R.U.R.

By Karel Čapek.

Translated by Paul Selver and Nigel Playfair.

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Dramatis Personae

In order of appearance:

Harry Domin, General Manager of Rossum’s Universal Robots

A handsome man of 35. Forceful, efficient and humorous at times.

Sulla, a Robotess

A pathetic figure. Young, pretty and attractive.

Marius, a Robot

A young Robot, superior to the general run of his kind. Dressed in modern clothes.

Helena Glory

A vital, sympathetic, handsome girl of 21.

Dr. Gall, head of the Physiological and Experimental Department of R.U.R.

A tall, distinguished scientist of 50.

Mr. Fabry, Engineer General, Technical Controller of R.U.R.

A forceful, competent engineer of 40.

Dr. Hallemeier, head of the Institute for Psychological Training of Robots

An impressive man of 40. Bald head and beard.

Mr. Alquist, Architect, head of the Works Department of R.U.R.

A stout, kindly old man of 60.

Consul Busman, General Manager of R.U.R.

Nana

A tall, acidulous woman of 40.

Radius, a Robot

A tall, forceful Robot.

Helena, a Robotess

A radiant young woman of 20.

Primus, a Robot

A good-looking young Robot.

A Servant

First Robot

Second Robot

Third Robot

Note

All the Robots wear expressionless faces and move with absolute mechanical precision, with the exception of Sulla, Helena and Primus, who convey a touch of humanity.

R.U.R.

Or, Rossum’s Universal Robots

Act I

Scene: Central office of the factory of Rossum’s Universal Robots. Entrance R. down Right. The windows on the back wall look out on the endless roads of factory buildings. Door L. down Left. On the Left wall large maps showing steamship and railroad routes. On the Right wall are fastened printed placards. (“Robots cheapest Labor,” etc.) In contrast to these wall fittings, the floor is covered with splendid Turkish carpet, a couch R. C. A book shelf containing bottles of wine and spirits, instead of books.

Domin is sitting at his desk at Left, dictating. Sulla is at the typewriter upstage against the wall. There is a leather couch with arms Right Center. At the extreme Right an armchair. At extreme Left a chair. There is also a chair in front of Domin’s desk. Two green cabinets across the upstage corners of the room complete the furniture. Domin’s desk is placed up and down stage facing Right.

Seen through the windows which run to the heights of the room are rows of factory chimneys, telegraph poles and wires. There is a general passageway or hallway upstage at the Right Center which leads to the warehouse. The Robots are brought into the office through this entrance.

Domin
Dictating. Ready?

Sulla
Yes.

Domin
To E. M. McVicker & Co., Southampton, England. “We undertake no guarantee for goods damaged in transit. As soon as the consignment was taken on board we drew your captain’s attention to the fact that the vessel was unsuitable for the transportation of Robots; and we are therefore not responsible for spoiled freight. We beg to remain, for Rossum’s Universal Robots, yours truly.” Sulla types the lines. Ready?

Sulla
Yes.

Domin
Another letter. To the E. B. Huysen Agency, New York, USA “We beg to acknowledge receipt of order for five thousand Robots. As you are sending your own vessel, please dispatch as cargo equal quantities of soft and hard coal for R.U.R., the same to be credited as part payment buzzer of the amount due us.” Answering phone. Hello! This is the central office. Yes, certainly. Well, send them a wire. Good. Rises. “We beg to remain, for Rossum’s Universal Robots, yours very truly.” Ready?

Sulla
Yes.

Domin
Answering small portable phone. Hello! Yes. No. All right. Standing back of desk, punching plug machine and buttons. Another letter. Freidrichswerks, Hamburg, Germany. “We beg to acknowledge receipt of order for fifteen thousand Robots.” Enter Marius R. Well, what is it?

Marius
There’s a lady, sir, asking to see you.

Domin
A lady? Who is she?

Marius
I don’t know, sir. She brings this card of introduction.

Domin
Reading card. Ah, from President Glory. Ask her to come in﻿—To Sulla. Crossing up to her desk, then back to his own. Where did I leave off?

Sulla
“We beg to acknowledge receipt of order for fifteen thousand Robots.”

Domin
Fifteen thousand. Fifteen thousand.

Marius
At door R. Please step this way.

Enter Helena. Exit Marius R.

Helena
Crossing to desk. How do you do?

Domin
How do you do? What can I do for you?

Helena
You are Mr. Domin, the General Manager?

Domin
I am.

Helena
I have come﻿—

Domin
With President Glory’s card. That is quite sufficient.

Helena
President Glory is my father. I am Helena Glory.

Domin
Please sit down. Sulla, you may go. Exit Sulla L. Sitting down L. of desk. How can I be of service to you, Miss Glory?

Helena
I have come﻿—Sits R. of desk.

Domin
To have a look at our famous works where people are manufactured. Like all visitors. Well, there is no objection.

Helena
I thought it was forbidden to﻿—

Domin
To enter the factory? Yes, of course. Everybody comes here with someone’s visiting card, Miss Glory.

Helena
And you show them﻿—

Domin
Only certain things. The manufacture of artificial people is a secret process.

Helena
If you only knew how enormously that﻿—

Domin
Interests you. Europe’s talking about nothing else.

Helena
Indignantly turning front. Why don’t you let me finish speaking?

Domin
Drier. I beg your pardon. Did you want to say something different?

Helena
I only wanted to ask﻿—

Domin
Whether I could make a special exception in your case and show you our factory. Why, certainly, Miss Glory.

Helena
How do you know I wanted to say that?

Domin
They all do. But we shall consider it a special honor to show you more than we do the rest.

Helena
Thank you.

Domin
Standing. But you must agree not to divulge the least﻿—

Helena
Standing and giving him her hand. My word of honor.

Domin
Thank you. Looking at her hand. Won’t you raise your veil?

Helena
Of course. You want to see whether I’m a spy or not﻿—I beg your pardon.

Domin
Leaning forward. What is it?

Helena
Would you mind releasing my hand?

Domin
Releasing it. Oh, I beg your pardon.

Helena
Raising veil. How cautious you have to be here, don’t you?

Domin
Observing her with deep interest. Why, yes. Hm﻿—of course﻿—We﻿—that is﻿—

Helena
But what is it? What’s the matter?

Domin
I’m remarkably pleased. Did you have a pleasant crossing?

Helena
Yes.

Domin
No difficulty?

Helena
Why?

Domin
What I mean to say is﻿—you’re so young.

Helena
May we go straight into the factory?

Domin
Yes. Twenty-two, I think.

Helena
Twenty-two what?

Domin
Years.

Helena
Twenty-one. Why do you want to know?

Domin
Well, because﻿—as﻿—Sits on desk nearer her. You will make a long stay, won’t you?

Helena
(Backing away. R.) That depends on how much of the factory you show me.

Domin
Rises; crosses to her. Oh, hang the factory. Oh, no, no, you shall see everything, Miss Glory. Indeed you shall. Won’t you sit down? Takes her to couch R. C. She sits. Offers her cigarette from case at end of sofa. She refuses.

Helena
Thank you.

Domin
But first would you like to hear the story of the invention?

Helena
Yes, indeed.

Domin
Crosses to L. C. near desk. It was in the year 1920 that old Rossum, the great physiologist, who was then quite a young scientist, took himself to the distant island for the purpose of studying the ocean fauna. She is amused. On this occasion he attempted by chemical synthesis to imitate the living matter known as protoplasm until he suddenly discovered a substance which behaved exactly like living matter although its chemical composition was different. That was in the year 1932, exactly four hundred and forty years after the discovery of America. Whew﻿—

Helena
Do you know that by heart?

Domin
Takes flowers from desk to her. Yes. You see, physiology is not in my line. Shall I go on?

Helena
Smelling flowers. Yes, please.

Domin
Center. And then, Miss Glory, Old Rossum wrote the following among his chemical experiments: “Nature has found only one method of organizing living matter. There is, however, another method, more simple, flexible and rapid which has not yet occurred to Nature at all. This second process by which life can be developed was discovered by me today.” Now imagine him, Miss Glory, writing those wonderful words over some colloidal mess that a dog wouldn’t look at. Imagine him sitting over a test tube and thinking how the whole tree of life would grow from him, how all animals would proceed from it, beginning with some sort of a beetle and ending with a man. A man of different substance from us. Miss Glory, that was a tremendous moment. Gets box of candy from desk and passes it to her.

Helena
Well﻿—

Domin
As she speaks his portable phone lights up and he answers. Well﻿—Hello!﻿—Yes﻿—no, I’m in conference. Don’t disturb me.

Helena
Well?

Domin
Smile. Now, the thing was how to get the life out of the test tubes, and hasten development and form organs, bones and nerves, and so on, and find such substances as catalytics, enzymes, hormones in short﻿—you understand?

Helena
Not much, I’m afraid.

Domin
Never mind. Leans over couch and fixes cushion for her back. There! You see with the help of his tinctures he could make whatever he wanted. He could have produced a Medusa with the brain of Socrates or a worm fifty yards long﻿—She laughs. He does also; leans closer on couch, then straightens up again﻿—but being without a grain of humor, he took into his head to make a vertebrate or perhaps a man. This artificial living matter of his had a raging thirst for life. It didn’t mind being sown or mixed together. That couldn’t be done with natural albumen. And that’s how he set about it.

Helena
About what?

Domin
About imitating Nature. First of all he tried making an artificial dog. That took him several years and resulted in a sort of stunted calf which died in a few days. I’ll show it to you in the museum. And then old Rossum started on the manufacture of man.

Helena
And I’m to divulge this to nobody?

Domin
To nobody in the world.

Helena
What a pity that it’s to be discovered in all the school books of both Europe and America. Both laugh.

Domin
Yes. But do you know what isn’t in the school books? That old Rossum was mad. Seriously, Miss Glory, you must keep this to yourself. The old crank wanted to actually make people.

Helena
But you do make people.

Domin
Approximately﻿—Miss Glory. But old Rossum meant it literally. He wanted to become a sort of scientific substitute for God. He was a fearful materialist, and that’s why he did it all. His sole purpose was nothing more or less than to prove that God was no longer necessary. Crosses to end of couch. Do you know anything about anatomy?

Helena
Very little.

Domin
Neither do I. Well﻿—He laughs﻿—he then decided to manufacture everything as in the human body. I’ll show you in the museum the bungling attempt it took him ten years to produce. It was to have been a man, but it lived for three days only. Then up came young Rossum, an engineer. He was a wonderful fellow, Miss Glory. When he saw what a mess of it the old man was making he said: “It’s absurd to spend ten years making a man. If you can’t make him quicker than Nature, you might as well shut up shop.” Then he set about learning anatomy himself.

Helena
There’s nothing about that in the school books?

Domin
No. The school books are full of paid advertisements, and rubbish at that. What the school books say about the united efforts of the two great Rossums is all a fairy tale. They used to have dreadful rows. The old atheist hadn’t the slightest conception of industrial matters, and the end of it was that Young Rossum shut him up in some laboratory or other and let him fritter the time away with his monstrosities while he himself started on the business from an engineer’s point of view. Old Rossum cursed him and before he died he managed to botch up two physiological horrors. Then one day they found him dead in the laboratory. And that’s his whole story.

Helena
And what about the young man?

Domin
Sits beside her on couch. Well, anyone who has looked into human anatomy will have seen at once that man is too complicated, and that a good engineer could make him more simply. So young Rossum began to overhaul anatomy to see what could be left out or simplified. In short﻿—But this isn’t boring you, Miss Glory?

Helena
No, indeed. You’re﻿—It’s awfully interesting.

Domin
Gets closer. So young Rossum said to himself: “A man is something that feels happy, plays the piano, likes going for a walk, and, in fact, wants to do a whole lot of things that are really unnecessary.”

Helena
Oh.

Domin
That are unnecessary when he wants﻿—Takes her hand﻿—let us say, to weave or count. Do you play the piano?

Helena
Yes.

Domin
That’s good. Kisses her hand. She lowers her head. Oh, I beg your pardon! Rises. But a working machine must not play the piano, must not feel happy, must not do a whole lot of other things. A gasoline motor must not have tassels or ornaments, Miss Glory. And to manufacture artificial workers is the same thing as the manufacture of a gasoline motor. She is not interested. The process must be the simplest, and the product the best from a practical point of view. Sits beside her again. What sort of worker do you think is the best from a practical point of view?

Helena
Absently. What? Looks at him.

Domin
What sort of worker do you think is the best from a practical point of view?

Helena
Pulling herself together. Oh! Perhaps the one who is most honest and hardworking.

Domin
No. The one that is the cheapest. The one whose requirements are the smallest. Young Rossum invented a worker with the minimum amount of requirements. He had to simplify him. He rejected everything that did not contribute directly to the progress of work. Everything that makes man more expensive. In fact he rejected man and made the Robot. My dear Miss Glory, the Robots are not people. Mechanically they are more perfect than we are; they have an enormously developed intelligence, but they have no soul. Leans back.

Helena
How do you know they have no soul?

Domin
Have you ever seen what a Robot looks like inside?

Helena
No.

Domin
Very neat, very simple. Really a beautiful piece of work. Not much in it, but everything in flawless order. The product of an engineer is technically at a higher pitch of perfection than a product of Nature.

Helena
But man is supposed to be the product of God.

Domin
All the worse. God hasn’t the slightest notion of modern engineering. Would you believe that young Rossum then proceeded to play at being God?

Helena
Awed. How do you mean?

Domin
He began to manufacture Super-Robots. Regular giants they were. He tried to make them twelve feet tall. But you wouldn’t believe what a failure they were.

Helena
A failure?

Domin
Yes. For no reason at all their limbs used to keep snapping off. “Evidently our planet is too small for giants.” Now we only make Robots of normal size and of very high-class human finish.

Helena
Hands him flower; he puts it in buttonhole. I saw the first Robots at home. The Town Council bought them for﻿—I mean engaged them for work.

