Act 3

20 min

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.

Scene: Helena’s drawing room, as before. The room is dark and gray. The steel shutters outside are still closed, as they were at the end of Act II. Alquist is sitting in a chair downstage at the far right. Domin enters from the left, at the second entrance. (Quiet voices.) Dr. Gall is sitting in a chair, looking out the center window.

Domin. (Gets binoculars from desk; crosses up to window. To Gall) Any more of them?

Domin. (Takes binoculars from the desk and walks to the 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.

Dr. Gall. Yes. They’re standing there like a wall, beyond the garden railing. Why are they so quiet? It’s horrible to be surrounded by 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.

Domin. (Looking through the barred windows) I wonder what they're waiting for. They must start any minute now. If they lean against the railing, it will snap like a match.

Dr. Gall. They aren’t armed.

Domin. (Puzzled) We couldn’t hold our own for five minutes. Man alive, they overwhelm us like an avalanche. Why don’t they make a rush for it? I say. (Turns to Gall.)

Domin. (Puzzled) We couldn’t hold them off for five minutes. Good grief, they’d overwhelm us like an avalanche. Why don’t they rush in? Tell me. (Turns to Gall.)

Dr. Gall. Well?

Domin. I’d like to know what will become of us in the next ten minutes. They’ve got us in a vise. We’re done for, Gall.

Domin. I’d like to know what will happen to us in the next ten minutes. They’ve got us trapped. We’re done for, Gall.

Dr. Gall. You know, we made one serious mistake.

Domin. What?

Dr. Gall. We made the Robots’ faces too much alike. A hundred thousand faces all alike, all facing this way. A hundred thousand expressionless bubbles. It’s like a nightmare.

Dr. Gall. We made the Robots’ faces too much alike. A hundred thousand identical faces, all facing this way. A hundred thousand expressionless bubbles. It’s like a nightmare.

Domin. You think if they’d been different—

Domin. You think if they’d been different...

Dr. Gall. It wouldn’t have been such an awful sight!

Dr. Gall. It wouldn’t have looked so awful!

Domin. (Looks through binoculars towards the harbor) I’d like to know what they’re unloading from the Amelia.

Domin. (Looks through binoculars toward the harbor) I’d like to know what they’re unloading from the Amelia.

Dr. Gall. Not firearms.

Dr. Gall. Not guns.

Fabry. (Enters L.2 with a plug-box to which is attached a long cable or wire. Hallemeier following him. Fabry attaches the cable to an electric installation which is on the floor near the wall, down stage at L.1 entrance) All right, Hallemeier, lay down that wire.

Fabry. (Enters L.2 carrying a plug box attached to a long cable or wire. Hallemeier follows him. Fabry connects the cable to an electrical installation on the floor near the wall, downstage at the L.1 entrance) All right, Hallemeier, lay down that wire.

Hallemeier. (Just inside the room) That was a bit of work. What’s the news? (Seeing Domin and Gall at the window.)

Hallemeier. (Just inside the room) That was hard work. What’s the news? (Seeing Domin and Gall at the window.)

Dr. Gall. We’re completely surrounded.

Hallemeier. (Crosses to window) We’ve barricaded the passages and the stairs. (Going to window) God, what swarms of them. I don’t like the looks of them, Domin. There’s a feeling of death about it all. Any water here?

Hallemeier. (Crosses to window) We’ve barricaded the passages and the stairs. (Going to window) God, there are swarms of them. I don’t like the look of them, Domin. There’s a feeling of death about it all. Is there any water here?

Fabry. Ready!

Dr. Gall. (Turning round in the chair) What’s that wire for, Fabry?

Dr. Gall. (Turning around in the chair) What’s that wire for, Fabry?

Fabry. The electrical installation. Now we can run the current all along the garden railing. (Up to window) Whenever we like. If anyone touches it he’ll know it. We’ve still got some people there anyhow.

Fabry. The electrical installation. Now we can run current along the entire garden railing. (Up to window) Whenever we want. If anyone touches the railing, he’ll feel it. We still have some people there, anyway.

Dr. Gall. Where?

Fabry. In the electrical works. At least, I hope so. (Goes to lamp on table L.C. and turns on lamp) Ah, they’re there, and they’re working. As long as that’ll burn we’re all right. (To window.)

Fabry. At the electrical works. At least, I hope so. (Goes to the lamp on the table L.C. and turns it on) Ah, they’re there, and they’re working. As long as the lamp stays lit, we’re all right. (Goes to the window.)

Hallemeier. The barricades are all right, too, Fabry.

Fabry. Your barricades! I can put twelve hundred volts into that railing. (Helena is playing Rachmaninoff’s Elegie off L.1.)

Fabry. Your barricades! I can put twelve hundred volts through that railing. (Helena is playing Rachmaninoff’s Elegie off L.1.)

Domin. Where’s Busman? (Domin has left window and is walking up and down stage across front.)

Domin. Where’s Busman? (Domin has left the window and is pacing across the front of the stage.)

Fabry. Downstairs in the office. He’s working out some calculations.

Fabry. Downstairs in the office. He’s doing some calculations.

Domin. I’ve called him. We must have a conference. (Crosses to L.)

Domin. I’ve called him. We need to meet. (Crosses to L.)

Alquist. Thank God Madame Helena can still play. (Hallemeier crosses to L.1 door, opens it slightly and listens to music. Enter Busman L.2.)

