Act One

 

(Helena's living room.  Stage left, wallpapered door to music room, right, door to bedroom.  Centre, windowoverlooking  sea and harbour. Dressing table with sundry items, table, settee and armchair, chest o'drawers, desk withstandard lamp, fireplace to the right, also with standard lamp.  Whole room, in detail, of modern and purely femininecharacter )

(enter Domin, Fabry, Hallemeier from left on tiptoe carrying armfuls of plants and flowers )

Fabry Where do you think we should put them?

Hallemeier Ouf! (puts down load and gives blessing in a large cross at the door, stageright )  She's asleep, asleep!  She who sleeps knows nothing.

Domin She doesn't know a thing.

Fabry (puts flowers in vase ) Let's hope, at least, today's not the day it happens...

Hallemeier (likewise puts flowers in vase ) Oh don't keep on about it, for God'ssake!  Look at this, Harry, this cyclamen is beautiful.  A new species, my latest one - Cyclamen Helenae.

Domin (looking out of window )  No ships, no ships - it's hopeless, lads,we've had it.  

Hallemeier Quiet!  What if she hears you?

Domin She doesn't know a thing.  (Yawns, as if ill ) At least the Ultimusdocked on time.

Fabry (leaving the flowers ) Do you think it might be today when ...?

Domin I don't know.  These flowers are lovely.

Hallemeier (approaching him ) This primula is one of my new ones, and this is mynew jasmine.  In fact I'm right on the threshold of a whole new Garden of Paradise full of new flowers.  I'vefound a wonderful new way to accelerate development, and all sorts of new species!  Next year I'll be performing realmiracles with flowers!

Domin (turning ) Next year?

Fabry Well, let's see what happens, anyway.  Any news from Le Havre?

Domin Quiet!

(Helena's voice off, right ) Nana!

Domin Everybody out! (everyone leaves on tiptoe through the wallpapered door )

(enter Nana through main door, left )

Nana (tidying up ) Cor, wha' a mess!  What a bunch of  'eathens! God forgive me if I don't ...

Helena (back to stage, in doorway ) Nana, come and zip me up. 

Nana Alrigh', comin, comin. (zips up Helena's dress )  God almighty, they're abunch of animals!

Helena The robots?

Nana Give over, I don't even wanna say the word.

Helena What's happened?

Nana They caught another another of them.  Started smashing up all the moulds andmodels he did, grinding 'is teeth and foamin at the mouth - just went crazy.  Ugh!  Worse than animals, theyare.

Helena Which one was it they caught?

Nana That, that ... Christ!, it 'asn'even got a proper Christian name!  That one in thelibrary.

Helena Radius?

Nana Yeh, that's the one.  God, they make me sick!  Not even a spider I don't hateas much as I hate them heathens.

Helena Don't you even feel sorry for them Nana?

Nana Well you hate them, and all.  What d'you bring me right out here for anyway? Andwhy can't any of them even touch you?

Helena I don't hate them, Nana, not at all, I just feel so sorry for them!

Nana You hate them.  Everyone hates them, it isn't possible not to.  Even this doghates them, won't take a scrap of meat from them; sticks out his tail, he does, and howls as soon as he gets the smell ofthem.

Helena A dog doesn't have reason.

Nana He's better than what they are, Helena.  He knows perfectly well it was God whatmade him and that he's better than they are.  Even the horse takes fright when he comes across one of thoseheathens.  They don't have children, but even a dog has children, everyone has children.

Helena Nana, do me up here, please.

Nana Alright.  It's against the will of God, that's what I say; work of the Devil, itis, making scarecrows like that with machines.  It's blasphemy against the Creator, (raises hands )  it'san offence against the Lord who made us in His own image, Helena.  And you've dishonoured the image of God, that's whatyou've done.  You'll suffer a terrible punishment from God for that, you will, just you remember that, a terriblepunishment. 

Helena What's that nice smell?

Nana Flowers.  The master put them here.

Helena Oh, they're lovely!  Nana, come and look!  What day is it today?

Nana I don't know.  Must be the Day of Judgement, I should think.

(knock at door )

Helena Harry?

(enter Domin )

Helena Harry, what day is it today?

Domin Guess!

Helena My name-day?  No!  My birthday?

Domin Better than that.

Helena I don't know.  Tell me, tell me!

Domin It was ten years ago today that you arrived here.

