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

Until today⁠—then as soon as you lifted your veil⁠—Helena turns her head away. Another minute. (Warn Curtain) Helena But I don’t want you, I tell you. Domin Laying both hands on her shoulder. One more minute! Now you either have to look me straight in the eye and say “no” violently, and then I leave you alone⁠—or⁠—Helena looks at him. He takes hands away. She takes his hand again. Helena Turning her head away. You’re mad. Domin A man has to be a bit mad, Helena. That’s the best thing about him. He draws her to him. Helena Not meaning it. You are⁠—you are⁠— Domin Well? Helena Don’t, you’re hurting me! Domin The last chance, Helena. Now or never⁠— Helena But⁠—but⁠—He embraces her; kisses her. She embraces him. Knocking at R. door. Domin Releasing her. Come in. She lays her head on his shoulder. Enter Busman, Gall and Hallemeier in kitchen aprons, Fabry with a bouquet and Alquist with a napkin under his arm. Domin Have you finished your job? Busman Yes. Domin So have we. He embraces her. The Men rush around them and offer congratulations. The curtain falls quickly Act II

Scene: Helena’s drawing room. Ten years later. The skeleton framework of Act I is still used. Tall windows put in back instead of Act I windows. Steel shutters for these windows. Where the green cabinet of Act I at Left has stood is a door, L. 2, leading to the outside. Where the cabinet stood at Right, a fireplace is placed. The tall open hallway R. C. of Act I is blocked up with a flat piece. The doors at Right and Left 1 have been changed to those of a drawing room. Door at Right leads to Helena’s bedroom. Door at Left 1 leads to library.

The furniture consists of a reading table at Left Center covered with magazines. A chair to the Left of table. In front of table is an armchair covered in chintz. A couch Right Center and back of it is a small table with books and bookends. On this table a small reading lamp. At Right between doorway and fireplace is a small table. There is a workbasket upon it, with pincushion, needles, etc. Down stage at Right and facing the couch is another armchair used by Alquist. To the Left of fireplace is a straight-backed chair. Upstage at Left near the L. 2 door to the outside is a writing desk. There is a lamp upon it, writing paper, etc., a telephone and binoculars.

The walls of the room have been covered with silk to the height of seven feet. This is done in small flats to fit the different spaces and are in place against the permanent set. The two French windows open into the room. At the rise they are open. There is a balcony beyond looking over the harbor. The same telegraph wires and poles from Act I are again visible through the window. The windows are trimmed with gray lace curtains. Binoculars on desk up stage by television.

It is about nine in the morning and sunlight streams into the room through the open windows. Domin opens the door L. 2; tiptoes in. He carries a potted plant. He beckons the Others to follow him, and Hallemeier and Fabry enter, both carrying a potted plant. Domin places flowers on the library table and goes to Right and looks toward Helena’s bedroom R.

Hallemeier Putting down his flowers on L. C. table and indicates the door R. Still asleep? Domin Yes. Hallemeier Well, as long as she’s asleep she can’t worry about it. He remains at L. C. table. Domin She knows nothing about it. At C. Fabry Putting plant on writing desk. I certainly hope nothing happens today. Hallemeier For goodness sake drop it all. Look, this is a fine cyclamen, isn’t it? A new sort, my latest⁠—Cyclamen Helena. Domin Picks up binoculars and goes out into balcony. No signs of the ship. Things must be pretty bad. Hallemeier Be quiet. Suppose she heard you. Domin Coming into room, puts glasses on desk. Well, anyway the Ultimus arrived just in time. Fabry You really think that today⁠—? Domin I don’t know. He crosses to L. C. table. Aren’t the flowers fine? Hallemeier Fondles flowers. These are my 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— Helena Off R. Nana. Domin Keep quiet. She’s awake. Out you go. All go out on tiptoe through L. 2 door. Enter Nana L. 1. Helena Calling from R. Nana? Nana Horrid mess! Pack of heathens. If I had my say, I’d⁠— Helena Backwards in the doorway from R. 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? Turning. Nana If you want to turn around, then turn around, but I shan’t fasten you up. Helena Turns back. What are you grumbling about now? Nana These dreadful creatures, these heathens⁠— Helena Turning toward Nana again. 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. 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