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

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