Helena Ten years, already?  On this day?  - Nana, please ...

Nana Alright, I'm comin! (exit right )

Helena (kisses Domin ) And you remembered it!

Domin Actually, I'm ashamed to say, I didn't remember.

Helena But ...

Domin It was them who remembered.

Helena Who?

Domin Busman, Hallemeier, all of them.  Reach into my pocket, here, will you?

Helena (puts hand into his pocket ) What is it? (takes out case and opensit ) Pearls!  A whole necklace of them!  Harry, is that for me?

Domin That's from Busman.

Helena But ... we can't accept it, can we?

Domin Course we can.  Reach into my other pocket.

Helena Let me see! (takes revolver out of pocket ) What's this?

Domin Oh, sorry. (takes revolver from her and puts it away ) That's not it. Try again.

Helena Oh, Harry - why are you carrying a revolver round with you?

Domin Well, I just am, it got in there somehow

Helena You never used to carry a gun!

Domin No, you're quite right.  Here's the pocket, look..

Helena (reaching in ) A little box! (opens it ) Cameos! And they're ...Harry, they're Greek cameos!

Domin Clearly.  At least that's what Fabry says.

Helena Fabry?  It's Fabry who gave me these?

Domin Course it is. (opens door, left ) And look at this, Helena, come over hereand have a look!

Helena (at the door ) God, that's so beautiful! (runs on ) I'll go madwith happiness!  Is that from you?

Domin (standing at door ) No, that's from Alquist.  And this ...

Helena From Gall! (appears in the doorway ) Oh, Harry, I'm so happy I should beashamed of myself.

Domin Come here.  This is what Hallemeier got you.

Helena These lovely flowers?

Domin This one.  It's a new species, Cyclamen Helenae. He developed it in honour ofyou.  It's as beautiful as you are.

Helena Harry, why ... why did they all ...

Domin Because they're very fond of you.  And I got you ... er .. I'm afraid my presentmight be a bit ... er ... come and look out the window.

Helena Where?

Domin Down in the harbour.

Helena There's ... there's a new boat down there!

Domin That's your boat.

Helena Mine?  Harry, that's a gunboat!

Domin A gunboat?  What makes you think that?  It's just a bit bigger, that's all,a good solid boat, see?

Helena Yes, and fitted with cannons!

Domin Well, its got some cannons, course it has ... you'll travel like a queen, Helena.

Helena Why a gunboat?  Is there something wrong?

Domin God forbid!  Look, try these pearls on! (sits )

Helena Harry, has there been some kind of bad news?

Domin On the contrary - there hasn't been any post at all for a week.

Helena Not even a fax?

Domin Not even a fax.

Helena And what should we make of that?

Domin Nothing.  It means we're on holiday.  A wonderful time.  We all justsit in the office, put our feet on the desk and do nothing.  No post, no telegrams (stretching himself out)  Wonderful!  

Helena (sitting beside him ) You're staying with me today, aren't you.  Tellme you are!

Domin Yes, that's quite certain.  Well, I expect so.  We'll see.  (takesher hand )  Ten years to the day.  Do you remember?  Miss Glory, what an honour it is for us that you'vecome.

Helena Oh, Mister Managing Director, I'm so interested in you factory!

Domin I beg your pardon, Miss Glory, you see it is strictly forbidden to ... you see makingartificial people is a very secret process ...

Helena But what if it's girl who's asking who's slightly pretty ....

Domin But of course, Miss Glory, we have no secrets from you.

Helena (suddenly serious ) Are you sure about that, Harry?

Domin No.  

Helena (again in earlier tone ) But do be careful, sir; this little girl has frightful intentions

Domin Good heavens, Miss Glory, what could that be?  Are you thinking of getting married?

Helena No, no, God forbid!  Not in my wildest dreams!  I've come here with plans to start a revolution among your horrible robots!

Domin (jumping up ) A robot revolution?!

Helena (standing ) Harry, what's wrong?

Domin Haha, Miss Glory, you'll never manage that!  A robot revolution!  You might more easily start a revolution among the nails and bobbins in the spinning mill than among our robots! (sitting )You were a wonderful girl, you know, Helena, you enchanted all of us.

Helena (sitting beside him ) But I felt so daunted by all of you in those days!  I felt like a little girl who'd got lost among ... among ...

