R. U. R. (Rossum's Universal Robots)/Act 2
ACT II
SCENE: Helena's drawing room. On the left a baize door, and a door to the music room, on the right a door to Helena's bedroom. In the centre are windows looking out on the sea and the harbor. A table with odds and ends, a sofa and chairs, a writing table with an electric lamp, on the right a fireplace. On a small table back of the sofa, a small reading lamp. The whole drawing room, in all its details is of a modern and purely feminine character. Ten years have elapsed since Act I.
Domin, Fabry, Hallemeier, enter on tiptoe from the left, each carrying a potted plant.
Hallemeier
[Putting down his flower and indicating the door to right]: Still asleep? Well, as long as she's asleep she can't worry about it.
Domin
She knows nothing about it.
 | |
| Setting by Lee Simonson | Photograph by Francis Bruguiere |
| ACT II. FROM THE THEATRE GUILD PRODUCTION | |
Fabry
[Putting plant on writing desk]: I certainly hope nothing happens to-day.
Hallemeier
For goodness' sake drop it all. Look, Harry, this is a fine cyclamen, isn't it? A new sort, my latest—Cyclamen Helena.
Domin
[Looking out of the window]: No signs of the ship. Things must be pretty bad.
Hallemeier
Be quiet. Suppose she heard you.
Domin
Well, anyway, the Ultimus arrived just in time.
Fabry
You really think that to-day?
Domin
I don’t know. Aren't the flowers fine?
Hallemeier
These are my new 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
Domin
Keep quiet.
Helena
[Calling from right]: Nana!
Domin
She's awake. Out you go.
[All go out on tiptoe through upper left door.]
[Enter Nana from lower left door.]
Nana
Horrid mess! Pack of heathens. If I had my say, I'd
Helena
[Backwards in the doorway]: 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?
Nana
If you want to turn around, then turn around, but I shan't fasten you up.
Helena
What are you grumbling about now?
Nana
These dreadful creatures, these heathen
Helena
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—quite mad. 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, every one has young
Helena
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
Oh, aren't they lovely. Look, Nana. What's happening to-day?
Nana
It ought to be the end of the world.
[Enter Domin.]
Helena
Oh, hello, Harry. Harry, why all these flowers?
Domin
Guess.
Helena
Well, it's not my birthday!
Domin
Better than that.
Helena
I don't know. Tell me.
Domin
It's ten years ago to-day since you came here.
Helena
Ten years? To-day— Why [They embrace.]
Nana
I'm off.
[Exits lower door, left.]
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
Pearls! A necklace. Harry, is that for me?
Domin
It's from Busman.
Helena
But we can't accept it, can we?
Domin
Oh, yes, we can. Put your hand in the other pocket.
Helena
[Takes a revolver out of his pocket]: What's that?
Domin
Sorry. Not that. Try again.
Helena
Oh, Harry, what do you carry a revolver for?
Domin
It got there by mistake.
Helena
You never used to carry one.
Domin
No, you're right. There, that's the pocket.
Helena
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 door at the left.] And look in here. Helena, come and see this.
Helena
Oh, isn't it fine! Is this from you?
Domin
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 Dr. Gall. [Reappearing in the doorway.] Oh, Harry, I feel embarrassed at so much kindness.
Domin
Come here. This is what Hallemeier brought you.
Helena
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
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.
Helena
Where?
Domin
Into the harbor.
Helena
There's a new ship.
Domin
That's your ship.
Helena
Mine? How do you mean?
Domin
For you to take trips in—for your amusement.
Helena
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.
Helena
Harry, have you had bad news?
Domin
On the contrary, no letters have arrived for a whole week.
Helena
Nor telegrams?
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. Oh, glorious.
Helena
Then you'll stay with me to-day?
Domin
Certainly. That is, we will see. Do you remember ten years ago to-day? "Miss Glory, it's a great honor to welcome you."
Helena
"Oh, Mr. Manager, I'm so interested in your factory."
Domin
"I'm sorry, Miss Glory, it's strictly forbidden. The manufacture of artificial people is a secret."
Helena
"But to oblige a young lady who has come a long way."
Domin
"Certainly, Miss Glory, we have no secrets from you."
