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

epub:type="z3998:persona">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