Alquist. Thank God Madame Helena can still play. (Hallemeier walks to the L.1 door, opens it slightly, and listens to the music. Busman enters L.2.)

Fabry. Look out, Bus—look out for the wires.

Fabry. Look out, Bus. Look out for the wires.

Dr. Gall. What’s that you’re carrying?

Dr. Gall. What are you carrying?

Busman. (Laying the books on the table L.C.) The ledger, my boy. I’d like to wind up the accounts before—before— (Domin crosses up to window.) Well, this time I shan’t wait till the New Year to strike a balance. What’s up? (Goes to window) Absolutely quiet.

Busman. (Putting the books on the table L.C.) The ledger, my boy. I’d like to finish the accounts before... before... (Domin crosses up to the window.) Well, this time I won’t wait until the New Year to balance the books. What’s happening? (Goes to the window) Completely quiet.

Dr. Gall. Can’t you see anything?

Busman. Nothing but blue—blue everywhere.

Busman. Nothing but blue, blue everywhere.

Dr. Gall. That’s the Robots.

Dr. Gall. Those are the Robots.

Domin. The Robots are unloading firearms from the Amelia.

Domin. The Robots are unloading guns from the Amelia.

Busman. Well, what of it? How can I stop them? (Returns to L.C. table, sits and opens ledger.)

Busman. Well, so what? How can I stop them? (Returns to L.C. table, sits and opens ledger.)

Domin. We can’t stop them.

Busman. Then let me go on with my accounts. (Goes on with his work.)

Busman. Then let me get back to my accounts. (Continues working.)

Domin. (Picks up telescope) Good God! The Ultimus has trained her guns on us.

Domin. (Picks up telescope) Good God! The Ultimus has aimed her guns at us.

Dr. Gall. Who’s done that?

Domin. The Robots on board.

Fabry. H’m, then of course— (Pause) Then—then that’s the end of us. (To R. corner of desk.)

Fabry. Hmm, then of course. (Pause) Then, then that’s the end of us. (To R. corner of desk.)

Dr. Gall. You mean?

Dr. Gall. What do you mean?

Fabry. The Robots are practised marksmen.

Fabry. The Robots are skilled marksmen.

Domin. Yes. It’s inevitable. (Pause.)

Domin. Yes. It can’t be avoided. (Pause.)

Dr. Gall. (Swinging around; looking into room. Pause) That was criminal of old Europe to teach the Robots to fight. Damn them. Couldn’t they have given us a rest with their politics? It was a crime to make soldiers of them.

Dr. Gall. (Turning around, looking into the room. Pause) It was criminal of old Europe to teach the Robots to fight. Damn them. Couldn’t they have given us a break from their politics? It was a crime to make soldiers of the Robots.

Alquist. It was a crime to make Robots.

Domin. (Quietly. Down C.) No, Alquist, I don’t regret that even today.

Domin. (Quietly. Down C.) No, Alquist, I still don’t regret that.

Alquist. Not even today?

Domin. (Dreamily) Not even today, the last day of civilization. It was a colossal achievement.

Domin. (Dreamily) Not even today, the last day of civilization. It was a huge achievement.

Busman. (Sotto voce) Three hundred sixty million.

Busman. (Quietly) Three hundred sixty million.

Domin. (From window) Alquist, this is our last hour. We are already speaking half in the other world. That was not an evil dream to shatter the servitude of labor. The dreadful and humiliating labor that man had to undergo. Work was too hard. Life was too hard. And to overcome that—

Domin. (From the window) Alquist, this is our last hour. We are already speaking half from the other world. It was not an evil dream to end the slavery of labor. The dreadful and humiliating labor people had to endure. Work was too hard. Life was too hard. And to overcome that...

Alquist. Was not what the two Rossums dreamed of. Old Rossum only thought of his Godless tricks, and the young one of his milliards. And that’s not what your R. U. R. shareholders dream of either. They dream of dividends, and their dividends are the ruin of mankind.

Alquist. That was not what the two Rossums dreamed of. Old Rossum thought only of his godless tricks, and young Rossum only of his billions. And that is not what your R. U. R. shareholders dream of either. They dream of dividends, and their dividends are the ruin of mankind.

Domin. To Hell with your dividends. (Crossing R. in front of couch) Do you suppose I’d have done an hour’s work for them? It was for myself that I worked, for my own satisfaction. I wanted man to become the master. So that he shouldn’t live merely for the crust of bread. I wanted not a single soul to be broken by other people’s machinery. I wanted nothing, nothing, nothing to be left of this appalling social structure. I’m revolted by poverty. I wanted a new generation. I wanted—I thought—

Domin. To hell with your dividends. (Crossing R. in front of couch) Do you think I’d have worked an hour for them? I worked for myself, for my own satisfaction. I wanted humans to become masters. So that they shouldn’t live just to earn a crust of bread. I didn’t want a single soul broken by other people’s machinery. I wanted nothing, nothing, nothing left of this appalling social structure. Poverty revolts me. I wanted a new generation. I wanted. I thought.

Alquist. Well?

Domin. (Front of couch) I wanted to turn the whole of mankind into an aristocracy of the world. An aristocracy nourished by millions of mechanical slaves. Unrestricted, free and consummated in man. And maybe more than man.

Domin. (Front of couch) I wanted to turn all humanity into the world's aristocracy, supported by millions of mechanical slaves. Unrestricted, free, and fulfilled in man. And perhaps more than man.

