Epilogue

8 min

Scene: The epilogue setting is the same as used in Act I. Instead of it being Domin’s office, it is now become a laboratory for Alquist. A big chair facing up stage, down Right. A desk laden with books at Right Center. A chair at the desk. At Left Center is a white enamel table containing test tubes, glass bottles, and a microscope on downstage table. A door down L. A door down R., leading into dissecting room.

Scene: The epilogue is set in the same room as Act I. Instead of Domin’s office, it is now Alquist’s laboratory. A large chair at downstage right faces upstage. A desk covered with books stands at center right, with a chair at it. At center left is a white enamel table. Test tubes, glass bottles, and a microscope are on the downstage table. There is a door at downstage left. Another door at downstage right leads into the dissecting room.

Alquist. (Seated at table R.C., turning pages of book) Oh, God, shall I never find it? Never? Gall, Hallemeier, Fabry, how were the Robots made? Why did you leave not a trace of the secret? Lord, if there are no human beings left, at least let there be Robots. At least the shadow of man. (Turning pages) If I could only sleep. Dare I sleep before life has been renewed? Night again. Are the stars still there? Of what use are the stars? When there are no human beings. (Examining a test tube) Nothing. No. No. I must find it. I must search. I must never stop, never stop—search—search— (KNOCK at door L.) Who is it? (Enter a Robot Servant.)

Alquist. (Seated at table R.C., turning pages of book) Oh, God, will I never find it? Never? Gall, Hallemeier, Fabry, how were the Robots made? Why didn't you leave a trace of the secret? Lord, if there are no human beings left, at least let there be Robots. At least the shadow of man. (Turning pages) If only I could sleep. Dare I sleep before life has been renewed? Night again. Are the stars still there? What use are the stars when there are no human beings? (Examining a test tube) Nothing. No. No. I must find it. I must search. I must never stop, never stop. Search. Search. (KNOCK at door L.) Who is it? (Enter a Robot Servant.)

Servant. Master, the committee of Robots is waiting to see you.

Alquist. I can see no one.

Alquist. I can't see anyone.

Servant. It is the Central Committee, Master, just arrived from abroad.

Servant. It is the Central Committee, Master. They have just arrived from abroad.

Alquist. Well, well, send them in. (Exit Servant L.) No time—so little done. (Re-enter Servant with Radius and group of Robots. They stand in group L. and C., silently waiting.) What do you want? Be quick; I have no time.

Alquist. All right, send them in. (Exit Servant L.) No time. So little done. (Re-enter Servant with Radius and a group of Robots. They stand in a group L. and C., waiting silently.) What do you want? Be quick. I have no time.

Radius. Master, the machines will not do the work. We cannot manufacture Robots. (Other Robots remain two abreast at L.C., right foot forward.)

Radius. Master, the machines won't work. We cannot make Robots. (The other Robots remain in pairs at L.C., with their right feet forward.)

1st Robot. We have striven with all our might. We have obtained a billion tons of coal from the earth. Nine million spindles are running by day and by night. There is no longer room for all we have made. This we have accomplished in one year.

1st Robot. We have worked with all our might. We have taken a billion tons of coal from the earth. Nine million spindles are running day and night. There is no longer room for everything we have made. We have accomplished all this in one year.

Alquist. For whom?

Alquist. Who for?

Radius. For future generations—so we thought. But we cannot make Robots to follow us. The machines produce only shapeless clods. The skin will not adhere to the flesh, nor the flesh to the bones.

Radius. For future generations, or so we thought. But we cannot make Robots to come after us. The machines produce only shapeless lumps. The skin will not stick to the flesh, and the flesh will not stick to the bones.

2nd Robot. Eight million Robots have died this year. Within twenty years none will be left.

2nd Robot. Eight million Robots have died this year. In twenty years, none will be left.

1st Robot. Tell us the secret of life.

Radius. Silence is punishable with death.

Radius. Silence is punishable by death.

Alquist. Kill me, then.

Radius. (Two steps to C., followed by Others—open hands, close when stopped) Through me, the governments of the Robots of the world commands you to deliver up Rossum’s formula. (Gesture of despair from Alquist.) Name your price. (Silence) We will give you the earth. We will give you the endless possessions of the earth. (Silence) Make your own conditions.

