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“Mr. Rearden,” said the man, “the government needs your Metal. You have to sell it to us, because surely you’ll realize that the government’s plans cannot be held up by the matter of your consent.”

“A sale,” said Rearden, slowly “requires the sellers consent.” He got up and walked to the window. “I’ll tell you what you can do.” He pointed to the siding where ingots of Rearden Metal were being loaded into freight cars. “There’s Rearden Metal. Drive down there with your trucks- like any looter, but without his risk, because I won’t shoot you, as you know I can’t - take as much of the metal as you wish and go. Don’t try to send my payment. I won’t accept it. Don’t print out a check to me. It won’t be cashed. If you want that Metal, you have the guns to seize it. Go ahead.”

“Good God, Mr. Rearden, what would the public think!”

It was an instinctive, involuntary cry. The muscles of Rearden’s face moved briefly in soundless laughter. Both of them had understood the implications of that cry. Rearden said evenly, in the grave, unrestrained tone of finality, “You need my help to make it look like a sale - lake a safe, moral transaction. I will not help you.”
--Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged

I posted my story from my old job last week and you each responded to it. Well, I thought I'd share with you an interesting development that I just learned - it made me smile!

Just a few days after I posted my episode, my friend called me and related the latest event that happened at my old office.

First the context: I was one of 3 project managers at my old job, and after I left they really felt it. They were way arrogant and never valued my contributions. Well, in addition to their inability to cope with my loss, after i left morale worsened and things spiraled downward.

Three months after I left, one of the other case managers couldn't hack it and suddenly quit also. My old boss's ship was sinking, and she couldn't find anyone to replace me or the other guy who left. She ended up hiring someone for one of the slots, and after a long search, that person quit on her after a week or so!

Well, this past Friday, my old Boss's #1 boy and partner in crime, Bradley, suddenly quit on her also! They were closely aligned in running me out of town fast and discrediting me as best they could after I quit. It seems that since I left, he had increasing difficulties with my old boss, and in recent months their relationship deteriorated completely. Hmmmmmmm!

So he quit suddenly, leaving her high and dry. Now she is wildly understaffed and in way over her head. The workload is increasing for the Fall. She has almost no techincal ability and isn't equiped to run her department. In the 6 months since I left, her entire department was destroyed - everyone walked out on her and no one seems to be speaking to anyone else.

As I said, she will be demoted or fired herself, and her department will be outsourced before the year is done.

Have faith, True Believers!!! Things work out all too well!