Alquist. Superman?

Domin. Yes. Oh, only to have a hundred years of time. Another hundred years for the future of mankind.

Domin. Yes. Oh, if only we had a hundred years. Another hundred years for the future of mankind.

Busman. (Sotto voce) Carried forward—four hundred and twenty millions. (Domin sits on couch.)

Busman. (Quietly) Carried forward, four hundred and twenty million. (Domin sits on couch.)

Hallemeier. (Pauses—back of couch) What a fine thing music is. We ought to have gone in for that before.

Hallemeier. (Pauses, behind the couch) Music is wonderful. We should have taken it up sooner.

Fabry. Gone in for what?

Fabry. Gotten into what?

Hallemeier. Beauty, lovely things. What a lot of lovely things there are. The world was wonderful, and we—we here—tell me, what enjoyment did we have?

Hallemeier. Beauty, lovely things. There are so many lovely things. The world was wonderful. And we, here, tell me, what enjoyment did we have?

Busman. (Sotto voce) Five hundred and twenty million.

Busman. (Quietly) Five hundred and twenty million.

Hallemeier. Life was a good thing, life was— (Looking out of window. Directly to Fabry) Fabry, switch the current into that railing.

Hallemeier. Life was good, life was... (Looking out of the window. Directly to Fabry) Fabry, turn on the current to that railing.

Fabry. Why? (Rushes to electric installation at L.)

Fabry. Why? (Rushes to the electrical equipment at L.)

Hallemeier. They’re grabbing hold of it. (Domin rises—straightens up. All rise.)

Hallemeier. They’re grabbing it. (Domin rises, straightens up. All rise.)

Dr. Gall. Connect it up.

Dr. Gall. Connect it.

Hallemeier. Fine, that’s doubled them up. Two, three, four killed.

Hallemeier. Good, that made them double over. Two, three, four killed.

Dr. Gall. They’re retreating. (Domin sits.)

Hallemeier. Five killed.

Dr. Gall (Pause) The first encounter.

Dr. Gall (Pause) The first meeting.

Hallemeier. They’re charred to cinders, my boy. Who says we must give in? (MUSIC stops.)

Hallemeier. They’re burned to ashes, my boy. Who says we have to give in? (MUSIC stops.)

Domin. (Alquist and Gall sit. Wiping his forehead) Perhaps we’ve been killed this hundred years and are only ghosts. It’s as if I had been through all this before, as if I’d already had a mortal wound here in the throat. (Looking at each as he speaks) And you, Fabry, had once been shot in the head. And you, Gall, torn limb from limb. And Hallemeier knifed.

Domin. (Alquist and Gall sit. Wiping his forehead) Perhaps we were killed a hundred years ago and are only ghosts. It’s as if I’ve been through all this before, as if I’ve already had a fatal wound here in my throat. (Looking at each as he speaks) And you, Fabry, had been shot in the head. And you, Gall, had been torn limb from limb. And Hallemeier had been stabbed.

Hallemeier. Fancy me being knifed. (Looks at each. Then speaks) Why are you so quiet, you fools? (Steps down) Speak, can’t you?

Hallemeier. Imagine me getting stabbed. (Looks at each of them. Then speaks) Why are you so quiet, you fools? (Steps down) Speak, can’t you?

Alquist. And who is to blame for all this?

Hallemeier. Nobody is to blame except the Robots.

Alquist. No, it is we are to blame. You, Domin, myself—all of us. For our own selfish ends, for profit, for progress, we have destroyed mankind. Now we’ll burst with all our greatness.

Alquist. No, we are to blame. You, Domin, me, all of us. For our own selfish purposes, for profit, for progress, we have destroyed humanity. Now we’ll burst with all our greatness.

Hallemeier. Rubbish, man. Mankind can’t be wiped out so easily.

Hallemeier. Nonsense, man. Humanity can’t be wiped out so easily.

Alquist. It’s our fault. It’s our fault. (Rises, coming R. of Gall.)

Alquist. It’s our fault. It’s our fault. (Stands and moves to the right of Gall.)

Dr. Gall. No! I’m to blame for this, for everything that’s happened. (He leaves the window and comes down to end of couch.)

Dr. Gall. No! I’m to blame for this, for everything that’s happened. (He leaves the window and walks to the end of the couch.)

Fabry. You, Gall?

Dr. Gall. I changed the Robots.

Busman. What’s that?

Dr. Gall. I changed the character of the Robots. I changed the way of making them. Just a few details about their bodies. Chiefly—chiefly, their—their irritability.

Dr. Gall. I changed the Robots' character. I changed how they are made. Just a few details about their bodies. Mainly, mainly, their, their irritability.

Hallemeier. Damn it, why?

Busman. What did you do it for?

Busman. Why did you do it?

Fabry. Why didn’t you say anything?

Dr. Gall. I did it in secret. I was transforming them into human beings. In certain respects they’re already above us. They’re stronger than we are.

Dr. Gall. I did it in secret. I was turning them into human beings. In some ways, they’re already above us. They’re stronger than we are.

Fabry. And what’s that got to do with the revolt of the Robots?

Fabry. And what does that have to do with the Robots’ revolt?

Dr. Gall. Everything, in my opinion. They’ve ceased to be machines. They’re already aware of their superiority, and they hate us as they hate everything human.

Dr. Gall. Everything, I think. They’re no longer machines. They’re already aware of their superiority, and they hate us as they hate everything human.