Radius. (Takes two steps toward C., followed by Others, their hands open until they stop) I speak for the governments of the Robots of the world. They command you to hand over Rossum’s formula. (Gesture of despair from Alquist.) Name your price. (Silence) We will give you the earth. We will give you the earth’s endless possessions. (Silence) Set your own terms.

Alquist. I have told you to find human beings.

Alquist. I told you to find human beings.

Radius. There are none left.

Alquist. I told you to search in the wilderness, upon the mountains.

Alquist. I told you to search in the wilderness, on the mountains.

Radius. We have sent ships and expeditions without number. They have been everywhere in the world. There is not a single human left.

Radius. We have sent countless ships and expeditions. They have been everywhere in the world. Not a single human is left.

Alquist. Not even one? Why did you destroy them?

Radius. We had learnt everything and could do everything. It had to be.

Radius. We had learned everything and could do everything. It had to happen.

2nd Robot. We had to become the masters.

Radius. Slaughter and domination are necessary if you would be human beings. Read history.

Radius. Slaughter and domination are necessary if you want to be human. Read history.

1st Robot. Teach us to multiply or we perish.

1st Robot. Teach us to reproduce, or we will die.

Alquist. If you desire to live, you must breed like animals.

Alquist. If you want to live, you must breed like animals.

1st Robot. You made us sterile. We cannot beget children. Therefore, teach us how to make Robots.

1st Robot. You made us sterile. We cannot have children. So teach us how to make Robots.

Radius. Why do you keep from us the secret of our own increase?

Radius. Why do you keep the secret of how we reproduce from us?

Alquist. It is lost.

Radius. It was written down.

Alquist. It was— (Rising) burnt. (All draw back one step in consternation.) I am the last human being, Robots, and I do not know what the others knew. (Sits.)

Alquist. It was... (Standing up) burned. (All step back in shock.) I am the last human being, Robots. I do not know what the others knew. (Sits down.)

Radius. Then make experiments. Evolve the formula again.

Radius. Then conduct experiments. Develop the formula again.

Alquist. I tell you I cannot. I am only a builder. I work with my hands. I have never been a learned man. I cannot create life.

Alquist. I’m telling you, I can’t. I’m only a builder. I work with my hands. I’ve never been a scholar. I can’t create life.

Radius. Try. Try.

Alquist. If you only knew how many experiments I have made already.

Alquist. If you only knew how many experiments I've already done.

1st Robot. Then show us what we must do. The Robots can do anything that human beings show them.

1st Robot. Then show us what to do. The Robots can do anything human beings show them how to do.

Alquist. I can show you nothing. Nothing I do will make life proceed from these test tubes.

Alquist. I have nothing to show you. Nothing I do will bring life from these test tubes.

Radius. Experiment, then, on live Robots. Experiment, then, on us.

Radius. Then experiment on live Robots. Experiment on us.

Alquist. It would kill you.

Radius. You shall have all you need. A hundred of us. A thousand of us.

Radius. You will have all you need. A hundred of us. A thousand of us.

Alquist. No, no. Stop, stop.

Radius. I tell you to take live bodies. Find out how we are made.

Radius. I’m telling you to take live bodies. Find out how we’re made.

Alquist. Am I to commit murder? See how my finger shakes. I cannot even hold the scalpel. No, no, I will not.

Alquist. Am I supposed to commit murder? Look how my finger shakes. I can't even hold the scalpel. No, no, I won't.

Radius. Take live bodies, live bodies. (Walks toward Alquist.)

Radius. Take living bodies, living bodies. (Walks toward Alquist.)

Alquist. Have mercy, Robots.

Radius. Live bodies. (Right hand up over Alquist. All Robots’ left arms still back.)

Radius. Living bodies. (Right hand raised over Alquist. All Robots’ left arms still held back.)

Alquist. (Rising) You will have it. Into the dissecting with you, then (Hits Radius on the chest. Radius draws back.) Ah, you are afraid of death.

Alquist. (Standing up) You will have it. Then off to the dissection room with you. (Hits Radius on the chest. Radius draws back.) Ah, you're afraid of death.

Radius. I? Why should I be chosen?

Radius. Me? Why should I be chosen?

Alquist. So you will not.

Alquist. So you won't.

Radius. I will.

Alquist. Strip him. Lay him on the table. (Radius goes off R., both fists closed. Other Robots follow, then Alquist) God, give me strength. God, give me strength. If only this murder is not in vain.

