straight We can put our cards on the table. Whatever it is you're after, I'm offering you a deal."
"I'm always open to a deal."
"I knew it!" cried Mr. Thompson triumphantly, slamming his fist down on his own knee. "I told them so-all those fool intellectual theorizers, like Wesley!"
"I'm always open to a deal-with anyone who has a value to offer me."
Mr. Thompson could not tell what made him miss a beat before he answered, "Well, write your own ticket, brother! Write your own ticket!"
"What have you got to offer me?"
"Why-anything."
"Such as?"
"Anything you name. Have you heard our short-wave broadcasts to you?"
"Yes."
"We said we'll meet your terms, any terms. We meant it."
"Have you heard me say on the radio that I have no terms to bargain about? I meant it."
"Oh, but look, you misunderstood us! You thought we'd fight you.
But we won't. We're not that rigid. We're willing to consider any idea.
Why didn't you answer our calls and come to a conference?"
"Why should I?"
"Because . . . because we wanted to speak to you in the name of the country."
"I don't recognize your right to speak in the name of the country."
"Now look here, I'm not used to . . . Well, okay, won't you just give me a hearing? Won't you listen?"
"I'm listening."