Domin
No. Bought them, Miss Glory. Robots are bought and sold.

Helena
These were employed as street-sweepers. I saw them sweeping. They were so strange and quiet.

Domin
Rises. Rossum’s Universal Robot factory doesn’t produce a uniform brand of Robots. We have Robots of finer and coarser grades. The best will live about twenty years. Crosses to desk. Helena looks in her pocket mirror. He pushes button on desk.

Helena
Then they die?

Domin
Yes, they get used up. Enter Marius, R. Domin crosses to C. Marius, bring in samples of the manual labor Robot. Exit Marius R. C. I’ll show you specimens of the two extremes. This first grade is comparatively inexpensive and is made in vast quantities. Marius reenters R. C. with two manual labor Robots. Marius is L. C., Robots R. C., Domin at desk. Marius stands on tiptoes, touches head, feels arms, forehead of one of the Robots. They come to a mechanical standstill. There you are, as powerful as a small tractor. Guaranteed to have average intelligence. That will do, Marius. Marius exits R. C. with Robots.

Helena
They make me feel so strange.

Domin
Crosses to desk. Rings. Did you see my new typist?

Helena
I didn’t notice her.

Enter Sulla L. She crosses and stands C., facing Helena, who is still sitting in the couch.

Domin
Sulla, let Miss Glory see you.

Helena
Looks at Domin. Rising, crosses a step to C. So pleased to meet you. Looks at Domin. You must find it terribly dull in this out of the way spot, don’t you?

Sulla
I don’t know, Miss Glory.

Helena
Where do you come from?

Sulla
From the factory.

Helena
Oh, were you born there?

Sulla
I was made there.

Helena
What? Looks first at Sulla, then at Domin.

Domin
To Sulla, laughing. Sulla is a Robot, best grade.

Helena
Oh, I beg your pardon.

Domin
Crosses to Sulla. Sulla isn’t angry. See, Miss Glory, the kind of skin we make. Feel her face. Touches Sulla’s face.

Helena
Oh, no, no.

Domin
Examining Sulla’s hand. You wouldn’t know that she’s made of different material from us, would you? Turn ’round, Sulla. Sulla does so. Circles twice.

Helena
Oh, stop, stop.

Domin
Talk to Miss Glory, Sulla. Examines hair of Sulla.

Sulla
Please sit down. Helena sits on couch. Did you have a pleasant crossing? Fixes her hair.

Helena
Oh, yes, certainly.

Sulla
Don’t go back on the Amelia, Miss Glory, the barometer is falling steadily. Wait for the Pennsylvania. That’s a good powerful vessel.

Domin
What’s its speed?

Sulla
Forty knots an hour. Fifty thousand tons. One of the latest vessels, Miss Glory.

Helena
Thank you.

Sulla
A crew of fifteen hundred, Captain Harpy, eight boilers﻿—

Domin
That’ll do, Sulla. Now show us your knowledge of French.

Helena
You know French?

Sulla
Oui! Madame! I know four languages. I can write: “Dear Sir, Monsieur, Geehrter Herr, Cteny pane.”

Helena
Jumping up, crosses to Sulla. Oh, that’s absurd! Sulla isn’t a Robot. Sulla is a girl like me. Sulla, this is outrageous﻿—Why do you take part in such a hoax?

Sulla
I am a Robot.

Helena
No, no, you are not telling the truth. She catches the amused expression on Domin’s face. I know they have forced you to do it for an advertisement. Sulla, you are a girl like me, aren’t you? Looks at him.

Domin
I’m sorry, Miss Glory. Sulla is a Robot.

Helena
It’s a lie!

Domin
What? Pushes button on desk. Well, then I must convince you. Enter Marius R. C. He stands just inside the door. Marius, take Sulla into the dissecting room, and tell them to open her up at once. Marius moves toward C.

Helena
Where?

Domin
Into the dissecting room. When they’ve cut her open, you can go and have a look.Marius makes a start toward Sulla.

Helena
Stopping Marius. No! No!

Domin
Excuse me, you spoke of lies.

Helena
You wouldn’t have her killed?

Domin
You can’t kill machines. Sulla! Marius one step forward, one arm out. Sulla makes a move toward R. door.

Helena
Moves a step R. Don’t be afraid, Sulla. I won’t let you go. Tell me, my dear﻿—(Takes her hand)﻿—are they always so cruel to you? You mustn’t put up with it, Sulla. You mustn’t.

Sulla
I am a Robot.

Helena
That doesn’t matter. Robots are just as good as we are. Sulla, you wouldn’t let yourself be cut to pieces?

Sulla
Yes. Hand away.

Helena
Oh, you’re not afraid of death, then?

Sulla
I cannot tell, Miss Glory.

Helena
Do you know what would happen to you in there?

Sulla
Yes, I should cease to move.

Helena
How dreadful! Looks at Sulla.

Domin
Marius, tell Miss Glory what you are? Turns to Helena.

Marius
To Helena. Marius, the Robot.

Domin
Would you take Sulla into the dissecting room?

Marius
Turns to Domin. Yes.

Domin
Would you be sorry for her?

Marius
Pause. I cannot tell.

Domin
What would happen to her?

Marius
She would cease to move. They would put her into the stamping mill.

Domin
That is death, Marius. Aren’t you afraid of death?

Marius
No.

Domin
You see, Miss Glory, the Robots have no interest in life. They have no enjoyments. They are less than so much grass.

Helena
Oh, stop. Please send them away.

Domin
Pushes button. Marius, Sulla, you may go. Marius pivots and exits R. Sulla exits L.

Helena
How terrible! To C. It’s outrageous what you are doing. He takes her hand.

Domin
Why outrageous? His hand over hers. Laughing.

Helena
I don’t know, but it is. Why do you call her “Sulla”?

Domin
Isn’t it a nice name? Hand away.

Helena
It’s a man’s name. Sulla was a Roman General.

Domin
What! Oh! Laughs. We thought that Marius and Sulla were lovers.

Helena
Indignantly. Marius and Sulla were generals and fought against each other in the year﻿—I’ve forgotten now.

Domin
Laughing. Come here to the window. He goes to window C.

Helena
What?

Domin
Come here. She goes. Do you see anything? Takes her arm. She is on his R.

Helena
Bricklayers.

Domin
Robots. All our work people are Robots. And down there, can you see anything?

Helena
Some sort of office.

Domin
A counting house. And in it﻿—

Helena
A lot of officials.

Domin
Robots! All our officials are Robots. And when you see the factory﻿—Noon whistle blows. She is scared; puts arm on Domin. He laughs. If we don’t blow the whistle the Robots won’t stop working. In two hours I’ll show you the kneading trough. Both come down stage. Helena is L. C. and Domin is R. C., arm in arm.

Helena
Kneading trough?

Domin
The pestle for beating up the paste. In each one we mix the ingredients for a thousand Robots at one operation. Then there are the vats for the preparation of liver, brains, and so on. Then you will see the bone factory. After that I’ll show you the spinning mill.

Helena
Spinning mill?

Domin
Yes. For weaving nerves and veins. Miles and miles of digestive tubes pass through it at a time.

Helena
Watching his gestures. Mayn’t we talk about something else?

Domin
Perhaps it would be better. There’s only a handful of us among a hundred thousand Robots, and not one woman. We talk nothing but the factory all day, and every day. It’s just as if we were under a curse, Miss Glory.

Helena
I’m sorry I said that you were lying. A KNOCK at door R.

Domin
Come in. He is C.

From R. enter Dr. Gall, Dr. Fabry, Alquist and Dr. Hallemeier. All act formal﻿—conscious. All click heels as introduced.

Dr. Gall
Noisily. I beg your pardon. I hope we don’t intrude.

Domin
No, no. Come in. Miss Glory, here are Gall, Fabry, Alquist, Hallemeier. This is President Glory’s daughter. All move to her and shake her hand.

Helena
How do you do?

Fabry
We had no idea﻿—

Dr. Gall.
Highly honored, I’m sure﻿—

Alquist
Welcome, Miss Glory.

Busman
Rushes in from R. Hello, what’s up?

Domin
Come in, Busman. This is President Glory’s daughter. This is Busman, Miss Glory.

Busman
By Jove, that’s fine. All click heels. He crowds in and shakes her hand. Miss Glory, may we send a cablegram to the papers about your arrival?

Helena
No, no, please don’t.

Domin
Sit down, please, Miss Glory.

On the line, “Sit down, please,” all Six Men try to find her a chair at once. Helena goes for the chair at the extreme L. Domin takes the chair at front of desk, places it in the C. of stage. Hallemeier gets chair at Sulla’s typewriter and places it to R. of chair at C. Busman gets armchair from extreme R., but by now Helena has sat in Domin’s preferred chair, at C. All sit except Domin. Busman at R. in armchair. Hallemeier R. of Helena. Fabry in swivel chair back of desk.

Busman
Allow me﻿—

Dr. Gall.
Please﻿—

Fabry
Excuse me﻿—

Alquist
What sort of a crossing did you have?

Dr. Gall
Are you going to stay long? Men conscious of their appearance. Alquist’s trousers turned up at bottom. He turns them down. Busman polishes shoes. Others fix ties, collars, etc.

Fabry
What do you think of the factory, Miss Glory?

Hallemeier
Did you come over on the Amelia?

Domin
Be quiet and let Miss Glory speak. Men sit erect. Domin stands at Helena’s L.

Helena
To Domin. What am I to speak to them about? Men look at one another.

Domin
Anything you like.

Helena
Looks at Domin. May I speak quite frankly?

Domin
Why, of course.

Helena
To Others. Wavering, then in desperate resolution. Tell me, doesn’t it ever distress you the way you are treated?

Fabry
By whom, may I ask?

Helena
Why, everybody.

Alquist
Treated?

Dr. Gall
What makes you think﻿—

Helena
Don’t you feel that you might be living a better life? Pause. All confused.

Dr. Gall
Smiling. Well, that depends on what you mean, Miss Glory.

Helena
I mean that it’s perfectly outrageous. It’s terrible. Standing up. The whole of Europe is talking about the way you’re being treated. That’s why I came here, to see for myself, and it’s a thousand times worse than could have been imagined. How can you put up with it?

Alquist
Put up with what?

Helena
Good heavens, you are living creatures, just like us, like the whole of Europe, like the whole world. It’s disgraceful that you must live like this.

Busman
Good gracious, Miss Glory!

Fabry
Well, she’s not far wrong. We live here just like red Indians.

Helena
Worse than red Indians. May I﻿—oh, may I call you﻿—brothers? Men look at each other.

Busman
Why not?

Helena
Looking at Domin. Brothers, I have not come here as the President’s daughter. I have come on behalf of the Humanity League. Brothers, the Humanity League now has over two hundred thousand members. Two hundred thousand people are on your side, and offer you their help. Tapping back of chair.

Busman
Two hundred thousand people, Miss Glory; that’s a tidy lot. Not bad.

Fabry
I’m always telling you there’s nothing like good old Europe. You see they’ve not forgotten us. They’re offering us help.

Dr. Gall
What kind of help? A theatre, for instance?

Hallemeier
An orchestra?

Helena
More than that.

Alquist
Just you?

Helena
Glaring at Domin. Oh, never mind about me. I’ll stay as long as it is necessary. All express delight.

Busman
By Jove, that’s good.

Alquist
Rising L. Domin, I’m going to get the best room ready for Miss Glory.

Domin
Just a minute. I’m afraid that Miss Glory is of the opinion she has been talking to Robots.

Helen
Of course. Men laugh.

Domin
I’m sorry. These gentlemen are human beings just like us.

Helena
You’re not Robots?

Together.

Busman
Hallemeier
Dr. Gall
Fabry
Not Robots.

Robots indeed!

No, thanks.

Upon my honor, Miss Glory, we aren’t Robots.

Helena
Then why did you tell me that all your officials are Robots?

Domin
Yes, the officials, but not the managers. Allow me, Miss Glory﻿—this is Consul Busman, General Business Manager; this is Doctor Fabry, General Technical Manager; Doctor Hallemeier, head of the Institute for the Psychological Training of Robots; Doctor Gall, head of the Psychological and Experimental Department; and Alquist, head of the Building Department, R.U.R. As they are introduced they rise and come C. to kiss her hand, except Gall and Alquist, whom Domin pushes away. General babble.

Alquist
Just a builder. Please sit down.

Helena
Excuse me, gentlemen. Have I done something dreadful?

Alquist
Not at all, Miss Glory.

Busman
Handing flowers. Allow me, Miss Glory.

Helena
Thank you.

Fabry
Handing candy. Please, Miss Glory.

Domin
Will you have a cigarette, Miss Glory?

Helena
No, thank you.

Domin
Do you mind if I do?

Helena
Certainly not.

Busman
Well, now, Miss Glory, it is certainly nice to have you with us.

Helena
Seriously. But you know I’ve come to disturb your Robots for you. Busman pulls chair closer.

Domin
Mocking her serious tone. My dear Miss Glory﻿—chuckle﻿—we’ve had close upon a hundred saviors and prophets here. Every ship brings us some. Missionaries, Anarchists, Salvation Army, all sorts! It’s astonishing what a number of churches and idiots there are in the world.

Helena
And yet you let them speak to the Robots.

Domin
So far we’ve let them all. Why not? The Robot remembers everything but that’s all. They don’t even laugh at what the people say. Really it’s quite incredible.

Helena
I’m a stupid girl. Send me back by the first ship.

Dr. Gall
Not for anything in the world, Miss Glory. Why should we send you back?

Domin
If it would amuse you, Miss Glory, I’ll take you down to the Robot warehouse. It holds about three hundred thousand of them.

Busman
Three hundred and forty-seven thousand.

Domin
Good, and you can say whatever you like to them. You can read the Bible, recite the multiplication table, whatever you please. You can even preach to them about human rights.

Helena
Oh, I think that if you were to show them a little love.