Alquist. Strip him. Lay him on the table. (Radius goes off R., both fists clenched. The other Robots follow, then Alquist) God, give me strength. God, give me strength. If only this murder is not for nothing.

Radius. (Off R.) Ready, begin.

Radius. (Offstage right.) Ready, begin.

Alquist. (Off R.) God, give me strength. (Comes on, horrified) No, no. I will not. I cannot. (Sits R.C.)

Alquist. (Off R.) God, give me strength. (Enters, horrified) No, no. I won't. I can't. (Sits R.C.)

1st Robot. (Appearing in door) The Robots are stronger than you. (Exits R.)

1st Robot. (Appearing in the doorway) The Robots are stronger than you. (Exits R.)

Alquist. Oh, Lord, let not mankind perish from the earth. (Falls asleep, and after the count of ten, Primus and Helena, hand in hand, enter L. and go to R.C.; look at Alquist.)

Alquist. Oh, Lord, please don't let humanity die out. (Falls asleep, and after a count of ten, Primus and Helena enter hand in hand from L. and go to R.C. They look at Alquist.)

Helena. The man has fallen asleep, Primus.

Primus. Yes, I know. (Crosses to L. of table L.C.) Look, Helena.

Helena. All these little tubes. What does he do with them?

Primus. He experiments. Don’t touch them.

Helena. I’ve seen him looking into this.

Primus. That is a microscope.

Helena. Look, Primus, what are all these figures? (Turns a page in book on table.)

Helena. Look, Primus, what are all these figures? (Turns a page in the book on the table.)

Primus. (Examining the book) That is the book the old man is always reading. (SUNRISE.)

Primus. (Examining the book) That's the book the old man is always reading. (SUNRISE.)

Helena. I do not understand those things. (Goes to window) Primus.

Helena. I don't understand those things. (Goes to window) Primus.

Primus. (Still at table) What?

Primus. (Still at the table) What?

Helena. The sun is rising.

Primus. (Still reading) I believe this is the most important thing in the world, Helena. This is the secret of life.

Helena. Oh, Primus, don’t bother with the secret of life. What does it matter to you? Come and look quick.

Helena. Oh, Primus, don’t worry about the secret of life. What does it matter to you? Come and look, quickly.

Primus. (Goes to R. of window) What is it?

Primus. (Goes to the right of the window) What is it?

Helena. See how beautiful the sun is rising. I feel so strange today. It’s as if I was in a dream. I feel an aching in my body, in my heart, all over me. Primus, perhaps I’m going to die.

Helena. Look how beautiful the sunrise is. I feel so strange today. It’s as if I’m in a dream. I ache in my body, in my heart, all over. Primus, perhaps I’m going to die.

Primus. Do you not sometimes feel that it would be better to die? You know, perhaps even now we are only sleeping. Last night in my sleep I again spoke to you.

Primus. Don't you sometimes feel it would be better to die? You know, perhaps we're only sleeping even now. Last night, I spoke to you again in my sleep.

Helena. In your sleep?

Primus. Yes. We spoke a strange new language.

Helena. What about?

Primus. I did not understand it myself, and yet I know I have never said anything more beautiful. And when I touched you I could have died. Even the place was different from any other place in the world.

Primus. I didn't understand it myself, but I know I've never said anything more beautiful. And when I touched you, I could have died. Even the place was different from anywhere else in the world.

Helena. I, too, have found a place, Primus. It is very strange. Human beings dwelt there once, but now it is overgrown with weeds.

Helena. I found a place too, Primus. It's very strange. People once lived there, but now it's overgrown with weeds.

Primus. What did you find there?

Helena. A cottage and a garden and two dogs. They licked my hands, Primus, and their puppies. Oh, Primus, take them in your arms and fondle them and think of nothing and care for nothing else all day long, and when I am there in the garden I feel there may be something— What am I for, Primus?

Helena. A cottage, a garden, and two dogs. They and their puppies licked my hands, Primus. Oh, Primus, hold them in your arms and pet them. Think of nothing and care about nothing else all day long. And when I'm there in the garden, I feel there may be something... What am I for, Primus?

Primus. I do not know, but you are beautiful.

Primus. I don't know, but you're beautiful.

Helena. What, Primus?

Primus. You are beautiful, Helena, and I am stronger than all the Robots.