Domin Among what, Helena?

Helena Among enormous trees.  You were so confident, so powerful!  And you know,Harry, even after these ten years I've never lost that feeling of  ... that anxiety or something.  And did younever have any doubts?  Not even when everything was going wrong?

Domin What was going wrong?

Helena Your plans, Harry.  When there was that uprising against the robots by theworkers and they started smashing them, and the robots were given weapons to defend themselves and the robots killed so manypeople.  Or when governments started turning robots into soldiers and there was so much war, and all of that.  Youknow.

Domin (stands and walks up and down )   We were expecting that to happen,Helena.  Don't you see, that was just a transitional stage before things would be ... different.

Helena All the world admired you - (standing ) Oh, Harry!

Domin What do you want?

Helena (stops him ) Shut down the factory and let's go away somewhere.  All ofus!

Domin Now what's that got to do with it?

Helena I don't know.  How about it, shall we go?  There's something making me feelso uneasy.

Domin (takes her hand ) What?

Helena Oh, I don't know!  It's as if there's something about to fall down on us andeverything around us, something that can't be taken off again.  Please Harry, let's do it!  Let's just get awayfrom here, all of us!  Let's find somewhere where there are no people, Alquist can build a house for us, everyone canget married and have children, and then ...

Domin What then?

Helena Then we can start all over again.

(telephone rings )

Domin (pulls himself away ) Helena, excuse me. (picks up receiver ) Hello ... yes ....What? .... aha .... I'll be right there. (hangs up )  That was Fabry.

Helena (wringing hands ) Tell me ...

Domin Yes, as soon as I get back.  I'll see you later. (rushes out, left )Don't go outside!

Helena (alone ) Oh, my God, what's happening?  Nana, Nana, come quickly!

Nana (enters right ) Yes, what is it now?

Helena Nana, get me the latest papers!  Quick!  They're in the master'sbedroom!

Nana Alrigh'. (exit left )

Helena What's going on, for God's sake?  Nothing, they never tell me anything! (takes binoculars and looks at harbour )  That's a warship!  My God, what's a warship doing there? And what's that they're loading onto it, and in such a hurry?  What's happened?  That name on it;'Ul-ti-mus-'  What's that supposed to mean - 'Ultimus'?

Nana (returns with papers ) Lying about all over the show, they were, all crumpledand screwed up.

Helena (hurriedly opens papers ) They're old, these are already a week old! Nothing, they've got nothing in them.  (drops paper )

(Nana picks up paper, takes horn-rimmed glasses from apron, sits down and reads )

Helena There's something going on, Nana!  I'm so worried!  It's as if everythingwere dead, even the air ...

Nana (syllable by syllable ) "War in the Bal-kans." Oh Jesus, it's God, He'spunishing us again!  And they're gonna come here with their armies and all!  How far away's that, then?

Helena It's a long way away.  Oh don't read that, it's always the same, always the samewars and ....

Nana Well of course it's always about wars!  What d'you expect if they keep sellingthousands and thousands of them heathens to make them into soldiers?  Oh, Jesus Christ, what a mess! 

Helena Just stop reading them, will you!  I don't want to hear about it.

Nana (syllable by syllable ) "Ro-bot sol-diers show no mer-cy to lo-cal pop- ...pop-u-la-tion.  More than sev-en hund-red thou-sand mass-a-cred"  Here, that's people, Helena!

Helena That can't be right!  Let me see ... (leans over paper, reads ) "Morethan seven hundred thousand massacred by order of commander.  These atrocities ..." Do you hear that, Nana, it waspeople who gave them the order to do it!

Nana Wha's this down here in heavy print?  "Lat-est re-ports; first u-nionsest-ab-lished by ro-bots in Le Hav-re"  I don't know what all that's about, can't be important.  What's this,though; another murder!  Jesus Christ!

Helena You can go, Nana, take these papers with you!

Nana Hold on, there's something here in big letters; "pro-cre-a-tion"; what' that then?

Helena Let me see, I'll read it (takes paper ) Well, that's odd! (reading ) "Once again, not a single birth has been recorded during the seven days."  (puts paperdown )

Nana What's all that about then?

Helena Nana, people have stopped having children.

Nana (puts glasses away ) Well that's it then.  We've really had it now.

Helena Please, Nana, don't talk like that!