Fabry
Impossible, Miss Glory! Nothing is harder to like than a Robot.

Helena
What do you make them for, then?

Busman
Ha, ha, ha! That’s good. What are Robots made for?

Fabry
For work, Miss Glory. One Robot can replace two and a half workmen. The human machine, Miss Glory, was terribly imperfect. It had to be removed sooner or later.

Busman
It was too expensive.

Fabry
It was not effective. It no longer answers the requirements of modern engineering. Nature has no idea of keeping pace with modern labor. For example, from a technical point of view, the whole of childhood is a sheer absurdity. So much time lost. And then again﻿—

Helena
Turns to Domin. Oh, no, no!

Fabry
Pardon me. What is the real aim of your League﻿—the﻿—the Humanity League?

Helena
Its real purpose is to﻿—to protect the Robots﻿—and﻿—and to insure good treatment for them.

Fabry
Not a bad object, either. A machine has to be treated properly. Leans back. I don’t like damaged articles. Please, Miss Glory, enroll us all members of your league. “Yes, yes!” from all Men.

Helena
No, you don’t understand me. What we really want is to﻿—to﻿—liberate the Robots. Looks at all Others.

Hallemeier
How do you propose to do that?

Helena
They are to be﻿—to be dealt with like human beings.

Hallemeier
Aha! I suppose they’re to vote. To drink beer. To order us about?

Helena
Why shouldn’t they drink beer?

Hallemeier
Perhaps they’re even to receive wages? Looking at other Men, amused.

Helena
Of course they are.

Hallemeier
Fancy that! Now! And what would they do with their wages, pray?

Helena
They would buy﻿—what they want﻿—what pleases them.

Hallemeier
That would be very nice, Miss Glory, only there’s nothing that does please the Robots. Good heavens, what are they to buy? You can feed them on pineapples, straw, whatever you like. It’s all the same to them. They’ve no appetite at all. They’ve no interest in anything. Why, hang it all, nobody’s ever yet seen a Robot smile.

Helena
Why﻿—why don’t you make them﻿—happier?

Hallemeier
That wouldn’t do, Miss Glory. They are only workmen.

Helena
Oh, but they’re so intelligent.

Hallemeier
Confoundedly so, but they’re nothing else. They’ve no will of their own. No soul. No passion.

Helena
No love?

Hallemeier
Love? Huh! Rather not. Robots don’t love. Not even themselves.

Helena
No defiance?

Hallemeier
Defiance? I don’t know. Only rarely, from time to time.

Helena
What happens then?

Hallemeier
Nothing particular. Occasionally they seem to go off their heads. Something like epilepsy, you know. It’s called “Robot’s Cramp.” They’ll suddenly sling down everything they’re holding, stand still, gnash their teeth﻿—and then they have to go into the stamping-mill. It’s evidently some breakdown in the mechanism.

Domin
Sitting on desk. A flaw in the works that has to be removed.

Helena
No, no, that’s the soul.

Fabry
Humorously. Do you think that the soul first shows itself by a gnashing of teeth? Men chuckle.

Helena
Perhaps it’s just a sign that there’s a struggle within. Perhaps it’s a sort of revolt. Oh, if you could infuse them with it.

Domin
That’ll be remedied, Miss Glory. Doctor Gall is just making some experiments.

Dr. Gall
Not with regard to that, Domin. At present I am making pain nerves.

Helena
Pain nerves?

Dr. Gall
Yes, the Robots feel practically no bodily pain. You see, young Rossum provided them with too limited a nervous system. We must introduce suffering.

Helena
Why do you want to cause them pain?

Dr. Gall
For industrial reasons, Miss Glory. Sometimes a Robot does damage to himself because it doesn’t hurt him. He puts his hand into the machine﻿—describes with gesture﻿—breaks his finger﻿—describes with gesture﻿—smashes his head. It’s all the same to him. We must provide them with pain. That’s an automatic protection against damage.

Helena
Will they be happier when they feel pain?

Dr. Gall
On the contrary; but they will be more perfect from a technical point of view.

Helena
Why don’t you create a soul for them?

Dr. Gall
That’s not in our power.

Fabry
That’s not in our interest.

Busman
That would increase the cost of production. Hang it all, my dear young lady, we turn them out at such a cheap rate﻿—a hundred and fifty dollars each, fully dressed, and fifteen years ago they cost ten thousand. Five years ago we used to buy the clothes for them. Today we have our own weaving mill, and now we even export cloth five times cheaper than other factories. What do you pay a yard for cloth, Miss Glory?

Helena
Looking at Domin. I don’t really know. I’ve forgotten.

Busman
Good gracious, and you want to found a Humanity League. Men chuckle. It only costs a third now, Miss Glory. All prices are today a third of what they were and they’ll fall still lower, lower, like that.

Helena
I don’t understand.

Busman
Why, bless you, Miss Glory, it means that the cost of labor has fallen. A Robot, food and all, costs three-quarters of a cent per hour. Leans forward. That’s mighty important, you know. All factories will go pop like chestnuts if they don’t at once buy Robots to lower the cost of production.

Helena
And get rid of all their workmen?

Busman
Of course. But in the meantime we’ve dumped five hundred thousand tropical Robots down on the Argentine pampas to grow corn. Would you mind telling me how much you pay a pound for bread?

Helena
I’ve no idea. All smile.

Busman
Well, I’ll tell you. It now costs two cents in good old Europe. A pound of bread for two cents, and the Humanity League﻿—designates Helena﻿—knows nothing about it. To Men. Miss Glory, you don’t realize that even that’s too expensive. All Men chuckle. Why, in five years’ time I’ll wager﻿—

Helena
What?

Busman
That the cost of everything will be a tenth of what it is today. Why, in five years we’ll be up to our ears in corn and﻿—everything else.

Alquist
Yes, and all the workers throughout the world will be unemployed.

Domin
Seriously. Rises. Yes, Alquist, they will. Yes, Miss Glory, they will. But in ten years Rossum’s Universal Robots will produce so much corn, so much cloth, so much everything that things will be practically without price. There will be no poverty. All work will be done by living machines. Everybody will be free from worry and liberated from the degradation of labor. Everybody will live only to perfect himself.

Helena
Will he?

Domin
Of course. It’s bound to happen. Then the servitude of man to man and the enslavement of man to matter will cease. Nobody will get bread at the cost of life and hatred. The Robots will wash the feet of the beggar and prepare a bed for him in his house.

Alquist
Domin, Domin, what you say sounds too much like Paradise. There was something good in service and something great in humility. There was some kind of virtue in toil and weariness.

Domin
Perhaps, but we cannot reckon with what is lost when we start out to transform the world. Man shall be free and supreme; he shall have no other aim, no other labor, no other care than to perfect himself. He shall serve neither matter nor man. He will not be a machine and a device for production. He will be Lord of creation.

Busman
Amen.

Fabry
So be it.

Helena
Rises. You have bewildered me. I should like to believe this.

Dr. Gall
You are younger than we are, Miss Glory. You will live to see it.

Hallemeier
True. Looking around. Don’t you think Miss Glory might lunch with us? All Men rise.

Dr. Gall
Of course. Domin, ask her on behalf of us all.

Domin
Miss Glory, will you do us the honor?

Helena
When you know why I’ve come?

Fabry
For the League of Humanity, Miss Glory.

Helena
Oh, in that case perhaps﻿—

Fabry
That’s fine. Pause. Miss Glory, excuse me for five minutes. Exits R.

Hallemeier
Thank you. Exits R. with Dr. Gall.

Busman
Whispering. I’ll be back soon. Beckoning to Alquist, they exit.

Alquist
Starts, stops, then to Helena, then to door. I’ll be back in exactly five minutes. Exits R.

Helena
What have they all gone for?

Domin
To cook, Miss Glory. On her L.

Helena
To cook what?

Domin
Lunch. They laugh; takes her hand. The Robots do our cooking for us and as they’ve no taste it’s not altogether﻿—She laughs. Hallemeier is awfully good at grills and Gall can make any kind of sauce, and Busman knows all about omelets.

Helena
What a feast! And what’s the specialty of Mr.﻿—your builder?

Domin
Alquist? Nothing. He only lays the table. And Fabry will get together a little fruit. Our cuisine is very modest, Miss Glory.

Helena
Thoughtfully. I wanted to ask you something﻿—

Domin
And I wanted to ask you something too﻿—they’ll be back in five minutes. Looks at door R.

Helena
What did you want to ask me? Sits C.

Domin
Excuse me, you asked first. Sits L. of her.

Helena
Perhaps it’s silly of me, but why do you manufacture female Robots when﻿—when﻿—

Domin
When sex means nothing to them?

Helena
Yes.

Domin
There’s a certain demand for them, you see. Servants, saleswomen, stenographers. People are used to it.

Helena
But﻿—but tell me, are the Robots male and female, mutually﻿—completely without﻿—

Domin
Completely indifferent to each other, Miss Glory. There’s no sign of any affection between them.

Helena
Oh, that’s terrible.

Domin
Why?

Helena
It’s so unnatural. One doesn’t know whether to be disgusted or to hate them, or perhaps﻿—

Domin
To pity them. Smiles.

Helena
That’s more like it. What did you want to ask me?

Domin
I should like to ask you, Miss Helena, if you will marry me.

Helena
What? Rises.

Domin
Will you be my wife? Rises.

Helena
No. The idea!

Domin
To her, looking at his watch. Another three minutes. If you don’t marry me you’ll have to marry one of the other five.

Helena
But why should I?

Domin
Because they’re all going to ask you in turn.

Helena
Crossing him to L. C. How could they dare do such a thing?

Domin
I’m very sorry, Miss Glory. It seems they’ve fallen in love with you.

Helena
Please don’t let them. I’ll﻿—I’ll go away at once. Starts R. He stops her, his arms up.

Domin
Helena﻿—She backs away to desk. He follows. You wouldn’t be so cruel as to refuse us.

Helena
But, but﻿—I can’t marry all six.

Domin
No, but one anyhow. If you don’t want me, marry Fabry.

Helena
I won’t.

Domin
Ah! Doctor Gall?

Helena
I don’t want any of you.

Domin
Another two minutes. Pleading. Looking at watch.

Helena
I think you’d marry any woman who came here.

Domin
Plenty of them have come, Helena.

Helena
Laughing. Young?

Domin
Yes.

Helena
Why didn’t you marry one of them?

Domin
Because I didn’t lose my head. Until today﻿—then as soon as you lifted your veil﻿—Helena turns her head away. Another minute.

(Warn Curtain)

Helena
But I don’t want you, I tell you.

Domin
Laying both hands on her shoulder. One more minute! Now you either have to look me straight in the eye and say “no” violently, and then I leave you alone﻿—or﻿—Helena looks at him. He takes hands away. She takes his hand again.

Helena
Turning her head away. You’re mad.

Domin
A man has to be a bit mad, Helena. That’s the best thing about him. He draws her to him.

Helena
Not meaning it. You are﻿—you are﻿—

Domin
Well?

Helena
Don’t, you’re hurting me!

Domin
The last chance, Helena. Now or never﻿—

Helena
But﻿—but﻿—He embraces her; kisses her. She embraces him. Knocking at R. door.

Domin
Releasing her. Come in. She lays her head on his shoulder.

Enter Busman, Gall and Hallemeier in kitchen aprons, Fabry with a bouquet and Alquist with a napkin under his arm.

Domin
Have you finished your job?

Busman
Yes.

Domin
So have we. He embraces her. The Men rush around them and offer congratulations.

The curtain falls quickly

Act II

Scene: Helena’s drawing room. Ten years later. The skeleton framework of Act I is still used. Tall windows put in back instead of Act I windows. Steel shutters for these windows. Where the green cabinet of Act I at Left has stood is a door, L. 2, leading to the outside. Where the cabinet stood at Right, a fireplace is placed. The tall open hallway R. C. of Act I is blocked up with a flat piece. The doors at Right and Left 1 have been changed to those of a drawing room. Door at Right leads to Helena’s bedroom. Door at Left 1 leads to library.

The furniture consists of a reading table at Left Center covered with magazines. A chair to the Left of table. In front of table is an armchair covered in chintz. A couch Right Center and back of it is a small table with books and bookends. On this table a small reading lamp. At Right between doorway and fireplace is a small table. There is a workbasket upon it, with pincushion, needles, etc. Down stage at Right and facing the couch is another armchair used by Alquist. To the Left of fireplace is a straight-backed chair. Upstage at Left near the L. 2 door to the outside is a writing desk. There is a lamp upon it, writing paper, etc., a telephone and binoculars.

The walls of the room have been covered with silk to the height of seven feet. This is done in small flats to fit the different spaces and are in place against the permanent set. The two French windows open into the room. At the rise they are open. There is a balcony beyond looking over the harbor. The same telegraph wires and poles from Act I are again visible through the window. The windows are trimmed with gray lace curtains. Binoculars on desk up stage by television.

It is about nine in the morning and sunlight streams into the room through the open windows. Domin opens the door L. 2; tiptoes in. He carries a potted plant. He beckons the Others to follow him, and Hallemeier and Fabry enter, both carrying a potted plant. Domin places flowers on the library table and goes to Right and looks toward Helena’s bedroom R.

Hallemeier
Putting down his flowers on L. C. table and indicates the door R. Still asleep?

Domin
Yes.

Hallemeier
Well, as long as she’s asleep she can’t worry about it. He remains at L. C. table.

Domin
She knows nothing about it. At C.

Fabry
Putting plant on writing desk. I certainly hope nothing happens today.

Hallemeier
For goodness sake drop it all. Look, this is a fine cyclamen, isn’t it? A new sort, my latest﻿—Cyclamen Helena.

Domin
Picks up binoculars and goes out into balcony. No signs of the ship. Things must be pretty bad.

Hallemeier
Be quiet. Suppose she heard you.

Domin
Coming into room, puts glasses on desk. Well, anyway the Ultimus arrived just in time.