Domin. Perhaps we’re only phantoms.

Domin. Maybe we’re only ghosts.

Fabry. Stop, Harry. We haven’t much time, Doctor Gall.

Fabry. Stop, Harry. We don’t have much time, Doctor Gall.

Domin. Fabry, Fabry, how your forehead bleeds where the shot pierced it.

Domin. Fabry, Fabry, your forehead is bleeding so much where the bullet pierced it.

Fabry. (Crosses to Gall) Be silent! Doctor Gall, you admit changing the way of making the Robots.

Fabry. (Crosses to Gall) Be quiet! Doctor Gall, you admit that you changed the way the Robots are made.

Dr. Gall. Yes.

Fabry. Were you aware of what might be the consequences of your experiment?

Fabry. Did you know what the consequences of your experiment might be?

Dr. Gall. I was bound to reckon with such a possibility.

Dr. Gall. I had to consider that possibility.

Fabry. (Amusing) Why did you do it, then?

Fabry. (Amused) Why did you do it, then?

(Helena enters L.1.)

Dr. Gall. For my own satisfaction. The experiment was my own.

Dr. Gall. For my own satisfaction. It was my experiment.

Helena. That’s not true, Doctor Gall! (Crosses to couch.)

Domin. (Rises) Helena, you? (Crosses to her) Let’s look at you. Oh, it’s terrible to be dead. (He rises and crushes her in his arms.)

Domin. (Stands) Helena, is that you? (Walks over to her) Let me look at you. Oh, it’s terrible to be dead. (He stands and crushes her in his arms.)

Helena. Stop, Harry.

Domin. No, no, Helena, don’t leave me now. You are life itself.

Helena. No, dear, I won’t leave you. But I must tell them. Doctor Gall is not guilty.

Helena. No, dear, I won't leave you. But I have to tell them. Doctor Gall is not guilty.

Fabry. Excuse me. Gall was under certain obligations.

Fabry. Excuse me. Gall had certain obligations.

Helena. No. He did it because I wanted it. Tell them, Doctor Gall—how many years ago did I ask you to—?

Helena. No. He did it because I wanted him to. Tell them, Doctor Gall. How many years ago did I ask you to...?

Dr. Gall. I did it on my own responsibility.

Helena. Don’t believe him. I asked him to give the Robots souls.

Domin. This has nothing to do with the soul.

Helena. That’s what he said. He said that he could change only a physiological—a physiological—

Helena. That’s what he said. He said he could only change a physiological, a physiological...

Hallemeier. (From up at window) A physiological correlate?

Hallemeier. (From the window) A physical counterpart?

Helena. Yes. But it meant so much to me that he should do even that.

Helena. Yes. But it meant so much to me that he would even do that.

Domin. Why?

Helena. I thought that if they were more like us they would understand us better. That they couldn’t hate us if they were only a little more human.

Helena. I thought that if they were more like us, they would understand us better. I thought they couldn’t hate us if they were just a little more human.

Domin. Nobody can hate man more than man.

Domin. No one can hate people more than people themselves.

Helena. Oh, don’t speak like that, Harry. It was so terrible, this cruel strangeness between us and them. That’s why I asked Gall to change the Robots. I swear to you that he didn’t want to.

Helena. Oh, don’t talk like that, Harry. It was so terrible, that cruel sense of separation between us and them. That’s why I asked Gall to change the Robots. I swear to you that he didn’t want to.

Domin. But he did it.

Helena. Because I asked him.

Dr. Gall. I did it for myself as an experiment. (Up to window.)

Dr. Gall. I did it for myself as an experiment. (Moves to the window.)

Helena. No, Doctor Gall! I know you wouldn’t refuse me.

Helena. No, Doctor Gall! I know you wouldn’t say no to me.

Domin. Why?

Helena. You know, Harry.

Domin. Yes, because he’s in love with you—like all of them. (Fabry up to window. Pause. Domin takes her in his arms.)

Domin. Yes, because he’s in love with you, like all of them. (Fabry goes to the window. Pause. Domin takes her in his arms.)

Hallemeier. Good God, they’re sprouting up out of the earth. Why, perhaps these very walls will change into Robots.

Hallemeier. Good God, they’re coming up out of the ground. Why, perhaps even these walls will turn into Robots.

Busman. (Rises; crosses to Gall) Gall, when did you actually start these tricks of yours?

Busman. (Stands and walks over to Gall) Gall, when did you actually start these tricks of yours?

Dr. Gall. Three years ago.

Busman. Aha. And on how many Robots altogether did you carry out your improvements? (Walking to and fro.)

Busman. Aha. And how many Robots in total did you make your improvements on? (Walking back and forth.)

Dr. Gall. A few hundred of them.

Busman. Ah! That means for every million of the good old Robots there’s only one of Gall’s improved pattern. (Back to table L.C.)

Busman. Ah! That means there’s only one of Gall’s improved Robots for every million good old Robots. (Back to table L.C.)

Domin. What of it? (Crossing around L., he stands upstage in the L.2 doorway.)

Domin. So what? (Crossing to L., he stands upstage in the L.2 doorway.)

Busman. That it’s of no consequence whatsoever.

Busman. That it doesn't matter at all.

Fabry. Busman’s right. (Helena sits in armchair R. of L.C. table.)

Fabry. Busman’s right. (Helena sits in an armchair to the right of the left-center table.)