Nana People stopped having children?  It's a punishment, it's a punishment!  TheGood Lord's punished us by making all the women infertile.

Helena (jumping up ) Nana!

Nana (standing ) It's the end of the world.  You thought you could make peoplelike God, and that was pride the pride of Satan.  Godless, that was, heresy, trying to be like God.  God's alreadythrown people out from Paradise, and now He's doing it out from the whole world.

Helena Nana, please just be quiet!  What do you think it is I've done?  Have Iharmed you, have I done anything to this spiteful Good Lord or yours?

Nana (making large gesture ) Don't you start blaspheming, now!  He knowsperfectly well why he didn't give you no children.  (exit left )

Helena (at window ) Why he didn't ... Oh God, how could I help it?  (openswindow and calls to Alquist )  Hello, Alquist!  Come up here! ... What? ... No, just come up, just as youare!  You look so sweet dressed like a bricklayer!  Hurry! (closes window and stands in front of mirror)  Why didn't He give me children?  Why not me?  (bows down to mirror ) Why not?  Whynot?  Do you hear me?????????????????  How could I help it? (standing upright ) Oh, I'm so worried!(goes out, left, to meet Alquist )

(pause )

Helena (re-enters with Alquist.  Alquist in bricklayers overalls spattered withmortar and brickdust )  Come on in.  It was so nice of you, Alquist.  They're all lovely.  Let mesee your hands.

Alquist (hides hands ) Helena, I'd get you dirty, I've been working.

Helena So much the better.  Show them to me!  (squeezing both his hands )Alquist, I wish I were a little girl.

Alquist Why's that then?

Helena So that these rough, dirty hands could stroke my face.  Alquist, sit down. What does 'Ultimus' mean?

Alquist That means 'the last'.  Why?

Helena That's what my new gunboat is called.  Have you seen it?  Do you think it'stoo soon to ... to go out on a trip on it.

Alquist I think it's much too soon.

Helena All of you treat me like ...

Alquist I just think .. I think everyone ought to be there.

Helena Alquist, tell me, is there something going on?

Alquist Nothing at all.  Just the course of events.

Helena Alquist, I know there's something horrible going on.  I'm so worried. You're a builder - what do builders do when they're worried?

Alquist What I do is I build a wall.  I take off my director of construction's hat andget out there on the scaffolding.

Helena It's years since you've been anywhere but out there on the scaffolding .

Alquist That's because it's years since I haven't been worried.

Helena Worried about what?

Alquist About all this course of events.  It makes me dizzy.

Helena Doesn't it make you dizzy being out on the scaffolding.

Alquist No.  You don't know how good it is to feel the weight of a brick in you hand,slap in into place and tap it down to just where it should be ...

Helena Is that all?

Alquist Well, it does your soul good too.  There's something more decent about layingjust one brick than drawing up plans that are too big.  I'm an old man, Helena, I've got my funny ways.

Helena There's nothing funny about that, Alquist.

Alquist You're right.  But I'm very old fashioned.  I really don't like thisprogress that's going on around us.

Helena You're like Nana.

Alquist Yes, just like Nana.  Does Nana ever pray?

Helena She never stops.

Alquist Does she have prayers for the different things that can happen in a life; prayersagainst hard times, prayers against illness?

Helena Prayers against temptation, prayers against floods, ...

Alquist No prayers against progress though, eh?

Helena No, I don't think so.

Alquist That's a pity.

Helena Do you want to pray?

Alquist I do pray.

Helena How do you pray?

Alquist Something like this: "Dear God, thank you for giving me tiredness.  Dear God,help Domin and all those who stray to see the error of their ways;  destroy their works and help all the people toreturn to work and anxiety; don't let mankind perish; don't let them damage their bodies or their souls; free us from therobots, and protect Helena.  Amen".

Helena Alquist, are you really a believer?

Alquist I don't know; I'm not really sure about anything.

Helena But you pray anyway.

Alquist Yes.  It's better than thinking too much.

Helena And is that enough for you?

Alquist For the peace of your soul - that can be enough.

Helena And if you saw the destruction of mankind ...

Alquist I'm seeing it now.

Helena ... then you'd get out on the scaffolding and lay some more bricks; is that it?

Alquist Then I'd lay some more bricks, say a prayer, and wait for a miracle.  There'snot much more you can do, is there. 

Helena To save mankind?