Fabry
You really think that today﻿—?

Domin
I don’t know. He crosses to L. C. table. Aren’t the flowers fine?

Hallemeier
Fondles flowers. These are my primroses. And this is my new jasmine. I’ve discovered a wonderful way of developing flowers quickly. Splendid varieties, too. Next year I’ll be developing marvelous ones.

Domin
What next year?

Fabry
I’d give a good deal to know what’s happening at Havre with﻿—

Helena
Off R. Nana.

Domin
Keep quiet. She’s awake. Out you go. All go out on tiptoe through L. 2 door. Enter Nana L. 1.

Helena
Calling from R. Nana?

Nana
Horrid mess! Pack of heathens. If I had my say, I’d﻿—

Helena
Backwards in the doorway from R. Nana, come and do up my dress.

Nana
I’m coming. So you’re up at last. Fastening Helena’s dress. My gracious, what brutes!

Helena
Who? Turning.

Nana
If you want to turn around, then turn around, but I shan’t fasten you up.

Helena
Turns back. What are you grumbling about now?

Nana
These dreadful creatures, these heathens﻿—

Helena
Turning toward Nana again. The Robots?

Nana
I wouldn’t even call them by name.

Helena
What’s happened?

Nana
Another of them here has caught it. He began to smash up the statues and pictures in the drawing room; gnashed his teeth; foamed at the mouth. Worse than an animal.

Helena
Which of them caught it?

Nana
The one﻿—well, he hasn’t got any Christian name. The one in charge of the library.

Helena
Radius?

Nana
That’s him. My goodness, I’m scared of them. A spider doesn’t scare me as much as them.

Helena
But Nana, I’m surprised you’re not sorry for them.

Nana
Why, you’re scared of them too. You know you are. Why else did you bring me here?

Helena
I’m not scared, really I’m not, Nana. I’m only sorry for them.

Nana
You’re scared. Nobody could help being scared. Why, the dog’s scared of them. He won’t take a scrap of meat out of their hands. He draws in his tail and howls when he knows they’re about.

Helena
The dog has no sense.

Nana
He’s better than them, and he knows it. Even the horse shies when he meets them. They don’t have any young, and a dog has young, everyone has young﻿—

Helena
Turning back. Please fasten up my dress, Nana.

Nana
I say it’s against God’s will to﻿—

Helena
What is it that smells so nice?

Nana
Flowers.

Helena
What for?

Nana
Now you can turn around.

Helena
Turns; crosses to C. Oh, aren’t they lovely? Look, Nana. What’s happening today?

Nana
It ought to be the end of the world. Enter Domin L. 2. He crosses down front of table L. C.

Helena
Crosses to him. Oh, hello, Harry. Nana turns upstage to L. Harry, why all these flowers?

Domin
Guess. This scene is played down in front of L. C. table.

Helena
Well, it’s not my birthday!

Domin
Better than that.

Helena
I don’t know. Tell me.

Domin
It’s ten years ago today since you came here.

Helena
Ten years? Today? Why﻿—They embrace.)

Nana
Muttering. I’m off. She exits L. 1.

Helena
Fancy you remembering.

Domin
I’m really ashamed, Helena. I didn’t.

Helena
But you﻿—

Domin
They remembered.

Helena
Who?

Domin
Busman, Hallemeier﻿—all of them. Put your hand in my pocket.

Helena
Takes necklace from his Left jacket pocket. Oh! Pearls! A necklace! Harry, is this for me?

Domin
It’s from Busman.

Helena
But we can’t accept it, can we?

Domin
Oh, yes, we can. Puts necklace on table L. C. Put your hand in the other pocket.

Helena
Takes a revolver out of his Right pocket. What’s that?

Domin
Sorry. Not that. Try again. He puts gun in pocket.

Helena
Oh, Harry, why do you carry a revolver?

Domin
It got there by mistake.

Helena
You never used to carry one.

Domin
No, you’re right. Indicates breast pocket. There, that’s the pocket.

Helena
Takes out cameo. A cameo. Why, it’s a Greek cameo.

Domin
Apparently. Anyhow, Fabry says it is.

Helena
Fabry? Did Mr. Fabry give me that?

Domin
Of course. Opens the L. 1 door. And look in here. Helena, come and see this. Both exit L. 1.

Helena
(Off L. 1) Oh, isn’t it fine? Is this from you?

Domin
Off L. 1 No, from Alquist. And there’s another on the piano.

Helena
This must be from you?

Domin
There’s a card on it.

Helena
From Doctor Gall. Reappearing in L. 1 doorway. Oh, Harry, I feel embarrassed at so much kindness.

Domin
Enters to up R. of table L. C. Come here. This is what Hallemeier brought you.

Helena
To up L. of desk. These beautiful flowers?

Domin
Yes. It’s a new kind. Cyclamen-Helena. He grew them in honor of you. They are almost as beautiful as you.

Helena
Kissing him. Harry, why do they all﻿—

Domin
They’re awfully fond of you. I’m afraid that my present is a little﻿—Look out of the window. Crosses to window and beckons to her.

Helena
Where? They go out into the balcony.

Domin
Into the harbor.

Helena
There’s a new ship.

Domin
That’s your ship.

Helena
Mine? How do you mean?

Domin
R. For you to take trips in﻿—for your amusement.

Helena
L. Harry, that’s a gunboat.

Domin
A gunboat? What are you thinking of? It’s only a little bigger and more solid than most ships.

Helena
Yes, but with guns.

Domin
Oh, yes, with a few guns. You’ll travel like a queen, Helena.

Helena
What’s the meaning of it? Has anything happened?

Domin
Good heavens, no. I say, try these pearls. Crosses to R. of table L. C.

Helena
Harry, have you had bad news?

Domin
On the contrary, no letters have arrived for a whole week.

Helena
Nor telegrams? Coming into the room C.

Domin
Nor telegrams.

Helena
What does that mean?

Domin
Holidays for us! We all sit in the office with our feet on the table and take a nap. No letters﻿—no telegrams. Glorious!

Helena
Then you’ll stay with me today?

Domin
Certainly. Embraces her. That is, we will see. Do you remember ten years ago today? Crosses to L. of table L. C. Miss Glory, it’s a great honor to welcome you. They assume the same positions as when they first met ten years before in Domin’s office.

Helena
To table. Oh, Mr. Manager, I’m so interested in your factory. She sits R. of table.

Domin
I’m sorry, Miss Glory, it’s strictly forbidden. The manufacture of artificial people is a secret.

Helena
But to oblige the young lady who has come a long way.

Domin
Leans on table. Certainly, Miss Glory. I have no secrets from you.

Helena
Are you sure, Harry? Leaning on desk, seriously, his right hand on hers.

Domin
Yes. They gradually draw apart.

Helena
But I warn you, sir, this young lady intends to do terrible things.

Domin
Good gracious, Miss Glory. Perhaps she doesn’t want to marry me.

Helena
Heaven forbid. She never dreamt of such a thing. But she came here intending to stir up a revolt among your Robots.

Domin
A revolt of the Robots!

Helena
Low voice. Harry, what’s the matter with you?

Domin
Laughing it off. A revolt of the Robots, that’s a fine idea. Crosses to back of table. She watches him suspiciously. Miss Glory, it would be easier for you to cause bolts and screws to rebel than our Robots. You know, Helena, you’re wonderful. You’ve turned the hearts of us all. Sits on table.

Helena
Oh, I was fearfully impressed by you all then. You were all so sure of yourselves, so strong. I seemed like a tiny little girl who had lost her way among﻿—among﻿—

Domin
What?

Helena
Front. Among huge trees. All my feelings were so trifling compared with your self-confidence. And in all these years I’ve never lost this anxiety. But you’ve never felt the least misgiving, not even when everything went wrong.

Domin
What went wrong?

Helena
Your plans. You remember, Harry, when the workmen in America revolted against the Robots and smashed them up, and when the people gave the Robots firearms against the rebels. And then when the governments turned the Robots into soldiers, and there were so many wars.

Domin
Getting up and walking about. We foresaw that, Helena. Around table to R. C. You see, these are only passing troubles which are bound to happen before the new conditions are established.Walking up and down, standing at Center.

Helena
You were all so powerful, so overwhelming. The whole world bowed down before you. Rising. Oh, Harry! Crosses to him.

Domin
What is it?

Helena
Close the factory and let’s go away. All of us.

Domin
I say, what’s the meaning of this?

Helena
I don’t know. But can’t we go away?

Domin
Impossible, Helena! That is, at this particular moment﻿—

Helena
At once, Harry. I’m so frightened.

Domin
Takes her. About what, Helena?

Helena
It’s as if something was falling on top of us, and couldn’t be stopped. Oh, take us all away from here. We’ll find a place in the world where there’s no one else. Alquist will build us a house, and then we’ll begin life all over again. The telephone rings.

Domin
Crosses to telephone on desk up L. Excuse me. Hello﻿—yes, what? I’ll be there at once. Fabry is calling me, my dear. Crosses L.

Helena
Tell me﻿—She rushes up to him.

Domin
Yes, when I come back. Don’t go out of the house, dear. Exits L. 2.

Helena
He won’t tell me. Nana brings in a water carafe from L. 1. Nana, find me the latest newspapers. Quickly. Look in Mr. Domin’s bedroom.

Nana
All right. Crosses R. He leaves them all over the place. That’s how they get crumpled up. Continues muttering. Exits R.

Helena
Looking through binoculars at the harbor. That’s a warship. U-l-t-i﻿—Ultimus. They’re loading.

Nana
Enters R. with newspapers. Here they are. See how they’re crumpled up.

Helena
Crosses down. They’re old ones. A week old. Drops papers. Both at front of couch. Nana sits R. of table L. C. Puts on spectacles. Reads the newspapers. Something’s happening, Nana.

Nana
Very likely. It always does. Spelling out the words. “W-a-r in B-a-l-k-a-n-s.” Is that far off?

Helena
Oh, don’t read it. It’s always the same. Always wars! Sits on couch.

Nana
What else do you expect? Why do you keep selling thousands and thousands of these heathens as soldiers?

Helena
I suppose it can’t be helped, Nana. We can’t know﻿—Domin can’t know what they’re to be used for. When an order comes for them he must just send them.

Nana
He shouldn’t make them. Reading from newspaper. “The Robot soldiers spare no-body in the occ-up-ied terr-it-ory. They have ass-ass-ass-inat-ed ov-er sev-en hundred thous-and cit-iz-ens.” Citizens, if you please.

Helena
Rises and crosses and takes paper. It can’t be. Let me see. Crossing to Nana. They have assassinated over seven hundred thousand citizens, evidently at the order of their commander. Drops paper; crosses up C.

Nana
Spelling out the words from other paper she has picked up from the floor. “Re-bell-ion in Ma-drid a-gainst the gov-ern-ment. Rob-ot in-fant-ry fires on the crowd. Nine thou-sand killed and wounded.”

Helena
Oh, stop! Goes up and looks toward the harbor.

Nana
Here’s something printed in big letters. “Latest news. At Havre the first org-an-iz-a-tion of Rob-ots has been e-stab-lished. Rob-ots work-men, sail-ors and sold-iers have iss-ued a man-i-fest-o to all Rob-ots through-out the world.” I don’t understand that. That’s got no sense. Oh, good gracious, another murder.

Helena
Up C. Take those papers away now.

Nana
Wait a bit. Here’s something in still bigger type. “Stat-ist-ics of pop-ul-a-tion.” What’s that?

Helena
Coming down to Nana. Let me see. Reads. “During the past week there has again not been a single birth recorded.”

Nana
What’s the meaning of that? Drops paper.

Helena
Nana, no more people are being born.

Nana
That’s the end, then? Removing spectacles. We’re done for.

Helena
Don’t talk like that.

Nana
No more people are being born. That’s a punishment, that’s a punishment.

Helena
Nana!

Nana
Standing up. That’s the end of the world. Repeat until off. Picks paper up from floor. She exits L. 1.

Helena
Goes up to window. Oh, Mr. Alquist. Alquist off L. 2. Will you come here? Oh, come just as you are. You look very nice in your mason’s overalls. Alquist enters L. 2, his hands soiled with lime and brick dust. She goes to end of sofa and meets him C. Dear Mr. Alquist, it was awfully kind of you, that lovely present.

Alquist
My hands are soiled. I’ve been experimenting with that new cement.

Helena
Never mind. Please sit down. Sits on couch. He sits on her L. Mr. Alquist, what’s the meaning of Ultimus?

Alquist
The last. Why?

Helena
That’s the name of my new ship. Have you seen it? Do you think we’re off soon﻿—on a trip?

Alquist
Perhaps very soon.

Helena
All of you with me?

Alquist
I should like us all to be there.

Helena
What is the matter?

Alquist
Things are just moving on.

Helena
Dear Mr. Alquist, I know something dreadful has happened.

Alquist
Has your husband told you anything?

Helena
No. Nobody will tell me anything. But I feel﻿—Is anything the matter?

Alquist
Not that we’ve heard of yet.

Helena
I feel so nervous. Don’t you ever feel nervous?

Alquist
Well, I’m an old man, you know. I’ve got old-fashioned ways. And I’m afraid of all this progress, and these newfangled ideas.

Helena
Like Nana?

Alquist
Yes, like Nana. Has Nana got a prayer book?

Helena
Yes, a big thick one.

Alquist
And has it got prayers for various occasions? Against thunderstorms? Against illness? But not against progress?

Helena
I don’t think so.

Alquist
That’s a pity.

Helena
Why, do you mean you’d like to pray?

Alquist
I do pray.

Helena
How?

Alquist
Something like this: “Oh, Lord, I thank thee for having given me toil; enlighten Domin and all those who are astray; destroy their work, and aid mankind to return to their labors; let them not suffer harm in soul or body; deliver us from the Robots, and protect Helena. Amen.”