Primus. You're beautiful, Helena, and I'm stronger than all the Robots.

Helena. Am I beautiful? Of what use is it to be beautiful? Look, your head is different from mine. So are your shoulders—and your lips. Oh, your hair is mussed. I will smooth it. (Keeps her hand on his head) No one else feels to my touch as you do.

Helena. Am I beautiful? What use is it to be beautiful? Look, your head is different from mine. So are your shoulders and your lips. Oh, your hair is messy. I'll smooth it down. (Keeps her hand on his head) No one else feels the way you do when I touch them.

Primus. (Embarrassing her) Do you not sometimes feel your heart beating suddenly, Helena, and think how something must happen?

Primus. (Embarrassing her) Helena, do you ever feel your heart suddenly start beating and think that something must happen?

Helena. What could happen to us, Primus? Look at yourself. (Laughs.)

Alquist. (Awakes) Laughter? Laughter, human beings. (Getting up) Who has returned? Who are you?

Alquist. (Wakes up) Laughter? Laughter, human beings. (Getting up) Who has come back? Who are you?

Primus. The Robot Primus.

Alquist. (To Helena) What? A Robot? Who are you?

Helena. The Robotess Helena. (Shies away L.)

Alquist. What? You are timid, shy? (Starts to touch her) Let me see you, Robotess.

Alquist. What? Are you timid, shy? (Starts to touch her) Let me see you, Robotess.

Primus. Sir, do not frighten her. (Steps forward.)

Primus. Sir, don't scare her. (Steps forward.)

Alquist. What, you would protect her? Laughter—timidity—protection—I must test you further. Take the girl into the dissecting room.

Alquist. What, you would protect her? Laughter, shyness, protection. I need to test you further. Take the girl into the dissecting room.

Primus. Why?

Alquist. I wish to experiment on her.

Alquist. I want to experiment on her.

Primus. Upon—Helena?

Primus. On... Helena?

Alquist. Of course. Don’t you hear me? Or must I call someone else to take her in?

Alquist. Of course. Don’t you hear me? Or do I have to call someone else to take her in?

Primus. If you do, I will kill you. (Steps toward Alquist.)

Primus. If you do, I'll kill you. (Steps toward Alquist.)

(WARN Curtain.)

Alquist. Kill me—kill me, then. What will your future be?

Alquist. Kill me, then. Kill me. What will your future be?

Primus. Sir, take me. I am made on the same day as she is. Take my life, sir. (Step to Alquist.)

Primus. Sir, take me. I was made on the same day as she was. Take my life, sir. (Steps toward Alquist.)

Helena. No, no, you shall not.

Helena. No, no, you won't.

Alquist. Wait, girl, wait. (To Primus) Do you not wish to live, then?

Alquist. Wait, girl, wait. (To Primus) Don't you want to live, then?

Primus. Not without her. I will not live without her.

Primus. Not without her. I won't live without her.

Alquist. Very well, I will use you. Into the dissecting room with you.

Alquist. All right, I’ll use you. Get into the dissecting room.

Helena. Primus. Primus. (She bursts into tears and moves R. Alquist stops her.)

Alquist. Child, child, you can weep. Tears. What is Primus to you? One Primus more or less in the world—what does it matter?

Alquist. Child, child, you can cry. Tears. What is Primus to you? What does it matter if there is one more or one less Primus in the world?

Helena. I will go myself.

Helena. I'll go myself.

Alquist. Where? Into the dissecting room?

Alquist. Where? Into the dissection room?

Helena. (Crosses to R.) Yes. In there—to be cut. (Primus stops her from going.) Let me pass, Primus, let me pass.

Helena. (Crosses to R.) Yes. In there, to be cut. (Primus stops her from going.) Let me through, Primus, let me through.

Primus. You shall not go in there, Helena.

Primus. You can't go in there, Helena.

Helena. If you go in there and I do not, I will kill myself.

Helena. If you go in there and I don't, I'll kill myself.

Primus. (To Alquist) I will not let you. Man you shall kill neither of us.

Primus. (To Alquist) I won't let you. Man, you won't kill either of us.

Alquist. Why?

Primus. We—we—belong to each other.

Primus. We, we belong to each other.

Alquist. Go. (Exit Primus and Helena L.) Adam—Eve.

Alquist. Go. (Exit Primus and Helena L.) Adam. Eve.

CURTAIN

The end