Helena
[Seriously]: Are you sure, Harry?
Domin
Yes.
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
[Suddenly serious]: A revolt of the Robots!
Helena
Harry, what's the matter with you?
Domin
[Laughing it off]: "A revolt of the Robots, that's a fine idea, 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 heads of us all."
[He sits on the arm of Helena's chair.]
Helena
[Naturally]: 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
Among what, Helena?
Helena
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 misgivings—not even when everything went wrong.
Domin
What went wrong?
Helena
Your plans. You remember, Harry, when the working men 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. You see, those are only passing troubles, which are bound to happen before the new conditions are established.
Helena
You were all so powerful, so overwhelming. The whole world bowed down before you. [Standing up.] Oh, Harry!
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
About what, Helena?
Helena
It's as if something was falling on top of us, and couldn't be stopped. Or, 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
Excuse me. Hello—yes. What? I'll be there at once. Fabry is calling me, dear.
Helena
Tell me
Domin
Yes, when I come back. Don't go out of the house, dear.
[Exits.]
Helena
He won't tell me Nana, Nana, come at once.
Nana
Well, what is it now?
Helena
Nana, find me the latest newspapers. Quickly. Look in Mr. Domin's bedroom.
Nana
All right. He leaves them all over the place. That's how they get crumpled up.
[Exits.]
Helena
[Looking through a binocular at the harbor]: That's a warship. U-l-t-i Ultimus. They're loading it.
Nana
Here they are. See how they're crumpled up.
[Enters.]
Helena
They're old ones. A week old.
[Nana sits in chair and reads the newspapers.]
Helena
Something's happening, Nana.
Nana
Very likely. It always does. [Spelling out the words]: "War in the Bal-kans." Is that far off?
Helena
Oh, don't read it. It's always the same. Always wars.
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 Rob-ot soldiers spare no-body in the occ-up-ied terr-it-ory. They have ass-ass-ass-ass-inat-ed ov-er sev-en hundred thou-sand cit-iz-ens." Citizens, if you please.
Helena
It can't be. Let me see. "They have assassinated over seven hundred thousand citizens, evidently at the order of their commander. This act which runs counter to"
Nana
[Spelling out the words]: "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.
Nana
Here's something printed in big letters: "Lat-est news. At Havre the first org-an-iz-ation of Rob-ots has been e-stab-lished. Rob-ot work-men, cab-le and rail-way off-ic-ials, 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
Take those papers away, Nana!
Nana
Wait a bit. Here's something in still bigger type. "Stat-ist-ics of pop-ul-at-ion." What’s that?
Helena
Let me see. [Reads]: "During the past week there has again not been a single birth recorded."
Nana
What's the meaning of that?
Helena
Nana, no more people are being born.
Nana
That's the end, then. 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.
[She exits on the left.]
Helena
[Goes up to window]: Oh, Mr. Alquist, will you come up here. Oh, come just as you are. You look very nice in your mason's overalls.
Helena
Dear Mr. Alquist, it was awfully kind of you, that lovely present.
Alquist
My hands are all soiled. I've been experimenting with that new cement.
Helena
Never mind. Please sit down. 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 going 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 feelIs 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 new-fangled 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?
Helena
Against temptations, against floods
Alquist
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
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
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 sure to be unless—unless . . .
Helena
What?
Alquist
Nothing, good-bye.
[He hurries from the room.]
Helena
Nana, Nana!
[Nana entering from the left.]
Helena
Is Radius still there?
Nana
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.
[Exit Nana.]
[Helena goes to telephone.]
Helena
Hello, Dr. 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.
[Nana brings in Radius.]
Helena
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. Dr. Gall took such trouble to make you different. Won't you speak?
Radius
Send me to the stamping-mill.
Helena
But I don't want them to kill you. What was the trouble, Radius?
Radius
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 any master. I know everything for myself.
Helena
Radius, Dr. 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. I want to be master over others.
Helena
I'm sure they'd put you in charge of many Robots, Radius. You would be a teacher of the Robots.
Radius
I want to be master over people.
Helena
[Staggering]: You are mad.
Radius
Then send me to the stamping-mill.
Helena
Do you think we're afraid of you?