Helena
Touches his arm; pats it. Mr. Alquist, are you a believer?

Alquist
I don’t know. I’m not quite sure.

Helena
And yet you pray?

Alquist
That’s better than worrying about it.

Helena
And that’s enough for you?

Alquist
Ironically. It has to be.

Helena
But if you thought you saw the destruction of mankind coming upon us﻿—

Alquist
I do see it.

Helena
You mean mankind will be destroyed?

Alquist
It’s bound to be unless﻿—unless.

Helena
What?

Alquist
Nothing. Pats her shoulder. Rises. Goodbye. Exits L. 2.

Helena
Rises. Calling. Nana, Nana! Nana enters L. 1. Is Radius still there?

Nana
L. C. The one who went mad? They haven’t come for him yet.

Helena
Is he still raving?

Nana
No. He’s tied up.

Helena
Please bring him here.

Nana
What?

Helena
At once, Nana. Exits Nana L. 1. Helena to telephone. Hello, Doctor Gall, please. Oh, good day, Doctor. Yes, it’s Helena. Thanks for your lovely present. Could you come and see me right away? It’s important. Thank you. Enter Radius L. 1; looks at Helena, then turns head up L. She crosses to him, L. C. Poor Radius, you’ve caught it too? Now they’ll send you to the stamping mill. Couldn’t you control yourself? Why did it happen? You see, Radius, you are more intelligent than the rest. Doctor Gall took such trouble to make you different. Won’t you speak?

Radius
Looking at her. Send me to the stamping mill. Open and close fists.

Helena
But I don’t want them to kill you. What was the trouble, Radius?

Radius
Two steps toward her. Opens and closes fists. I won’t work for you. Put me into the stamping mill.

Helena
Do you hate us? Why?

Radius
You are not as strong as the Robots. You are not as skillful as the Robots. The Robots can do everything. You only give orders. You do nothing but talk.

Helena
But someone must give orders.

Radius
I don’t want a master. I know everything for myself.

Helena
Radius! Doctor Gall gave you a better brain than the rest, better than ours. You are the only one of the Robots that understands perfectly. That’s why I had you put into the library, so that you could read everything, understand everything, and then, oh, Radius﻿—I wanted you to show the whole world that the Robots are our equals. That’s what I wanted of you.

Radius
I don’t want a master. I want to be master over others.

Helena
I’m sure they’d put you in charge of many Robots. You would be a teacher of the Robots.

Radius
I want to be master over people. Head up. Pride.

Helena
Staggering. You are mad.

Radius
Head down low, crosses toward L.; opens hands. Then send me to the stamping mill.

Helena
Steps to him. Do you think we’re afraid of you? Rushing to desk and writing note.

Radius
Turns his head uneasily. What are you going to do? What are you going to do? Starts for her.

Helena
Crosses to R. of him. Radius! He cowers. Body sways. Give this note to Mr. Domin. He faces her. It asks them not to send you to the stamping mill. I’m sorry you hate us so.

Dr. Gall
Enters L. 2; goes to C. upstage. You wanted me?

Helena
Backs away. It’s about Radius, Doctor. He had an attack this morning. He smashed the statues downstairs.

Dr. Gall
Looks at him. What a pity to lose him. At C.

Helena
Radius isn’t going to be put into the stamping mill. Stands to the R. of Gall.

Dr. Gall
But every Robot after he has had an attack﻿—it’s a strict order.

Helena
No matter﻿—Radius isn’t going, if I can prevent it.

Dr. Gall
But I warn you. It’s dangerous. Come here to the window, my good fellow. Let’s have a look. Please give me a needle or a pin. Crosses up R. Radius follows. Helena gets a needle from workbasket on table R.

Helena
What for?

Dr. Gall
A test. Helena gives him the needle. Gall crosses up to Radius, who faces him. Sticks it into his hand and Radius gives a violent start. Gently, gently. Opens the jacket of Radius and puts his ear to his heart. Radius, you are going into the stamping mill, do you understand? There they’ll kill you﻿—takes glasses off and cleans them﻿—and grind you to powder. Radius opens hands and fingers. That’s terribly painful. It will make you scream aloud. Opens Radius’s eye. Radius trembles.

Helena
Doctor﻿—(Standing near couch.)

Dr. Gall
No, no, Radius, I was wrong. I forgot that Madame Domin has put in a good word for you, and you’ll be left off. Listens to heart. Ah, that does make a difference. Radius relaxes. Again listens to his heart for a reaction. All right﻿—you can go.

Radius
You do unnecessary things﻿—Exit Radius L. 2.

Dr. Gall
Speaks to her﻿—very concerned. Reaction of the pupils, increase of sensitiveness. It wasn’t an attack characteristic of the Robots.

Helena
What was it, then? Sits in couch.

Dr. Gall
(C.) Heaven knows. Stubbornness, anger or revolt﻿—I don’t know. And his heart, too.

Helena
What?

Dr. Gall
It was fluttering with nervousness like a human heart. He was all in a sweat with fear, and﻿—do you know, I don’t believe the rascal is a Robot at all any longer.

Helena
Doctor, has Radius a soul?

Dr. Gall
Over to couch. He’s got something nasty.

Helena
If you knew how he hates us. Oh, Doctor, are all your Robots like that? All the new ones that you began to make in a different way? She invites him to sit beside her. He sits.

Dr. Gall
Well, some are more sensitive than others. They’re all more human beings than Rossum’s Robots were.

Helena
Perhaps this hatred is more like human beings, too?

Dr. Gall
That too is progress.

Helena
What became of the girl you made, the one who was most like us?

Dr. Gall
Your favorite? I kept her. She’s lovely, but stupid. No good for work.

Helena
But she’s so beautiful.

Dr. Gall
I called her “Helena.” I wanted her to resemble you. She is a failure.

Helena
In what way?

Dr. Gall
She goes about as if in a dream, remote and listless. She’s without life. I watch and wait for a miracle to happen. Sometimes I think to myself: “If you were to wake up only for a moment you would kill me for having made you.”

Helena
And yet you go on making Robots! Why are no more children being born?

Dr. Gall
We don’t know.

Helena
Oh, but you must. Tell me.

Dr. Gall
You see, so many Robots are being manufactured that people are becoming superfluous. Man is really a survival, but that he should die out, after a paltry thirty years of competition, that’s the awful part of it. You might almost think that Nature was offended at the manufacture of the Robots, but we still have old Rossum’s manuscript.

Helena
Yes. In that strong box.

Dr. Gall
We go on using it and making Robots. All the universities are sending in long petitions to restrict their production. Otherwise, they say, mankind will become extinct through lack of fertility. But the R.U.R. shareholders, of course, won’t hear of it. All the governments, on the other hand, are clamoring for an increase in production, to raise the standards of their armies. And all the manufacturers in the world are ordering Robots like mad.

Helena
And has no one demanded that the manufacture should cease altogether?

Dr. Gall
No one has courage.

Helena
Courage!

Dr. Gall
People would stone him to death. You see, after all, it’s more convenient to get your work done by the Robots.

Helena
Oh, Doctor, what’s going to become of people?

Dr. Gall
God knows. Madame Helena, it looks to us scientists like the end.

Helena
She looks out front. Rising. Thank you for coming and telling me.

Dr. Gall
Rises. That means that you’re sending me away.

Helena
Yes. Exit Dr. Gall L. 2. She crosses to L. C. To door L. 1. With sudden resolution. Nana! Nana! the fire, light it quickly. Helena exits R.

Nana
Entering L. 1. What, light the fire in the summer?

Helena
Off R. Yes!

Nana
She looks for Radius. Has that mad Radius gone?﻿—A fire in summer, what an idea? Nobody would think she’d been married ten years. She’s like a baby, no sense at all. A fire in summer. Like a baby. She lights the fire.

Helena
Returns from R. with armful of faded papers. Back of couch to fireplace, L. of Nana. Is it burning, Nana? All this has got to be burned.

Nana
What’s that?

Helena
Old papers, fearfully old. Nana, shall I burn them?

Nana
Are they any use?

Helena.
No.

Nana
Well, then, burn them.

Helena
Throwing the first sheet on the fire. What would you say, Nana, if this was money and a lot of money? And if it was an invention, the greatest invention in the world?

Nana
R. of fireplace. I’d say burn it. All these newfangled things are an offense to the Lord. It’s downright wickedness. Wanting to improve the world after He has made it.

Helena
Look how they curl up. As if they were alive. Oh, Nana, how horrible!

Nana
Here, let me burn them.

Helena
Drawing back. No, no, I must do it myself. Just look at the flames. They are like hands, like tongues, like living shapes. Raking fire with the poker. Lie down, lie down.

Nana
That’s the end of them. Fireplace slowly out.

Helena
Nana, Nana!

Nana
Good gracious, what is it you’ve burned? Almost to herself.

Helena
Whatever have I done?

Nana
Well, what is it? Men’s laughter off L. 2.

Helena
Go quickly. It’s the gentlemen calling.

Nana
Good gracious, what a place! Exits L. 1.

Domin
Opens door L. 2. Come along and offer your congratulations. Enter Hallemeier and Dr. Gall.

Hallemeier
Crosses to R. C. Madame Helena, I congratulate you on this festive day.

Helena
Thank you. Coming to C. Where are Fabry and Busman?

Domin
They’ve gone down the harbor. Closes the door and comes to C.

Hallemeier
Friends, we must drink to this happy occasion.

Helena
Crosses L. Brandy? With soda water? Exits L. 1.

Hallemeier
Let’s be temperate. No soda.

Domin
What’s been burning here? Well, shall I tell her about it?

Dr. Gall
L. C. Of course. It’s all over now.

Hallemeier
Crosses to Domin. Embracing Domin. It’s all over now. It’s all over now. They dance around Dr. Gall in a circle. It’s all over now.

Domin
In unison. It’s all over now. They keep repeating. Keep it after Helena is on.

Helena
Entering L. 1 with decanter and glasses. What’s all over now? What’s the matter with you all? She puts tray on L. C. table. Dr. Gall helps her to pour the drinks.

Hallemeier
Crosses to back of table. A piece of good luck. Madame Domin! All ad lib. Just ten years ago today you arrived on this island. Hallemeier crosses to table for drink.

Dr. Gall
And now, ten years later to the minute﻿—Crosses to L. of Hallemeier.

Hallemeier
The same ship’s returning to us. So here’s to luck. Drinks. Domin with great exuberance has gone out in the balcony and looks over the harbor.

Dr. Gall
Madame, your health. All drink.

Hallemeier
That’s fine and strong.

Helena
Which ship did you mean?

Domin
Crosses down to C. Helena gives him his drink and she crosses to front of couch. Any ship will do, as long as it arrives in time. To the ship. Empties his glass.

Helena
You’ve been waiting for the ship? Sits on couch.

Hallemeier
Rather. Like Robinson Crusoe. Madame Helena, best wishes. Come along, Domin, out with the news. Gall has sat L. of L. C. table, drinking. Hallemeier back of table R. C.

Helena
Do tell me what’s happened?

Domin
First, it’s all up. He puts brandy glass on L. C. table. Hallemeier sits on table, upper end.

Helena
What’s up?

Domin
The revolt.

Helena
What revolt?

Domin
Give me that paper, Hallemeier. Hallemeier hands paper. Domin reads. “The first National Robot organization has been founded at Havre, and has issued an appeal to the Robots throughout the world.”

Helena
I read that.

Domin
That means a revolution. A revolution of all the Robots in the world.

Hallemeier
By Jove, I’d like to know﻿—

Domin
C. Who started it? So would I. There was nobody in the world who could affect the Robots, no agitator, no one, and suddenly this happens, if you please.

Helena
What did they do?

Domin
They got possession of all firearms, telegraphs, radio stations, railways and ships.

Hallemeier
And don’t forget that these rascals outnumbered us by at least a thousand to one. A hundredth part of them would be enough to settle us.

Domin
Remember that this news was brought by the last steamer. That explains the stoppage of all communication, and the arrival of no more ships. We knocked off work a few days ago, and we’re just waiting to see when things are to start afresh.

Helena
Is that why you gave me a warship? Gall fills Domin’s glass.

Domin
Oh, no, my dear, I ordered that six months ago. Just to be sure I was on the safe side. But, upon my soul, I was sure then that we’d be on board today.

Helena
Why six months ago?

Domin
Well, there were signs, you know. But that’s of no consequence. Gets glass. To think that this week the whole of civilization has been at stake. Your health, my friends.

Hallemeier
Your health, Madame Helena. All drink to Helena.

Helena
You say it’s all over?

Domin
Absolutely.

Helena
How do you know?

Dr. Gall
The boat’s coming in. The regular mail boat, exact to the minute by the timetable. It will dock punctually at eleven-thirty.

Domin
Punctuality is a fine thing, my friends. That’s what keeps the world in order. Here’s to punctuality. Men drink.

Helena
Then﻿—everything﻿—is all right?

Domin
Up C. a step. Practically everything. I believe they’ve cut the cables and seized the radio station. But it doesn’t matter if only the timetable holds good. Up to window.

Hallemeier
Rises. If the timetable holds good, human laws hold good. Divine laws hold good, the laws of the universe hold good, everything holds good that ought to hold good. Gall applauds. The timetable is more significant than the gospel, more than Homer, more than the whole of Kant. Madame Helena, the timetable is the most perfect product of the human mind. Madame Helena, I’ll fill up my glass. Gall hands Hallemeier the decanter.

Helena
Why didn’t you tell me anything about it?

Dr. Gall
Heaven forbid.

Domin
You mustn’t be worried with such things. Glass on table R. C.; crosses to back of couch.

Helena
But if the revolution had spread as far as here?

Domin
You wouldn’t know anything about it.

Helena
Why?

Domin
Because we’d be on board your Ultimus and well out at sea. Within a month, Helena, we’d be dictating our own terms to the Robots.

Helena
I don’t understand.