Busman. I should think so, my boy; but do you know what is to blame for this lovely mess?

Busman. I’d say so, my boy. But do you know what’s to blame for this lovely mess?

Fabry. What?

Busman. The number! (Crosses to L. of L.C. table) Upon my soul, we might have known that some day or other the Robots would be stronger than human beings, and that this was bound to happen. And we were doing all we could to bring it about as soon as possible. You, Domin, you, Fabry, myself—

Busman. The number! (Crosses to L. of L.C. table) Good Lord, we should have known that someday the Robots would be stronger than humans. We should have known this was bound to happen. And we were doing all we could to bring it about as soon as possible. You, Domin, you, Fabry, myself...

Domin. Are you accusing us? (Turning on him.)

Busman. Oh, do you suppose the management controls the output? It’s the demand that controls the output.

Busman. Oh, do you think management controls how much is produced? Demand controls production.

Helena. And is it for that we must perish?

Helena. And is that why we have to die?

Busman. That’s a nasty word, Madame Helena. We don’t want to perish. I don’t, anyhow. (He sits L. of table.)

Busman. That’s a nasty word, Madame Helena. We don’t want to die. I don’t, anyway. (He sits L. of table.)

Domin. No? What do you want to do?

Busman. I want to get out of this, that’s all.

Busman. I just 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.)

Domin. How? (Turns to the front again.)

Busman. By fair means. I do everything by fair means. Give me a free hand and I’ll negotiate with the Robots.

Busman. Fairly. I do everything fairly. Let me handle it, and I’ll negotiate with the Robots.

Domin. By fair means?

Domin. By fair methods?

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—”

Busman. (Stands up) Of course. For example, I’ll say to them: “Honored and respected Robots, you have everything. You have intelligence, you have power, you have guns. But all we have is one interesting document, 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.)

Domin. Rossum’s manuscript? (All show interest. Gall is at C., near the couch. Hallemeier is at the 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.)

Busman. Yes. “And that,” I’ll tell them, “contains an account of your glorious origins, the noble process of your manufacture, and so on. Worthy Robots, without this scribble on that paper, you won’t be able to produce a single new colleague. In another twenty years, there won’t be a single living Robot you could display in a zoo. My esteemed friends, that would be a great blow to you. But let all of us human beings on Rossum’s Island board that ship, and we will give you the factory and the secret of the process in return. You let us get away, and we will let you 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.

Busman. Yes, I do. If not in a friendly way, then either we sell it or they’ll find it. It’s up to you.

Domin. Busman, we can destroy Rossum’s manuscript.

Busman. Then we destroy everything—not only the manuscript but ourselves. Just as you think fit.

Busman. Then we destroy everything, not just the manuscript but ourselves too. Whatever you think is best.

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—

Domin. There are over thirty of us on this island. Should we sell the secret? Should we save that many lives at the risk of enslaving humanity?

Busman. Why, you’re mad. Who’d sell the whole manuscript?

Busman. You’re crazy. Who’d sell the whole manuscript?

Domin. Busman, no cheating! (To L.C. table.)

Busman. Well then, sell, but afterwards—

Busman. All right, sell, but afterward...

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.

Busman. Let’s suppose this happens. Once we’re on board the Ultimus, I’ll plug my ears with cotton and lie down somewhere in the hold. Then you’ll aim the guns at the factory and blow it to pieces, and with it Rossum’s secret.

Fabry. (Rises) No!

Fabry. (Stands up) No!

Domin. Busman, you’re no—gentleman. If we sell them it will be a straight sale.

Domin. Busman, you’re no gentleman. If we sell them, it will be an outright sale.

Busman. (Rises) It’s in the interest of humanity to—

Busman. (Rises) It’s in humanity’s interest to...

Domin. It’s in the interest of humanity to keep our word—

Domin. It’s in humanity’s interest for us to keep our word.

Hallemeier. Oh, come, what rubbish!

Hallemeier. Oh, come on, that's nonsense!

Domin. This is a fearful decision. We are selling the destiny of mankind. Are we to sell or destroy? Fabry?

Domin. This is a terrible decision. We are selling the fate of humanity. Should we sell or destroy? Fabry?

Fabry. Sell.

Domin. Gall?

Dr. Gall. Sell.

Domin. Hallemeier?

Hallemeier. Sell, of course.

Domin. Alquist?

Alquist. As God wills.

Alquist. As God wishes.

Domin. (Starts off R.) Very well, gentlemen.

Domin. (Starts off R.) All right, 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.)

Domin. (Stops. To her) No, child. (Starting R.) Don’t worry about it. (He pats her shoulder.)

Fabry. Who’ll do the negotiating?

Fabry. Who’ll negotiate?

Busman. I will. (Up to window.)

Busman. I will. (Goes to the window.)

Domin. Wait till I bring the manuscript. (Domin goes out R.)

Domin. Wait until I bring the manuscript. (Domin goes out R.)

Helena. (Rises) Harry, don’t go! (Helena sits. All look at her. Pause.)

Helena. (Stands up) Harry, don’t go! (Helena sits down. Everyone looks 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—

Fabry. (Looking out the window) Oh, to escape you, you matter in revolt! Oh, to keep human life alive, even if only on a single ship...

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.

Dr. Gall. Don’t be afraid. (Going to the back of the couch) Madame Helena. We’ll sail far away from here. We’ll start our lives 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.