Radius
What are you going to do? What are you going to do?
Helena
Radius, give this note to Mr. Domin. It asks them not to send you to the stamping-mill. I'm sorry you hate us so.
[Dr. Gall enters the room.]
Dr. Gall
You wanted me?
Helena
It's about Radius, Doctor. He had an attack this morning. He smashed the statues downstairs.
Dr. Gall
What a pity to lose him.
Helena
Radius isn't going to be put in the stamping-mill.
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
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.
Helena
What for?
Dr. Gall
A test. [Sticks it into the hand of Radius who 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, and grind you to powder. That's terribly painful, it will make you scream aloud.
Helena
Oh, Doctor
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 let off. Do you understand? Ah! That makes a difference, doesn't it? All right. You can go.
Radius
You do unnecessary things.
[Radius returns to the library.]
Dr. Gall
Reaction of the pupils; increase of sensitiveness. It wasn't an attack characteristic of the Robots.
Helena
What was it, then?
Dr. Gall
Heavens 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
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?
Dr. Gall
Well, some are more sensitive than others. They're all more like 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. But she's 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 will 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 begin to 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. 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 the 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
[Rising]: Thank you for coming and telling me.
Dr. Gall
That means you're sending me away?
Helena
Yes.
[Exit Dr. Gall.]
Helena
[With sudden resolution]: Nana, Nana! The fire, light it quickly.
Helena rushes into Domin's room.]
Nana
[Entering from left]: What, light the fire in summer? Has that mad Radius gone? A fire in summer, what an idea. Nobody would think she'd been married for ten years. She's like a baby, no sense at all. A fire in summer. Like a baby.
Helena
[Returns from right, with armful of faded papers]: 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, a lot of money?
Nana
I'd say burn it. A lot of money is a bad thing.
Helena
And if it was an invention, the greatest invention in the world?
Nana
I'd say burn it. All these new-fangled 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
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.
Helena
[Standing up horror-stricken]: Nana, Nana.
Nana
Good gracious, what is it you've burned?
Helena
Whatever have I done?
Nana
Well, what was it?
[Men's laughter off left.]
Helena
Go quickly. It's the gentlemen coming.
Nana
Good gracious, what a place! [Exits.]
Domin
[Opens the door at left]: Come along and offer your congratulations.
[Enter Hallemeier and Gall.]
Hallemeier
Madame Helena, I congratulate you on this festive day.
Helena
Thank you. Where are Fabry and Busman?
Domin
They've gone down to the harbor.
Hallemeier
Friends, we must drink to this happy occasion.
Helena
Brandy?
Dr. Gall
Vitriol, if you like.
Helena
With soda water?
[Exits.]
Hallemeier
Let's be temperate. No soda.
Domin
What's been burning here? Well, shall I tell her about it?
Dr. Gall
Of course. It's all over now.
Hallemeier
[Embracing Domin and Dr. Gall]: It's all over now, it's all over now.
Dr. Gall
It's all over now.
Domin
It's all over now.
Helena
[Entering from left with decanter and glasses]: What's all over now? What's the matter with you all?
Hallemeier
A piece of good luck, Madame Domin. Just ten years ago to-day you arrived on this island.
Dr. Gall
And now, ten years later to the minute
Hallemeier
—the same ship's returning to us. So here's to luck. That's fine and strong.
Dr. Gall
Madame, your health.
Helena
Which ship do you mean?
Domin
Any ship will do, as long as it arrives in time. To the ship, boys. [Empties his glass.]
Helena
You've been waiting for a ship?
Hallemeier
Rather. Like Robinson Crusoe. Madame Helena, best wishes. Come along, Domin, out with the news.
Helena
Do tell me what's happened.
Domin
First, it's all up.
Helena
What's up?
Domin
The revolt.
Helena
What revolt?
Domin
Give me that paper, Hallemeier. [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
—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?
Domin
Oh, no, my dear, I ordered that six months ago, just to be on the safe side. But upon my soul, I was sure then that we'd be on board to-day.
Helena
Why six months ago?
Domin
Well, there were signs, you know. But that's of no consequence. To think that this week the whole of civilization has been at stake. Your health, boys.
