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

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