Fabry. (Crosses to L. of Gall) It isn’t too late. (Going to L. of her chair) It will be a small country with one ship. Alquist will build us a house, and you’ll rule over us.

Hallemeier. (Crosses to L. of Fabry) Madame Helena, Fabry’s right.

Hallemeier. (Crosses to the left 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.)

Busman. Good! (Crosses to the left of the L.C. table) I don’t mind starting all over again. That suits me perfectly. (Going through papers on the 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.

Fabry. And our little state could be the center of life in the future. It could be a refuge where we gather strength. In just a few hundred years, we could conquer the world again.

Alquist. You believe that even today?

Alquist. Do you still believe that today?

Fabry. Yes!

Busman. Amen. You see, Madame Helena, we’re not so badly off.

Busman. Amen. You see, Madame Helena, we’re not doing so badly.

Domin. (Storms into R. To R. of couch. Hoarsely) Where’s old Rossum’s manuscript? (To R.C.)

Domin. (Storms in from R. To the R. of the couch. Hoarsely) Where’s old Rossum’s manuscript? (To R.C.)

Busman. In your strong-box, of course.

Busman. In your safe, of course.

Domin. Someone—has—stolen it!

Domin. Someone... has... stolen it!

Dr. Gall. Impossible.

Domin. Who has stolen it?

Domin. Who stole 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.

Helena. Harry, I’ll tell you everything. Just forgive me.

Domin. Where did you put it?

Helena. (Pointing to fireplace) This morning—I burnt—the two copies.

Helena. (Pointing to fireplace) This morning... I burned... the two copies.

Domin. Burnt them? Where—in the fireplace? (Goes to fireplace, followed by Fabry, Hallemeier and Busman.)

Domin. Burned them? Where, in the fireplace? (Goes to the fireplace, followed by Fabry, Hallemeier and Busman.)

Helena. (Throwing herself on her knees. By sofa, facing upstage) For Heaven’s sake, Harry.

Helena. (Dropping to her knees. By the 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.)

Domin. (Going to the fireplace) Nothing. Nothing but ashes. Wait, what’s this? (Picks up a charred piece of paper and reads, “By adding.” Fabry, Gall and Hallemeier move closer to him.)

Dr. Gall. Let’s see. “By adding biogen to—” That’s all.

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.)

Dr. Gall. (Carrying paper downstage and dropping it) Yes. (Gall crosses to left center. Hallemeier to the right of the left center table. Fabry to the window. Busman to the left of the left center table.)

Busman. God in Heaven! (Sits L. of table.)

Busman. God in Heaven! (Sits to the left of the table.)

Domin. Then we’re done for. Get up, Helena.

Helena. Then you’ve forgiven me?

Helena. So you’ve forgiven me?

Domin. Get up, child. I can’t bear—

Domin. Get up, child. I can’t bear it...

Fabry. (Lifting her up) Please don’t torture us.

Helena. Harry, what have I done?

Fabry. (Coming to Helena) Don’t, Madame Helena.

Fabry. (Going to Helena) Don’t, Madame Helena.

Domin. (Takes Helena to couch. She sits.) Gall, you couldn’t draw up Rossum’s formula from memory?

Domin. (Leads Helena to the couch. She sits.) Gall, couldn’t you write down Rossum’s formula from memory?

Dr. Gall. It’s out of the question. Even with my recent experiments, I couldn’t work without referring to the formula— (At L.C.) It’s extremely complicated.

Dr. Gall. It’s impossible. Even with my recent experiments, I couldn’t work without referring to the formula. (At L.C.) It’s extremely complicated.

Domin. Try. All our lives depend upon it.

Domin. Try. All our lives depend on it.

Dr. Gall. Without experiments it’s impossible.

Dr. Gall. Without experiments, it’s impossible.

Domin. And with experiments?

Domin. And what about experiments?

Dr. Gall. It might take years. Besides, I’m not old Rossum.

Busman. God in Heaven! God in Heaven!

Busman. God in heaven! God in heaven!

Domin. (Up to fireplace) So then this was the greatest triumph of the human intellect. These ashes.

Domin. (Goes up to the fireplace) So this was the greatest triumph of the human intellect. These ashes.

Helena. Harry, what have I done?

Domin. (Comes to her) Why did you burn it?

Helena. I have destroyed you.

Busman. God in Heaven!

Busman. Oh, God!

Domin. (Sits R. of her) Helena, why did you do it, dear?

Domin. (Sits to the right of her) Helena, why did you do it, dear?

Helena. I wanted all of us to go away. I wanted to put an end to the factory and everything. It was so awful.

Helena. I wanted us all to leave. I wanted to shut down the factory and end everything. It was so awful.

Domin. What was awful?

Helena. That children had stopped being born. Because human beings were not needed to do the work of the world. That’s why—

Helena. That children had stopped being born. Because people were no longer needed to do the world's work. That's why...

Domin. Is that what you were thinking of? Well, perhaps in your own way you are right.

Domin. Is that what you had in mind? Well, perhaps you're right in your own way.

Busman. Wait a bit. (Rising) Good God, what a fool I am not to have thought of it before.

Busman. Wait a minute. (Standing up) Good God, what a fool I am for not thinking of it sooner.

Hallemeier. What?

Busman. Five hundred and twenty millions in bank-notes and checks. Half a billion in our safe. They’ll sell for half a billion—for half a billion they’ll— (Crosses to Domin.)

