Atilla Shrugged

We hear only Eddie Willers’ side of the conversation…

Eddie Willers: “Do you take it seriously if somebody tells you that a meteor is going to destroy the earth?”

a momentary pause…

Eddie Willers: “I don’t either…”

a pause as Eddie listens…

Eddie Willers: “From Ocean to Ocean forever – that’s what we heard all through our childhood, she and I.”

a pause…

Eddie Willers: “No, they didn’t say forever, but that’s what it meant…”

a brief pause…

Eddie Willers: “You know, I’m not any kind of great man. I couldn’t have built that railroad. If it goes, I won’t be able to bring it back. I’ll have to go with it…”

…another pause…

Eddie Willers: “Don’t pay any attention to me, I don’t know why I should want to say things like that… guess I’m just a little tired tonight.” almost right away…

Eddie Willers: “…Yes, I worked late. She didn’t ask me to stay, but there was a light on under her door, long after the others had gone… ”

a brief pause…

Eddie Willers: “Yes, she’s gone home by now…” a bit longer as Eddie listens…

Eddie Willers: “Trouble? Oh, der’s always trouble in da office, but it ain’t never no worry t’ her…”

Eddie begins singing:

A Little Talk with Dagny —to the tune of “A Little Talk with Jesus” (Key of F)

• O’ a little talk with Dagny makes it right, all right,
• little talk with Dagny makes it right all right.
• Troubles of ev’ry kind, Thank God I’ll always find,
• that a little talk with Dagny makes it right.
• My brother, I remember when Jim Taggart was the boss,
• I cried “Have mercy, Dagny”, but my soul was tossed.
• Till I heard Dagny Taggart say “Come here, I’ll show the way!”
• And a little talk with Dagny makes it right.
• O’ a little talk with Dagny makes it right, all right,
• little talk with Dagny makes it right all right.
• Troubles of ev’ry kind, Thank God I’ll always find,
• that a little talk with Dagny makes it right.
• Sometimes the forked lightning and muttering thunder, too
• of trials and tribulations make it hard for me and you.
• But Dagny is our friend, she’ll keep us to the end;
• And a little talk with Dagny makes it right.
• O’ a little talk with Dagny makes it right, all right,
• little talk with Dagny makes it right all right.
• Troubles of ev’ry kind, Thank God I’ll always find,
• that a little talk with Dagny makes it right.

Transition to the interview with the police inspector…

to the tune of “A Little Talk with Jesus” (Key of F)