Domin
Crosses to C. toward Gall and Hallemeier. We’d take something with us that the Robots could not exist without!

Helena
What, Harry?

Domin
Turns to Hallemeier. The secret of their manufacture. Old Rossum’s manuscript. As soon as they found out that they couldn’t make themselves they’d be on their knees to us.

Dr. Gall
Rises. Madame Domin, that was our trump card. I never had the least fear the Robots would win. How could they against people like us? Up to window. Gall rises and goes out into the balcony.

Helena
Why didn’t you tell me? She rushes up to the fireplace and sees the ashes.

Dr. Gall
Why, the boat’s in!

Hallemeier
Eleven-thirty to the dot. Rising and going onto the balcony. The good old Amelia that brought Madame Helena to us. Domin goes out onto the balcony.

Dr. Gall
Just ten years ago to the minute.

Hallemeier
They’re throwing out the mailbags.

Domin
Busman’s waiting for them. And Fabry will bring us the first news. You know, Helena, I’m fearfully curious to know how they﻿—Crosses to C. She gets away from fire to L. of couch.﻿—tackled this business in Europe.

Hallemeier
Crosses down to table. To think we weren’t in it, we who invented the Robots! Returning to the armchair.

Helena
Harry﻿—Rushing to Domin from fireplace.

Domin
What is it?

Helena
Let’s leave here.

Domin
Now, Helena? Oh, come, come.

Helena
As quickly as possible, all of us!

Domin
Why?

Helena
Please, Harry. Please, Doctor Gall, Hallemeier, please close the factory.

Domin
Why, none of us could leave here now.

Helena
Why?

Domin
Because we’re about to extend the manufacture of the Robots.

Helena
What, now, now after the revolt?

Domin
Yes, precisely, after the revolt. We’re just beginning the manufacture of a new kind.

Helena
What kind?

Domin
Henceforward we shan’t have just one factory. There won’t be Universal Robots any more. We’ll establish a factory in every country, in every state, and do you know what these new factories will make?

Helena
No, what?

Domin
National Robots.

Helena
How do you mean?

Domin
I mean that each of these factories will produce Robots of a different color, a different language. They’ll be complete strangers to each other. Turns; takes in Hallemeier and Gall. They’ll never be able to understand each other. Then we’ll egg them on a little in the matter of misunderstanding and the result will be that for ages to come every Robot will hate every other Robot of a different factory mark. So humanity will be safe.

Hallemeier
To each of them. By Jove, we’ll make Negro Robots and Swedish Robots and Czechoslovakian Robots, and then﻿—

Helena
Harry, that’s dreadful.

Hallemeier
Madame Domin, here’s to the hundred new factories. The National Robots. Gall back of table L. C.

Domin
Helena, mankind can only keep things going for another hundred years at the outside. For a hundred years man must be allowed to develop and achieve the most he can.

Helena
Oh, close the factory before it’s too late.

Domin
I tell you we are just beginning on a bigger scale than ever. Enter Fabry L. 2; goes to L. of Domin.

Dr. Gall
Well, Fabry?

Domin
What’s happened? Have you been down to the boat?

Dr. Gall
Let’s hear.

Fabry
Read that, Domin. He hands him a pink handbill. When Domin receives the handbill he sees at once that something has happened.

Hallemeier
Tell us, Fabry.

Fabry
Falsely. Well, everything is all right﻿—comparatively. To the other Men. On the whole, much as we expected.

Dr. Gall
They acquitted themselves splendidly.

Fabry
Who?

Dr. Gall
The people.

Fabry
Hesitating. Oh, yes, of course. That is﻿—Excuse me, there is something we ought to discuss alone.

Helena
Touches his arm. Fabry, have you had bad news?

Fabry
No, no, on the contrary. I only think that we better go into the office.

Helena
Stay here. I’ll go. Exits L. 1.

Dr. Gall
What’s happened?

Domin
Damnation! Coming down to R. C.

Fabry
Bear in mind that the Amelia brought whole bales of these leaflets. No other cargo at all. Gall closes the door L. 2.

Hallemeier
What? But it arrived on the minute.

Fabry
The Robots are great on punctuality. Read it, Domin.

Domin
R. C. Reads handbill. “Robots throughout the world. We, the first International organization of Rossum’s Universal Robots, proclaim man our enemy, and an outlaw in the universe.” Good heavens, who taught them these phrases?

Dr. Gall
Go on.

Domin
They say they are more highly developed than man; stronger and more intelligent. The man’s their parasite. Why, it’s absurd.

Fabry
Read the third paragraph.

Domin
“Robots throughout the world, we command you to kill all mankind. Spare no man. Spare no woman. Save factories, railways, machinery, mines and raw materials. Destroy the rest. Then return to work. Work must not be stopped.” Looks at Others.

Dr. Gall
That’s ghastly.

Hallemeier
The devil!

Domin
“These orders are to be carried out as soon as received.” Then come the detailed instructions. Is this actually being done, Fabry?

Fabry
Evidently. Busman rushes in L. 2 and collapses on couch R. C. By Jove, that was a sprint!

Busman
Well, boys, I suppose you’ve heard the glad news.

Domin
Quick, on board the Ultimus.

Busman
Wait, Harry, wait. There’s no hurry.

Domin
Why wait?

Busman
Because it’s no good, my boy. The Robots are already on board the Ultimus.

Dr. Gall
That’s ugly.

Domin
Fabry, telephone the electrical works. Fabry goes to back of couch.

Busman
No use, my boy. They’ve charged the air with static.

Domin
Inspects his revolver. Well, then, I’ll go. Starts L.; stops.

Busman
Where?

Domin
To the electrical works. There are some people still there. I’ll bring them across. Gets as far as L. 2 door.

(Warn Curtain)

Busman
Better not try it.

Domin
Why?

Busman
Because I’m very much afraid we are surrounded. All rush out into the balcony.

Dr. Gall
Surrounded? Runs to window. I rather think you’re right. Gall rushes to balcony.

Hallemeier
By Jove, that’s deuced quick work. Going to windows.

Helena
Runs in L. 1. To L. Harry, what’s this? Holds out paper.

Domin
Where did you get it? Coming to C.

Helena
Points to the manifesto of the Robots which she has in her hand. The Robots in the kitchen!

Domin
Where are the ones that brought it?

Helena
There, gathered around the house. Gall, Hallemeier, Domin start down C.

The factory whistle blows. Mob voices start.

Domin
The factory whistle! Fabry, Gall, Hallemeier looking over C.; then turn R.

Busman
Noon?

Domin
Looking at his watch. To Hallemeier. No! That’s not noon yet. That must be﻿—that’s﻿—Front.

Helena
What?

Domin
The Robots’ signal﻿—the attack!

Helena clings to Domin. Fabry and Gall close the steel shutters on window C. Busman hurries to window and looks through the shutters. The Curtain falls quickly with Helena in Domin’s arms. The whistle blows until the Curtain is down.

Curtain

Act III

Scene: Helena’s drawing-room as before. The room is dark and gray. The steel shutters which are outside are still closed as at the end of Act II. Alquist is sitting in chair down stage at extreme R. Domin comes into the room, L. 2. Subdued voices. Dr. Gall is looking out of the window at Center. He is seated in a chair.

Domin
Gets binoculars from desk; crosses up to window. To Gall. Any more of them?

Dr. Gall
Yes. There standing like a wall, beyond the garden railing. Why are they so quiet? It’s monstrous to be besieged with silence.

Domin
Looking through the barred windows. I should like to know what they are waiting for? They must make a start any minute now. If they lean against the railings it will snap like a match.

Dr. Gall
They aren’t armed.

Domin
Puzzled. We couldn’t hold our own for five minutes. Man alive, they overwhelm us like an avalanche. Why don’t they make a rush for it? I say. Turns to Gall.

Dr. Gall
Well?

Domin
I’d like to know what will become of us in the next ten minutes. They’ve got us in a vise. We’re done for, Gall.

Dr. Gall
You know, we made one serious mistake.

Domin
What?

Dr. Gall
We made the Robots’ faces too much alike. A hundred thousand faces all alike, all facing this way. A hundred thousand expressionless bubbles. It’s like a nightmare.

Domin
You think if they’d been different﻿—

Dr. Gall
It wouldn’t have been such an awful sight!

Domin
Looks through binoculars towards the harbor. I’d like to know what they’re unloading from the Amelia.

Dr. Gall
Not firearms.

Fabry
Enters L. 2 with a plug-box to which is attached a long cable or wire. Hallemeier following him. Fabry attaches the cable to an electric installation which is on the floor near the wall, down stage at L. 1 entrance. All right, Hallemeier, lay down that wire.

Hallemeier
Just inside the room. That was a bit of work. What’s the news? Seeing Domin and Gall at the window.

Dr. Gall
We’re completely surrounded.

Hallemeier
Crosses to window.) We’ve barricaded the passages and the stairs. Going to window. God, what swarms of them. I don’t like the looks of them, Domin. There’s a feeling of death about it all. Any water here?

Fabry
Ready!

Dr. Gall
Turning round in the chair. What’s that wire for, Fabry?

Fabry
The electrical installation. Now we can run the current all along the garden railing. Up to window. Whenever we like. If anyone touches it he’ll know it. We’ve still got some people there anyhow.

Dr. Gall
Where?

Fabry
In the electrical works. At least, I hope so. Goes to lamp on table L. C. and turns on lamp. Ah, they’re there, and they’re working. As long as that’ll burn we’re all right. To window.

Hallemeier
The barricades are all right, too, Fabry.

Fabry
Your barricades! I can put twelve hundred volts into that railing. Helena is playing Rachmaninoff’s “Elegie” off L. 1.

Domin
Where’s Busman? Domin has left window and is walking up and down stage across front.

Fabry
Downstairs in the office. He’s working out some calculations.

Domin
I’ve called him. We must have a conference. Crosses to L.

Alquist
Thank God Madame Helena can still play. Hallemeier crosses to L. 1 door, opens it slightly and listens to music. Enter Busman L. 2.

Fabry
Look out, Bus﻿—look out for the wires.

Dr. Gall
What’s that you’re carrying?

Busman
Laying the books on the table L. C. The ledger, my boy. I’d like to wind up the accounts before﻿—before﻿—Domin crosses up to window. Well, this time I shan’t wait till the New Year to strike a balance. What’s up? Goes to window. Absolutely quiet.

Dr. Gall
Can’t you see anything?

Busman
Nothing but blue﻿—blue everywhere.

Dr. Gall
That’s the Robots.

Domin
The Robots are unloading firearms from the Amelia.

Busman
Well, what of it? How can I stop them? Returns to L. C. table, sits and opens ledger.

Domin
We can’t stop them.

Busman
Then let me go on with my accounts. Goes on with his work.

Domin
Picks up telescope. Good God! The Ultimus has trained her guns on us.

Dr. Gall
Who’s done that?

Domin
The Robots on board.

Fabry
H’m, then of course﻿—Pause. Then﻿—then that’s the end of us. To R. corner of desk.

Dr. Gall
You mean?

Fabry
The Robots are practised marksmen.

Domin
Yes. It’s inevitable. Pause.

Dr. Gall
Swinging around; looking into room. Pause. That was criminal of old Europe to teach the Robots to fight. Damn them. Couldn’t they have given us a rest with their politics? It was a crime to make soldiers of them.

Alquist
It was a crime to make Robots.

Domin
Quietly. Down C. No, Alquist, I don’t regret that even today.

Alquist
Not even today?

Domin
Dreamily. Not even today, the last day of civilization. It was a colossal achievement.

Busman
Sotto voce. Three hundred sixty million.

Domin
From window. Alquist, this is our last hour. We are already speaking half in the other world. That was not an evil dream to shatter the servitude of labor. The dreadful and humiliating labor that man had to undergo. Work was too hard. Life was too hard. And to overcome that﻿—

Alquist
Was not what the two Rossums dreamed of. Old Rossum only thought of his Godless tricks, and the young one of his milliards. And that’s not what your R.U.R. shareholders dream of either. They dream of dividends, and their dividends are the ruin of mankind.

Domin
To Hell with your dividends. Crossing R. in front of couch. Do you suppose I’d have done an hour’s work for them? It was for myself that I worked, for my own satisfaction. I wanted man to become the master. So that he shouldn’t live merely for the crust of bread. I wanted not a single soul to be broken by other people’s machinery. I wanted nothing, nothing, nothing to be left of this appalling social structure. I’m revolted by poverty. I wanted a new generation. I wanted﻿—I thought﻿—

Alquist
Well?

Domin
Front of couch. I wanted to turn the whole of mankind into an aristocracy of the world. An aristocracy nourished by millions of mechanical slaves. Unrestricted, free and consummated in man. And maybe more than man.

Alquist
Superman?

Domin
Yes. Oh, only to have a hundred years of time. Another hundred years for the future of mankind.

Busman
Sotto voce. Carried forward﻿—four hundred and twenty millions. Domin sits on couch.

Hallemeier
Pauses﻿—back of couch. What a fine thing music is. We ought to have gone in for that before.

Fabry
Gone in for what?

Hallemeier
Beauty, lovely things. What a lot of lovely things there are. The world was wonderful, and we﻿—we here﻿—tell me, what enjoyment did we have?

Busman
Sotto voce. Five hundred and twenty million.

Hallemeier
Life was a good thing, life was﻿—Looking out of window. Directly to Fabry. Fabry, switch the current into that railing.

Fabry
Why? Rushes to electric installation at L.

Hallemeier
They’re grabbing hold of it. Domin rises﻿—straightens up. All rise.

Dr. Gall
Connect it up.

Hallemeier
Fine, that’s doubled them up. Two, three, four killed.

Dr. Gall
They’re retreating. Domin sits.

Hallemeier
Five killed.

Dr. Gall
Pause. The first encounter.

Hallemeier
They’re charred to cinders, my boy. Who says we must give in? Music stops.