Busman. Five hundred and twenty million in banknotes and checks. Half a billion in our safe. They’ll sell for half a billion. For half a billion they’ll... (Crosses to Domin.)

Dr. Gall. Are you mad, Busman?

Dr. Gall. Are you crazy, Busman?

Busman. I may not be a gentleman, but for a half a billion— (Crosses back to L.)

Busman. I may not be a gentleman, but for half a billion... (Crosses back to L.)

Domin. Where are you going? (Gall clutches Busman.)

Busman. Leave me alone. Leave me alone! Good God, for half a billion anything can be bought. (Gall and Hallemeier after him, then stop. He rushes out L.2. Fabry, Gall and Hallemeier to window.)

Busman. Leave me alone. Leave me alone! Good God, you can buy anything for half a billion. (Gall and Hallemeier follow him, then stop. He rushes out L.2. Fabry, Gall and Hallemeier go to the window.)

Fabry. They stand there as if turned to stone—waiting as if something dreadful could be wrought by their silence—

Fabry. They stand there as if turned to stone, waiting as if their silence could bring about something dreadful.

Hallemeier. (Looking out window) The spirit of the mob.

Hallemeier. (Looking out the window) The spirit of the mob.

Fabry. Yes. It hovers above them like a quivering of the air.

Fabry. Yes. It hovers above them like a trembling in the air.

Helena. Oh, God! Doctor Gall, this is ghastly!

Helena. Oh, God! Doctor Gall, this is horrible!

Fabry. There is nothing more terrible than the mob. The one in front is their leader. (Domin crosses to window.)

Fabry. Nothing is more terrifying than a mob. The one in front is their leader. (Domin crosses to window.)

Helena. (Rises) Which one? (Rushing to window.)

Helena. (Stands up) Which one? (Rushing to the window.)

Hallemeier. Point him out.

Fabry. (L. window) The one at the edge of the dock. This morning I saw him talking to the sailors in the harbor.

Helena. Doctor Gall, that’s Radius. (Backing into the room, horror-stricken.)

Helena. Doctor Gall, that’s Radius. (Backing into the room, horrified.)

Dr. Gall. Yes.

Domin. Radius! Radius!

Hallemeier. Could you get him from here, Fabry?

Fabry. I hope so.

Hallemeier. Try it, then.

Hallemeier. Then try it.

Fabry. Good— (Draws his revolver and takes his aim.)

Fabry. Good. (Draws his revolver and aims.)

Helena (To Fabry) Fabry, don’t shoot him.

Fabry. He’s their leader.

Dr. Gall. Fire! (Standing above table L.C.)

Dr. Gall. Fire! (Standing above the table L.C.)

Helena. Fabry, I beg of you. (She goes to Fabry and holds his arm.)

Helena. Fabry, please. (She goes to Fabry and holds his arm.)

Fabry. (Pause. Lowering the revolver) Very well.

Fabry. (Pause. Lowering the revolver) All right.

Domin. It was Radius’ life I spared.

Domin. I spared Radius’ life.

Dr. Gall. Do you think that a Robot can be grateful? (Pause.)

Dr. Gall. Do you think a Robot can be grateful? (Pause.)

Fabry. Busman’s going out to them.

Fabry. Busman is going out to them.

Hallemeier. He’s carrying something. Papers. That’s money. Bundles of money. What’s that for?

Domin. Surely he doesn’t want to sell his life. (He rushes to window C.) Busman, have you gone mad?

Domin. He surely doesn’t want to sell his life. (He rushes to window C.) Busman, have you gone crazy?

Fabry. He’s running up to the railing. Busman. Busman.

Hallemeier. (Yelling) Busman, come back.

Fabry. He’s talking to the Robots. He’s showing them the money.

Hallemeier. He’s pointing to us.

Helena. He wants to buy us off.

Fabry. He’d better not touch the railing.

Hallemeier. Now he’s waving his arms about.

Hallemeier. Now he’s waving his arms around.

Domin. Busman, come back!

Fabry. Busman, keep away from that railing. Don’t touch it, damn you. Quick, switch off the current. (Domin runs to L. Helena screams and All drop back from the window.) The current has killed him.

Fabry. Busman, stay away from that railing. Don’t touch it, damn you. Quick, turn off the current. (Domin runs to L. Helena screams and All step back from the window.) The current has killed him.

Alquist. (Pause) The first one. (Still in chair down R. Helena sits in chair at window.)

Alquist. (Pause) The first one. (Still in the chair downstage right. Helena sits in a chair by the window.)

Fabry. Dead, with half a billion by his side. (Crosses down to table L.C.)

Fabry. Dead, with half a billion beside him. (Walks to the table L.C.)

Hallemeier. All honor to him. He wanted to buy us life. (Crosses to chair L. Pause. WIND machine begin.)

Hallemeier. All honor to him. He wanted to buy us life. (Moves to chair L. Pause. WIND machine starts.)

Dr. Gall. Do you hear?

Domin. A roaring. Like a wind. (To L.)

Domin. A roaring sound. Like wind. (To L.)

Dr. Gall. Like a storm.

Fabry. (Lighting the table lamp at table L.C.) The dynamo is still going—our people are still there.

Fabry. (Turning on the table lamp at table L.C.) The dynamo is still running. Our people are still there.

Hallemeier. It was a great thing to be a man. (Facing lamp from up C.) There was something immense about it.

