R.U.R. Karel Čapek (story read aloud .TXT) 📖

R.U.R.

By Karel Čapek.

Translated by Paul Selver and Nigel Playfair.

Table of Contents Titlepage Imprint Dramatis Personae R.U.R. Act I Act II Act III Epilogue Colophon Uncopyright Imprint

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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