The Cobra Commander Dialogues: III.VII.2

Originally posted on Atlas Shrugged: Author Filibuster.

Cobra Commander: So then, here in front of the whole of humanity… or at least the whole of humanity who tunes in at 8 o’clock for a presidential address in a world that is collapsing where large portions of the population certainly will no longer have TV’s as many people are likely doing without homes or electricity, I will lay out the charges against you. The greatest thinkers and leaders of the world have been disappearing, including so recently Dagny Taggart and Hank Rearden. You’ve been harboring known terrorists Ragnar Danneskjold and Francisco d’Anconia, two of the most wanted men on the planet. Your agents have been at work destabilizing the country, including participating in armed conflict even killing the tired and oppressed. And yet you’ve come here tonight only to gloat about your superiority haven’t you? To address the terrified people of the world and pronounce upon them a death sentence because you pretend yourself to be superior. I dare you to deny me!
*Click*
John Galt: And another… finally you’ve let me speak! I do not pretend to be superior, I am superior! I live only for myself, and let no man control me! I do not deny my friends and allies nor the stance I have taken, this world of ignorance will perish and be reborn in the glorious image of the chosen who have dared to claim what is rightfully theirs! And you are the one who now holds Ms. Taggart…
*Click*
Cobra Commander: I? You admit to kidnapping the greatest minds of the world in bulk but deny this one? This woman who was so recently associated with the industrial magnate Hank Rearden? Do you deny it because you wish to keep it from him that you have her, because you desire you for your own lover when the whole world has heard that she chose him?
*Click*
John Galt: SHE NEVER CHOSE HIM! She chose me! Me! Even Hank admits my superiority! They all do! You all will!
*Click*
Cobra Commander: Peoples of the world. The hungry. The oppressed. The dying. I will spare you more of this madman’s rage. I can promise you even now he is ranting obscenities and insanity directed at you. You! I, along with my secret freedom fighting organization Cobra have been battling against this vile villain from the shadows from the moment I realized that your leaders and governments were incapable of standing up to protect you. And now I have found this ‘John Galt’s’ hidden lair, protected from the world by fantastical weapons where he and his evil organization live in opulence as they laugh at the death that is now overtaking all of you. I ask you now, the people of this world to help me. To stand with me. To join Cobra as we mount an assault on his decadence and chaos and bring justice to John Galt once and for all! Justice for Galt! Hail Cobra!
*Click*
John Galt: Stop cutting me off! I have so much to say!
Cobra Commander: Oh we’re already off the air.
John Galt: What… but… but you only talked for a few minutes… I have hours… hours of material I wanted to cover!
Cobra Commander: And I’m sure it would have been just thrilling. But you see people are bored by such lengthy speeches. Just give them some rallying cry to jump behind, a few good sound bites to get them riled up… and they’ll be eating out of the palm of your hand.
John Galt: Half of what you told them were lies, the other half was pompous arrogance!
Cobra Commander: It’s as though I have to keep reminding people that I’m a villain. Your Gulch has been an annoyance to me you buffoon, but it has proved useful in the end. The shadow you’ve cast across the world is so dark, so vile, that the people have been crying out for someone, anyone to save them. And I will ride in as that valiant hero. Cobra will destroy your pathetic Gulch. Even with Serpentor helping you I will have the backing of the whole world to take you down. And when I do… I won’t have to conquer the world, they’ll beg me to save them from the mess you’ve left.
John Galt: No! You can’t save them! You have to let all of them die! You monster! How dare you try and save the world!
Cobra Commander: They say all it takes for evil to win is for good men to do nothing. And so I thank you, John, I really do… for all the nothing that you have done.