Hallemeier. It was a great thing to be a man. (Facing the lamp from up C.) There was something immense about being a man.

Fabry. (Facing the lamp) From man’s thought and man’s power came this light, our last hope. (Leaning over lamp.)

Fabry. (Facing the lamp) Human thought and power created this light, our last hope. (Leaning over lamp.)

Hallemeier. (Facing lamp) Man’s power! May it keep watch over us. (Leaning over lamp.)

Hallemeier. (Facing lamp) Man’s power! May it watch over us. (Leaning over lamp.)

Alquist. (Facing lamp) Man’s power.

Alquist. (Facing the lamp) Human power.

Domin. (At corner of table down L.C. Facing lamp) Yes! A torch to be given from hand to hand from age to age forever! (The LAMP goes out. EXPLOSIONS.)

Domin. (At the corner of the table, down L.C. Facing the lamp) Yes! A torch to be passed from hand to hand, from age to age, forever! (The LAMP goes out. EXPLOSIONS.)

Hallemeier. The end.

Fabry. The electric works have fallen! (Terrific EXPLOSIONS outside. More EXPLOSIONS.)

Fabry. The power plant has fallen! (HUGE EXPLOSIONS outside. More EXPLOSIONS.)

Domin. In here, Helena. (He takes Helena off through door R. and re-enters) Now quickly! Who’ll be on the lower doorway?

Domin. In here, Helena. (He leads Helena out through the door on the right and returns) Now, quickly! Who’ll guard the lower doorway?

Dr. Gall. I will. (Rushes out L.2.)

Domin. (Near couch) Who on the stairs?

Domin. (Near couch) Who's on the stairs?

Fabry. I will. You go with her. (Going out L.2.)

Domin. The ante room?

Domin. The waiting room?

Alquist. I will. (He rises and goes toward the L.1.)

Alquist. I will. (He stands and goes toward L.1.)

Domin. Have you got a revolver?

Domin. Do you have a revolver?

Alquist. Yes, but I won’t shoot.

Domin. What will you do, then?

Domin. What will you do then?

Alquist. (Going out L.1) Die.

Hallemeier. I’ll stay here. (EXPLOSIONS. Rapid firing of MACHINE GUN from below.) Go to her, Harry.

Hallemeier. I’ll stay here. (EXPLOSIONS. Rapid MACHINE GUN fire from below.) Go to her, Harry.

Domin. Yes, in a second. (Gets from fireplace and examines two Browning guns.)

Domin. Yes, in a second. (Takes two Browning guns from the fireplace and examines them.)

(WARN Curtain.)

Hallemeier. Confound it, go to her.

Hallemeier. Damn it, go to her.

Domin. Goodbye. (Exits R.)

Hallemeier. (Alone) Now for a barricade quickly! (Drags an armchair, sofa and table to R. door) The damned devils, they’ve got bombs. I must put up a defense. Even if—even if— Don’t give in, Gall. (As he builds his barricade) I mustn’t give in—without—a—struggle. (A Robot enters through windows at back. The Robot jumps down from balcony and stabs Hallemeier in the back. Enter Radius from balcony.)

Hallemeier. (Alone) Quick, I need a barricade! (Drags an armchair, sofa and table to the R. door) Those damned devils have bombs. I have to defend myself. Even if, even if... Don’t give in, Gall. (As he builds his barricade) I mustn’t give in without a struggle. (A Robot enters through the windows at the back. The Robot jumps down from the balcony and stabs Hallemeier in the back. Enter Radius from the balcony.)

Robot. (Standing up from prostrate form of Hallemeier) Yes. (Other Robots enter from all doors. A revolver SHOT off L.)

Robot. (Standing up from beside the fallen Hallemeier) Yes. (Other Robots enter through all the doors. A revolver SHOT is heard offstage left.)

Radius. Finished them all—

Radius. Finished them all.

Robots. Yes, yes, yes.

Two Robots. (Dragging in Alquist L.1) He didn’t shoot. Shall we kill him?

Two Robots. (Dragging in Alquist L.1) He didn’t shoot. Should we kill him?

Radius. No. Leave him!

Radius. No. Leave him alone!

Robot. He is a man!

Radius. He works with his hands like the Robots.

Alquist. Kill me.

Radius. You will work! You will build for us! You will serve us! (Radius climbs on the balcony) Robots of the world— (Robots straighten up.) the power of man has fallen. A new world has arisen, the rule of the Robots, march. (On the line: “Robots of the world” All Robots turn quickly, automatically to attention, facing Radius, who is standing. On the words: “The rule of the Robots,” they stand there with their arms vibrating high in the air. They form in two lines, turn to audience and march mechanically to the footlights. As they are about to step over the footlights, as if into the audience, all LIGHTS go out. The Robots immediately step back from the Curtain line as the Curtain falls.)

Radius. You will work! You will build for us! You will serve us! (Radius climbs onto the balcony) Robots of the world, (Robots straighten up.) the power of man has fallen. A new world has risen, the rule of the Robots. March. (At the words: “Robots of the world” All Robots quickly and automatically stand at attention, facing Radius, who is standing. At the words: “The rule of the Robots,” they stand with their arms raised high and vibrating. They form two lines, turn to face the audience, and march mechanically to the footlights. They are about to step over the footlights, as if into the audience, when all LIGHTS go out. The Robots immediately step back from the Curtain line as the Curtain falls.)

CURTAIN