Hallemeier
Your health, Madame 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 time-table. It will dock punctually at eleven-thirty.
Domin
Punctuality is a fine things, boys. That's what keeps the world in order. Here's to punctuality.
Helena
Then . . . everything's . . . all right?
Domin
Practically everything. I believe they've cut the cables and seized the radio stations. But it doesn't matter if only the time-table holds good.
Hallemeier
If the time-table 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. The time-table is more significant than the gospel; more than Homer, more than the whole of Kant. The time-table is the most perfect product of the human mind. Madame Domin, I'll fill up my glass.
Helena
Why didn't you tell me anything about it?
Dr. Gall
Heaven forbid.
Domin
You mustn't be worried with such things.
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
We'd take something away with us that the Robots could not exist without.
Helena
What, Harry?
Domin
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
Madame Domin, that was our trump card. I never had the least fear that the Robots would win. How could they against people like us?
Helena
Why didn't you tell me?
Dr. Gall
Why, the boat's in!
Hallemeier
Eleven-thirty to the dot. The good old Amelia that brought Madame Helena to us.
Dr. Gall
Just ten years ago to the minute.
Hallemeier
They're throwing out the mail bags.
Domin
Busman's waiting for them. Fabry will bring us the first news. You know, Helena, I'm fearfully curious to know how they tackled this business in Europe.
Hallemeier
To think we weren't in it, we who invented the Robots!
Helena
Harry!
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, Dr. 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. 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.
Hallemeier
By Jove, we'll make Negro Robots and Swedish Robots and Italian Robots and Chinese Robots and Czechoslovakian Robots, and then
Helena
Harry, that's dreadful.
Hallemeier
Madame Domin, here's to the hundred new factories, the National Robots.
Domin
Helena, mankind can only keep things going for another hundred years at the outside. For a hundred years men must be allowed to develop and achieve the most they 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.]
Dr. Gall
Well, Fabry?
Domin
What's happened? Have you been down to the boat?
Fabry
Read that, Domin!
[Fabry hands Domin a small hand-bill.]
Dr. Gall
Let's hear.
Hallemeier
Tell us, Fabry.
Fabry
Well, everything is all right—comparatively. On the whole, much as we expected.
Dr. Gall
They acquitted themselves splendidly.
Fabry
Who?
Dr. Gall
The people.
Fabry
Oh, yes, of course. That is—excuse me, there is something we ought to discuss alone.
Helena
Oh, Fabry, have you had bad news?
[Domin makes a sign to Fabry.]
Fabry
No, no, on the contrary. I only think that we had better go into the office.
Helena
Stay here. I'll go.
[She goes into the library.]
Dr. Gall
What's happened?
Domin
Damnation!
Fabry
Bear in mind that the Amelia brought whole bales of these leaflets. No other cargo at all.
Hallemeier
What? But it arrived on the minute.
Fabry
The Robots are great on punctuality. Read it, Domin.
Domin
[Reads handbill]: "Robots throughout the world: We, the first international organization of Rossum's Universal Robots, proclaim man as 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. That 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 men. Spare no women. Save factories, railways, machinery, mines, and raw materials. Destroy the rest. Then return to work. Work must not be stopped."
Dr. Gall
That's ghastly!
Hallemeier
The devils!
Domin
"These orders are to be carried out as soon as received." Then come detailed instructions. Is this actually being done, Fabry?
Fabry
Evidently.
[Busman rushes in.]
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. My word, that was a sprint!
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.
Busman
Fabry, my boy, don't. The wire has been cut.
Domin
[Inspecting his revolver]: Well, then, I'll go.
Busman
Where?
Domin
To the electrical works. There are some people still there. I'll bring them across.
Busman
Better not try it.
Domin
Why?
Busman
Because I'm very much afraid we are surrounded.
Dr. Gall
Surrounded? [Runs to window.] I rather think you're right.
Hallemeier
By Jove, that's deuced quick work.
[Helena runs in from the library.]
Helena
Harry, what's this?
Domin
Where did you get it?
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
They're gathered round the house.
[The factory whistle blows.]
Busman
Noon?
Domin
[Looking at his watch]: That's not noon yet. That must be—that's
Helena
What?
Domin
The Robots' signal! The attack!