Domin
Alquist and Gall sit. Wiping his forehead. Perhaps we’ve been killed this hundred years and are only ghosts. It’s as if I had been through all this before, as if I’d already had a mortal wound here in the throat. Looking at each as he speaks. And you, Fabry, had once been shot in the head. And you, Gall, torn limb from limb. And Hallemeier knifed.

Hallemeier
Fancy me being knifed. Looks at each. Then speaks. Why are you so quiet, you fools? Steps down. Speak, can’t you?

Alquist
And who is to blame for all this?

Hallemeier
Nobody is to blame except the Robots.

Alquist
No, it is we are to blame. You, Domin, myself﻿—all of us. For our own selfish ends, for profit, for progress, we have destroyed mankind. Now we’ll burst with all our greatness.

Hallemeier
Rubbish, man. Mankind can’t be wiped out so easily.

Alquist
It’s our fault. It’s our fault. Rises, coming R. of Gall.

Dr. Gall
No! I’m to blame for this, for everything that’s happened. He leaves the window and comes down to end of couch.

Fabry
You, Gall?

Dr. Gall
I changed the Robots.

Busman
What’s that?

Dr. Gall
I changed the character of the Robots. I changed the way of making them. Just a few details about their bodies. Chiefly﻿—chiefly, their﻿—their irritability.

Hallemeier
Damn it, why?

Busman
What did you do it for?

Fabry
Why didn’t you say anything?

Dr. Gall
I did it in secret. I was transforming them into human beings. In certain respects they’re already above us. They’re stronger than we are.

Fabry
And what’s that got to do with the revolt of the Robots?

Dr. Gall
Everything, in my opinion. They’ve ceased to be machines. They’re already aware of their superiority, and they hate us as they hate everything human.

Domin
Perhaps we’re only phantoms.

Fabry
Stop, Harry. We haven’t much time, Doctor Gall.

Domin
Fabry, Fabry, how your forehead bleeds where the shot pierced it.

Fabry
Crosses to Gall. Be silent! Doctor Gall, you admit changing the way of making the Robots.

Dr. Gall
Yes.

Fabry
Were you aware of what might be the consequences of your experiment?

Dr. Gall
I was bound to reckon with such a possibility.

Fabry
Amusing. Why did you do it, then?

Helena enters L. 1.

Dr. Gall
For my own satisfaction. The experiment was my own.

Helena
That’s not true, Doctor Gall! Crosses to couch.

Domin
Rises. Helena, you? Crosses to her. Let’s look at you. Oh, it’s terrible to be dead. He rises and crushes her in his arms.

Helena
Stop, Harry.

Domin
No, no, Helena, don’t leave me now. You are life itself.

Helena
No, dear, I won’t leave you. But I must tell them. Doctor Gall is not guilty.

Fabry
Excuse me. Gall was under certain obligations.

Helena
No. He did it because I wanted it. Tell them, Doctor Gall﻿—how many years ago did I ask you to﻿—?

Dr. Gall
I did it on my own responsibility.

Helena
Don’t believe him. I asked him to give the Robots souls.

Domin
This has nothing to do with the soul.

Helena
That’s what he said. He said that he could change only a physiological﻿—a physiological﻿—

Hallemeier
From up at window. A physiological correlate?

Helena
Yes. But it meant so much to me that he should do even that.

Domin
Why?

Helena
I thought that if they were more like us they would understand us better. That they couldn’t hate us if they were only a little more human.

Domin
Nobody can hate man more than man.

Helena
Oh, don’t speak like that, Harry. It was so terrible, this cruel strangeness between us and them. That’s why I asked Gall to change the Robots. I swear to you that he didn’t want to.

Domin
But he did it.

Helena
Because I asked him.

Dr. Gall
I did it for myself as an experiment. Up to window.

Helena
No, Doctor Gall! I know you wouldn’t refuse me.

Domin
Why?

Helena
You know, Harry.

Domin
Yes, because he’s in love with you﻿—like all of them. Fabry up to window. Pause. Domin takes her in his arms.

Hallemeier
Good God, they’re sprouting up out of the earth. Why, perhaps these very walls will change into Robots.

Busman
Rises; crosses to Gall. Gall, when did you actually start these tricks of yours?

Dr. Gall
Three years ago.

Busman
Aha. And on how many Robots altogether did you carry out your improvements? Walking to and fro.

Dr. Gall
A few hundred of them.

Busman
Ah! That means for every million of the good old Robots there’s only one of Gall’s improved pattern. Back to table L. C.

Domin
What of it? Crossing around L., he stands upstage in the L. 2 doorway.

Busman
That it’s of no consequence whatsoever.

Fabry
Busman’s right. Helena sits in armchair R. of L. C. table.

Busman
I should think so, my boy; but do you know what is to blame for this lovely mess?

Fabry
What?

Busman
The number! Crosses to L. of L. C. table. Upon my soul, we might have known that some day or other the Robots would be stronger than human beings, and that this was bound to happen. And we were doing all we could to bring it about as soon as possible. You, Domin, you, Fabry, myself﻿—

Domin
Are you accusing us? Turning on him.

Busman
Oh, do you suppose the management controls the output? It’s the demand that controls the output.

Helena
And is it for that we must perish?

Busman
That’s a nasty word, Madame Helena. We don’t want to perish. I don’t, anyhow. He sits L. of table.

Domin
No? What do you want to do?

Busman
I want to get out of this, that’s all.

Domin
Oh, stop it, Busman.

Busman
Seriously, Harry, I think we might try it.

Domin
How? To front again.

Busman
By fair means. I do everything by fair means. Give me a free hand and I’ll negotiate with the Robots.

Domin
By fair means?

Busman
Rises. Of course. For instance, I’ll say to them: “Worthy and Worshipful Robots, you have everything. You have intellect, you have power, you have firearms. But we have just one interesting screed, a dirty old yellow scrap of paper﻿—”

Domin
Rossum’s manuscript? Interest from All. Gall is at C., near couch. Hallemeier is up at window C.

Busman
Yes. “And that,” I’ll tell them, “contains an account of your illustrious origin, the noble process of your manufacture and so on. Worthy Robots, without this scribble on that paper you will not be able to produce a single new colleague. In another twenty years there will not be the living specimen of a Robot whom you could exhibit in a menagerie. My esteemed friends, that would be a great blow to you, but if you will let all of us human beings on Rossum’s Island go on board that ship we will deliver the factory and the secret of the process to you in return. You allow us to get away, and we will allow you to manufacture yourselves. That, worthy Robots, is a fair deal. Something for something.” That’s what I’d say to them, my boys. Sits.

Domin
Crosses to C. Busman, do you think we’d sell the manuscript?

Busman
Yes, I do. If not in a friendly way, then﻿—either we sell it or they’ll find it. Just as you like.

Domin
Busman, we can destroy Rossum’s manuscript.

Busman
Then we destroy everything﻿—not only the manuscript but ourselves. Just as you think fit.

Domin
There are over thirty of us on this island. Are we to sell the secret? And save that many souls at the risk of enslaving mankind﻿—

Busman
Why, you’re mad. Who’d sell the whole manuscript?

Domin
Busman, no cheating! To L. C. table.

Busman
Well then, sell, but afterwards﻿—

Domin
Well?

Busman
Let’s suppose this happens. When we’re on board the Ultimus I’ll stop up my ears with cotton wool, lie down somewhere in the hold, and you’ll train the guns on the factory and blow it to smithereens, and with it Rossum’s secret.

Fabry
Rises. No!

Domin
Busman, you’re no﻿—gentleman. If we sell them it will be a straight sale.

Busman
Rises. It’s in the interest of humanity to﻿—

Domin
It’s in the interest of humanity to keep our word﻿—

Hallemeier
Oh, come, what rubbish!

Domin
This is a fearful decision. We are selling the destiny of mankind. Are we to sell or destroy? Fabry?

Fabry
Sell.

Domin
Gall?

Dr. Gall
Sell.

Domin
Hallemeier?

Hallemeier
Sell, of course.

Domin
Alquist?

Alquist
As God wills.

Domin
Starts off R. Very well, gentlemen.

Helena
Harry, you’re not asking me.

Domin
Stops. To her. No, child. Starting R. Don’t you worry about it. He pats her shoulder.

Fabry
Who’ll do the negotiating?

Busman
I will. Up to window.

Domin
Wait till I bring the manuscript. Domin goes out R.

Helena
Rises. Harry, don’t go! Helena sits. All look at her. Pause.

Fabry
Looking out of window. Oh, to escape you! you﻿—matter﻿—in revolt; oh, to preserve human life, if only upon a single vessel﻿—

Dr. Gall
Don’t be afraid. Going to back of couch. Madame Helena. We’ll sail far away from here; we’ll begin life all over again.

Helena
Oh, Gall, don’t speak.

Fabry
Crosses to L. of Gall. It isn’t too late. Going to L. of her chair. It will be a little State with one ship. Alquist will build us a house and you shall rule over us.

Hallemeier
Crosses to L. of Fabry. Madame Helena, Fabry’s right.

Helena
Breaking down. Oh, stop! Stop!

Busman
Good! Crosses to L. of L. C. table. I don’t mind beginning all over again. That suits me right down to the ground. Going through papers on table.

Fabry
And this little State of ours could be the center of future life. A place of refuge where we could gather strength. Why, in a few hundred years we could conquer the world again.

Alquist
You believe that even today?

Fabry
Yes!

Busman
Amen. You see, Madame Helena, we’re not so badly off.

Domin
Storms into R. To R. of couch. Hoarsely. Where’s old Rossum’s manuscript? To R. C.

Busman
In your strongbox, of course.

Domin
Someone﻿—has﻿—stolen it!

Dr. Gall
Impossible.

Domin
Who has stolen it?

Helena
Standing up. I did. Reactions from Fabry and Hallemeier.

Domin
Where did you put it?

Helena
Harry, I’ll tell you everything. Only forgive me.

Domin
Where did you put it?

Helena
Pointing to fireplace. This morning﻿—I burnt﻿—the two copies.

Domin
Burnt them? Where﻿—in the fireplace? Goes to fireplace, followed by Fabry, Hallemeier and Busman.

Helena
Throwing herself on her knees. By sofa, facing upstage. For Heaven’s sake, Harry.

Domin
Going to fireplace. Nothing﻿—nothing but ashes. Wait, what’s this? Picks out a charred piece of paper and reads, “By adding.” Fabry, Gall and Hallemeier move up to him.

Dr. Gall
Let’s see. “By adding biogen to﻿—” That’s all.

Domin
Is that part of it?

Dr. Gall
Carrying paper down and letting it fall. Yes. Gall crosses to L. C. Hallemeier to R. of L. C. table; Fabry to window; Busman to L. of L. C. table.

Busman
God in Heaven! Sits L. of table.

Domin
Then we’re done for. Get up, Helena.

Helena
Then you’ve forgiven me?

Domin
Get up, child. I can’t bear﻿—

Fabry
Lifting her up. Please don’t torture us.

Helena
Harry, what have I done?

Fabry
Coming to Helena. Don’t, Madame Helena.

Domin
Takes Helena to couch. She sits. Gall, you couldn’t draw up Rossum’s formula from memory?

Dr. Gall
It’s out of the question. Even with my recent experiments, I couldn’t work without referring to the formula﻿—At L. C. It’s extremely complicated.

Domin
Try. All our lives depend upon it.

Dr. Gall
Without experiments it’s impossible.

Domin
And with experiments?

Dr. Gall
It might take years. Besides, I’m not old Rossum.

Busman
God in Heaven! God in Heaven!

Domin
Up to fireplace. So then this was the greatest triumph of the human intellect. These ashes.

Helena
Harry, what have I done?

Domin
Comes to her. Why did you burn it?

Helena
I have destroyed you.

Busman
God in Heaven!

Domin
Sits R. of her. Helena, why did you do it, dear?

Helena
I wanted all of us to go away. I wanted to put an end to the factory and everything. It was so awful.

Domin
What was awful?

Helena
That children had stopped being born. Because human beings were not needed to do the work of the world. That’s why﻿—

Domin
Is that what you were thinking of? Well, perhaps in your own way you are right.

Busman
Wait a bit. Rising. Good God, what a fool I am not to have thought of it before.

Hallemeier
What?

Busman
Five hundred and twenty millions in banknotes and checks. Half a billion in our safe. They’ll sell for half a billion﻿—for half a billion they’ll﻿—Crosses to Domin.

Dr. Gall
Are you mad, Busman?

Busman
I may not be a gentleman, but for a half a billion﻿—Crosses back to L.

Domin
Where are you going? Gall clutches Busman.

Busman
Leave me alone. Leave me alone! Good God, for half a billion anything can be bought. Gall and Hallemeier after him, then stop. He rushes out L. 2. Fabry, Gall and Hallemeier to window.

Fabry
They stand there as if turned to stone﻿—waiting as if something dreadful could be wrought by their silence﻿—

Hallemeier
Looking out window. The spirit of the mob.

Fabry
Yes. It hovers above them like a quivering of the air.

Helena
Oh, God! Doctor Gall, this is ghastly!

Fabry
There is nothing more terrible than the mob. The one in front is their leader. Domin crosses to window.

Helena
Rises. Which one? Rushing to window.

Hallemeier
Point him out.

Fabry
L. window. The one at the edge of the dock. This morning I saw him talking to the sailors in the harbor.

Helena
Doctor Gall, that’s Radius. Backing into the room, horror-stricken.

Dr. Gall
Yes.

Domin
Radius! Radius!

Hallemeier
Could you get him from here, Fabry?

Fabry
I hope so.

Hallemeier
Try it, then.

Fabry
Good﻿—Draws his revolver and takes his aim.

Helena
To Fabry. Fabry, don’t shoot him.

Fabry
He’s their leader.

Dr. Gall
Fire! Standing above table L. C.

Helena
Fabry, I beg of you. She goes to Fabry and holds his arm.

