""All right, put it your own way: I don't want to. I don't want to be an Economic Director, not even long enough to issue that order for people to be free - which any rational human being would throw back in my face, because he'd know that his rights are not to be held, given or received by your permission or mine."
"Tell me," said Mr. Thompson, looking at him reflectively, "what is it you're after?"
"I told you on the radio."
"I don't get it. You said that you're out for your own selfish interest - and that, I can understand. But what can you possibly want in the future that you couldn't get right now, from us, handed down to you on a platter? I thought you were an egoist - and a practical man. I offer you a blank check on anything you wish - and you tell me that you don't want it. Why?"
"Because there are no funds behind your blank check."
"What?"
"Because you have no value to offer me."
"I can offer you anything you can ask. Just name it."
"You name it."
"Well, you talked a lot about wealth. If it's money that you want - you couldn't make in three lifetimes what I can hand over to you in a minute, this minute, cash on the barrel. Want a billion dollars - a cool, neat billion dollars?"
"Which I'll have to produce, for you to give me?"
"No I mean straight out of the public treasury, in fresh, new bills . . . or . . . or even in gold, if you prefer."
"What will it buy me?"
"Oh, look, when the country gets back on its feet -"
"When I put it back on its feet?"
"Well, if what you want is to run things your own way, if it's power that you're after, I'll guarantee you that every man, woman and child in this country will obey your orders and do whatever you wish."
"After I teach them to do it?"
"If you want anything for your own gang - for all those men who've disappeared - jobs, positions, authority, tax exemptions, any special favor at all - just name it and they'll get it."
"After I bring them back?"
"Well, what on earth do you want?"
"What on earth do I need you for?"
"Huh?"
"What have you got to offer me that I couldn't get without you?"
- Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand, pg 1101-1102