Atlas Shrugged

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 "The rights to Rearden Metal are not for sale."
"I am in a position to speak of large sums of money. Government money."
Rearden sat without moving, the muscles of his cheeks pulled tight; but his glance was indifferent,
focused only by the faint pull of morbid curiosity.
"You are a businessman, Mr. Rearden. This is a proposition which you cannot afford to ignore. On the
one hand, you are gambling against great odds, you are bucking an unfavorable public opinion, you run a
good chance of losing every penny you put into Rearden Metal. On the other hand, we can relieve you of
the risk and the responsibility, at an impressive profit, an immediate profit, much larger than you could
hope to realize from the sale of the metal for the next twenty years."
"The State Science Institute is a scientific establishment, not a commercial one," said Rearden. "What is it
that they're so afraid of?"
"You are using ugly, unnecessary words, Mr. Rearden. I am endeavoring to suggest that we keep the
discussion on a friendly plane. The matter is serious."
"I am beginning to see that."
"We are offering you a blank check on what is, as you realize, an unlimited account. What else can you
want? Name your price."
"The sale of the rights to Rearden Metal is not open to discussion.
If you have anything else to say, please say it and leave."
The man leaned back, looked at Rearden incredulously and asked, "What are you after?"
"I? What do you mean?"
"You're in business to make money, aren't you?"
"I am."
"You want to make as big a profit as possible, don't you?"
"I do."
"Then why do you want to struggle for years, squeezing out your gains in the form of pennies per
ton—rather than accept a fortune for Rearden Metal? Why?"
"Because it's mine. Do you understand the word?"
The man sighed and rose to his feet. "I hope you will not have cause to regret your decision, Mr.
Rearden," he said; the tone of his voice was suggesting the opposite.
"Good day," said Rearden.
"I think I must tell you that the State Science Institute may issue an official statement condemning