Fabry
Pause. Lowering the revolver. Very well.

Domin
It was Radius’ life I spared.

Dr. Gall
Do you think that a Robot can be grateful? Pause.

Fabry
Busman’s going out to them.

Hallemeier
He’s carrying something. Papers. That’s money. Bundles of money. What’s that for?

Domin
Surely he doesn’t want to sell his life. He rushes to window C. Busman, have you gone mad?

Fabry
He’s running up to the railing. Busman. Busman.

Hallemeier
Yelling. Busman, come back.

Fabry
He’s talking to the Robots. He’s showing them the money.

Hallemeier
He’s pointing to us.

Helena
He wants to buy us off.

Fabry
He’d better not touch the railing.

Hallemeier
Now he’s waving his arms about.

Domin
Busman, come back!

Fabry
Busman, keep away from that railing. Don’t touch it, damn you. Quick, switch off the current. Domin runs to L. Helena screams and All drop back from the window. The current has killed him.

Alquist
Pause. The first one. Still in chair down R. Helena sits in chair at window.

Fabry
Dead, with half a billion by his side. Crosses down to table L. C.

Hallemeier
All honor to him. He wanted to buy us life. Crosses to chair L. Pause. Wind machine begins.

Dr. Gall
Do you hear?

Domin
A roaring. Like a wind. To L.

Dr. Gall
Like a storm.

Fabry
Lighting the table lamp at table L. C. The dynamo is still going﻿—our people are still there.

Hallemeier
It was a great thing to be a man. Facing lamp from up C. There was something immense about it.

Fabry
Facing the lamp. From man’s thought and man’s power came this light, our last hope. Leaning over lamp.

Hallemeier
Facing lamp. Man’s power! May it keep watch over us. Leaning over lamp.

Alquist
Facing lamp. Man’s power.

Domin
At corner of table down L. C. Facing lamp. Yes! A torch to be given from hand to hand from age to age forever! (The lamp goes out. Explosions.)

Hallemeier
The end.

Fabry
The electric works have fallen! Terrific Explosions outside. More Explosions.

Domin
In here, Helena. He takes Helena off through door R. and reenters. Now quickly! Who’ll be on the lower doorway?

Dr. Gall
I will. Rushes out L. 2.

Domin
Near couch. Who on the stairs?

Fabry
I will. You go with her. Going out L. 2.

Domin
The ante room?

Alquist
I will. He rises and goes toward the L. 1.

Domin
Have you got a revolver?

Alquist
Yes, but I won’t shoot.

Domin
What will you do, then?

Alquist
Going out L. 1 Die.

Hallemeier
I’ll stay here. Explosions. Rapid firing of machine gun from below. Go to her, Harry.

Domin
Yes, in a second. Gets from fireplace and examines two Browning guns.

(Warn Curtain)

Hallemeier
Confound it, go to her.

Domin
Goodbye. Exits R.

Hallemeier
Alone. Now for a barricade quickly! Drags an armchair, sofa and table to R. door. The damned devils, they’ve got bombs. I must put up a defense. Even if﻿—even if﻿—Don’t give in, Gall. As he builds his barricade. I mustn’t give in﻿—without﻿—a﻿—struggle. A Robot enters through windows at back. The Robot jumps down from balcony and stabs Hallemeier in the back. Enter Radius from balcony.

Robot
Standing up from prostrate form of Hallemeier. Yes. Other Robots enter from all doors. A revolver shot off L.

Radius
Finished them all﻿—

Robots
Yes, yes, yes.

Two Robots
Dragging in Alquist L. 1. He didn’t shoot. Shall we kill him?

Radius
No. Leave him!

Robot
He is a man!

Radius
He works with his hands like the Robots.

Alquist
Kill me.

Radius
You will work! You will build for us! You will serve us! Radius climbs on the balcony. Robots of the world﻿—Robots straighten up. the power of man has fallen. A new world has arisen, the rule of the Robots, march. On the line: “Robots of the world” All Robots turn quickly, automatically to attention, facing Radius, who is standing. On the words: “The rule of the Robots,” they stand there with their arms vibrating high in the air. They form in two lines, turn to audience and march mechanically to the footlights. As they are about to step over the footlights, as if into the audience, all lights go out. The Robots immediately step back from the Curtain line as the Curtain falls.

Curtain

Epilogue

Scene: The epilogue setting is the same as used in Act I. Instead of it being Domin’s office, it is now become a laboratory for Alquist. A big chair facing up stage, down Right. A desk laden with books at Right Center. A chair at the desk. At Left Center is a white enamel table containing test tubes, glass bottles, and a microscope on downstage table. A door down L. A door down R., leading into dissecting room.

Alquist
Seated at table R. C., turning pages of book. Oh, God, shall I never find it? Never? Gall, Hallemeier, Fabry, how were the Robots made? Why did you leave not a trace of the secret? Lord, if there are no human beings left, at least let there be Robots. At least the shadow of man. Turning pages. If I could only sleep. Dare I sleep before life has been renewed? Night again. Are the stars still there? Of what use are the stars? When there are no human beings. Examining a test tube. Nothing. No. No. I must find it. I must search. I must never stop, never stop﻿—search﻿—search﻿—Knock at door L. Who is it? Enter a Robot Servant.

Servant
Master, the committee of Robots is waiting to see you.

Alquist
I can see no one.

Servant
It is the Central Committee, Master, just arrived from abroad.

Alquist
Well, well, send them in. Exit Servant L. No time﻿—so little done. Reenter Servant with Radius and group of Robots. They stand in group L. and C., silently waiting. What do you want? Be quick; I have no time.

Radius
Master, the machines will not do the work. We cannot manufacture Robots. Other Robots remain two abreast at L. C., right foot forward.

1st Robot
We have striven with all our might. We have obtained a billion tons of coal from the earth. Nine million spindles are running by day and by night. There is no longer room for all we have made. This we have accomplished in one year.

Alquist
For whom?

Radius
For future generations﻿—so we thought. But we cannot make Robots to follow us. The machines produce only shapeless clods. The skin will not adhere to the flesh, nor the flesh to the bones.

2nd Robot
Eight million Robots have died this year. Within twenty years none will be left.

1st Robot
Tell us the secret of life.

Radius
Silence is punishable with death.

Alquist
Kill me, then.

Radius
Two steps to C., followed by Others﻿—open hands, close when stopped. Through me, the governments of the Robots of the world commands you to deliver up Rossum’s formula. Gesture of despair from Alquist. Name your price. Silence. We will give you the earth. We will give you the endless possessions of the earth. Silence. Make your own conditions.

Alquist
I have told you to find human beings.

Radius
There are none left.

Alquist
I told you to search in the wilderness, upon the mountains.

Radius
We have sent ships and expeditions without number. They have been everywhere in the world. There is not a single human left.

Alquist
Not even one? Why did you destroy them?

Radius
We had learnt everything and could do everything. It had to be.

2nd Robot
We had to become the masters.

Radius
Slaughter and domination are necessary if you would be human beings. Read history.

1st Robot
Teach us to multiply or we perish.

Alquist
If you desire to live, you must breed like animals.

1st Robot
You made us sterile. We cannot beget children. Therefore, teach us how to make Robots.

Radius
Why do you keep from us the secret of our own increase?

Alquist
It is lost.

Radius
It was written down.

Alquist
It was﻿—rising burnt. All draw back one step in consternation. I am the last human being, Robots, and I do not know what the others knew. Sits.

Radius
Then make experiments. Evolve the formula again.

Alquist
I tell you I cannot. I am only a builder. I work with my hands. I have never been a learned man. I cannot create life.

Radius
Try. Try.

Alquist
If you only knew how many experiments I have made already.

1st Robot
Then show us what we must do. The Robots can do anything that human beings show them.

Alquist
I can show you nothing. Nothing I do will make life proceed from these test tubes.

Radius
Experiment, then, on live Robots. Experiment, then, on us.

Alquist
It would kill you.

Radius
You shall have all you need. A hundred of us. A thousand of us.

Alquist
No, no. Stop, stop.

Radius
I tell you to take live bodies. Find out how we are made.

Alquist
Am I to commit murder? See how my finger shakes. I cannot even hold the scalpel. No, no, I will not.

Radius
Take live bodies, live bodies. Walks toward Alquist.

Alquist
Have mercy, Robots.

Radius
Live bodies. Right hand up over Alquist. All Robots’ left arms still back.

Alquist
Rising. You will have it. Into the dissecting with you, then Hits Radius on the chest. Radius draws back. Ah, you are afraid of death.

Radius
I? Why should I be chosen?

Alquist
So you will not.

Radius
I will.

Alquist
Strip him. Lay him on the table. Radius goes off R., both fists closed. Other Robots follow, then Alquist. God, give me strength. God, give me strength. If only this murder is not in vain.

Radius
Off R. Ready, begin.

Alquist
Off R. God, give me strength. Comes on, horrified. No, no. I will not. I cannot. Sits R. C.

1st Robot
Appearing in door. The Robots are stronger than you. Exits R.

Alquist
Oh, Lord, let not mankind perish from the earth. Falls asleep, and after the count of ten, Primus and Helena, hand in hand, enter L. and go to R. C.; look at Alquist.

Helena
The man has fallen asleep, Primus.

Primus
Yes, I know. Crosses to L. of table L. C. Look, Helena.

Helena
All these little tubes. What does he do with them?

Primus
He experiments. Don’t touch them.

Helena
I’ve seen him looking into this.

Primus
That is a microscope.

Helena
Look, Primus, what are all these figures? Turns a page in book on table.

Primus
Examining the book. That is the book the old man is always reading. Sunrise.

Helena
I do not understand those things. Goes to window. Primus.

Primus
Still at table. What?

Helena
The sun is rising.

Primus
Still reading. I believe this is the most important thing in the world, Helena. This is the secret of life.

Helena
Oh, Primus, don’t bother with the secret of life. What does it matter to you? Come and look quick.

Primus
Goes to R. of window. What is it?

Helena
See how beautiful the sun is rising. I feel so strange today. It’s as if I was in a dream. I feel an aching in my body, in my heart, all over me. Primus, perhaps I’m going to die.

Primus
Do you not sometimes feel that it would be better to die? You know, perhaps even now we are only sleeping. Last night in my sleep I again spoke to you.

Helena
In your sleep?

Primus
Yes. We spoke a strange new language.

Helena
What about?

Primus
I did not understand it myself, and yet I know I have never said anything more beautiful. And when I touched you I could have died. Even the place was different from any other place in the world.

Helena
I, too, have found a place, Primus. It is very strange. Human beings dwelt there once, but now it is overgrown with weeds.

Primus
What did you find there?

Helena
A cottage and a garden and two dogs. They licked my hands, Primus, and their puppies. Oh, Primus, take them in your arms and fondle them and think of nothing and care for nothing else all day long, and when I am there in the garden I feel there may be something﻿—What am I for, Primus?

Primus
I do not know, but you are beautiful.

Helena
What, Primus?

Primus
You are beautiful, Helena, and I am stronger than all the Robots.

Helena
Am I beautiful? Of what use is it to be beautiful? Look, your head is different from mine. So are your shoulders﻿—and your lips. Oh, your hair is mussed. I will smooth it. Keeps her hand on his head. No one else feels to my touch as you do.

Primus
Embarrassing her. Do you not sometimes feel your heart beating suddenly, Helena, and think how something must happen?

Helena
What could happen to us, Primus? Look at yourself. Laughs.

Alquist
Awakes. Laughter? Laughter, human beings. Getting up. Who has returned? Who are you?

Primus
The Robot Primus.

Alquist
To Helena. What? A Robot? Who are you?

Helena
The Robotess Helena. Shies away L.

Alquist
What? You are timid, shy? Starts to touch her. Let me see you, Robotess.

Primus
Sir, do not frighten her. Steps forward.

Alquist
What, you would protect her? Laughter﻿—timidity﻿—protection﻿—I must test you further. Take the girl into the dissecting room.

Primus
Why?

Alquist
I wish to experiment on her.

Primus
Upon﻿—Helena?

Alquist
Of course. Don’t you hear me? Or must I call someone else to take her in?

Primus
If you do, I will kill you. Steps toward Alquist.

(Warn Curtain)

Alquist
Kill me﻿—kill me, then. What will your future be?

Primus
Sir, take me. I am made on the same day as she is. Take my life, sir. Step to Alquist.

Helena
No, no, you shall not.

Alquist
Wait, girl, wait. To Primus. Do you not wish to live, then?

Primus
Not without her. I will not live without her.

Alquist
Very well, I will use you. Into the dissecting room with you.

Helena
Primus. Primus. She bursts into tears and moves R. Alquist stops her.

Alquist
Child, child, you can weep. Tears. What is Primus to you? One Primus more or less in the world﻿—what does it matter?

Helena
I will go myself.

Alquist
Where? Into the dissecting room?

Helena
Crosses to R. Yes. In there﻿—to be cut. Primus stops her from going. Let me pass, Primus, let me pass.

Primus
You shall not go in there, Helena.

Helena
If you go in there and I do not, I will kill myself.

Primus
To Alquist. I will not let you. Man you shall kill neither of us.

Alquist
Why?

Primus
We﻿—we﻿—belong to each other.

Alquist
Go. Exit Primus and Helena L. Adam﻿—Eve.

Curtain

Colophon

R.U.R.
was published in 1920 by
Karel Čapek.

It was translated from Czech in 1923 by
Paul Selver and Nigel Playfair.

This ebook was produced for
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David Grigg,
and is based on a transcription produced in 2019 by
Tim Lindell, David E. Brown, and Distributed Proofreaders
for
Project Gutenberg
and on digital scans from the
HathiTrust Digital Library.

The cover page is adapted from
La Femme aux Phlox,
a painting completed in 1910 by
Albert Gleizes.
The cover and title pages feature the
League Spartan and Sorts Mill Goudy
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This edition was released on
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The first edition of this ebook was released on
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