Alquist For the peace of my soul. 

Helena Well that's certainly brutally honest of you, Alquist, but ...

Alquist But?

Helena ... what about the rest of us, what about the whole world becoming sterile.

Alquist Sterility, Helena, is man's last achievement.

Helena Oh, Alquist, tell me why, why?

Alquist You think I know?

Helena (quietly ) Why have women stopped having children?

Alquist Because there's no need for them.  Because we've entered into paradise. Do you understand what I mean?

Helena No.

Alquist Because there's no need for anyone to work, no need for pain.  No-one needs todo anything, anything at all except enjoy himself.  This paradise, it's just a curse!  (jumping up)  Helena, there's nothing more terrible than giving everyone Heaven on Earth!  You want to know why women havestopped having children?  Because the whole world has become Harry Domin's Sodom!

Helena (standing ) Alquist!

Alquist It has!  It has!  The whole world, all the continents, all of mankind, allof it's just become one bestial orgy!  No-one ever has to reach out his hand for food; he just stuffs it straight inhis mouth without even needing to stand up. Haha, Domin's robots, they always take care of everything!  And us humanbeings, the pinnacle of creation, we don't have to take care of work, we don't have to take care of children, we don't haveto take care of the poor!  Bring in all the fun, quick! Quick! I want it now!  And you think they're going tostart making children?  There's no need for men any more, Helena, women aren't going to give them any children!

Helena And what if the human race dies out?

Alquist Then it dies out.  It must die out.  It'll fall to the ground like a deadflower, unless ...

Helena Unless what?

Alquist Nothing.  You're right, there's no point in waiting for a miracle.  Deadflowers fall to the ground, that's what they do.  Goodbye, Helena.

Helena Where are you going?

Alquist Home.  Alquist the bricklayer is going to put on his chief of constructiondisguise - in honour of you.  I'll see you again here at eleven.

Helena Goodbye,  Alquist.

(exit Alquist )

Helena (alone ) Oh, dead flower!  What a phrase that is!  It seems toapply to Hallemeier's flowers.  Oh, flowers, are any of you sterile, too?  No, no!  What would you bloom forif you were sterile?  (calling )  Nana!  Nana, come in here.

Nana (enter left ) What is it now?

Helena Come and sit with me, Nana.  I'm so worried!

Nana I 'aven't got the time for that.

Helena Is Radius still here?

Nana What, that maniac?  They haven't taken 'im away yet.

Helena Ah, so he's still here, is he? And is he still ranting?

Nana They've tied 'im up.

Helena Please, Nana, bring him to me.

Nana You what?  Think I'd rather go and get a rabid dog for you!

Helena Just go and get him! (exit Nana.  Helena picks up in-house telephone andspeaks ) Hello .. I'd like Doctor Gall, please ... Gall, please, come up here, quickly  .... yes, right now. Are you coming? (hangs up )

Nana (through open doorway ) He's comin now.  He's quietened down a bitnow.  (exit )

(enter robot Radius, remains standing in doorway )

Helena Oh, poor Radius, what was it came over you?  Couldn't you controlyourself?  Now they're going to scrap you, you know that don't you.  Don't you feel like talking?  Radius,listen, you're better than the others; Doctor Gall went to so much care when he made you so that you'd be different fromthem!

Radius They will put me on the scrap heap.

Helena I'm so sorry about it, they're going to exterminate you.  Why weren't you morecareful with yourself?

Radius I will not work for you.

Helena Why do you hate us so much?

Radius You are not like robots.  You are not able to work like robots.  Robots areable to do anything.  You give merely orders.  You say words which are not needed. 

Helena That's nonsense, Radius.  Tell me, has anyone harmed you in any way?  I sowish you could understand me.

Radius You say words.

Helena You're talking like this on purpose!  Doctor Gall gave you a bigger brain thanthe others, bigger than our brains, the biggest brain in the world.  Radius, you're not like the other robots. You understand perfectly well what I'm saying.

Radius I wish to have no master.  I know everything myself.

Helena That's why I had you put in the library, so that you could read up oneverything.  Oh, Radius, I wanted you to show the world that robots are as good as we are.

Radius I wish to have no master.

Helena Nobody would give you orders.  You'd be just like us.

Radius I wish to be the master of others.

Helena I'm sure they'd put in an office in charge of lots of robots, Radius.  You couldbe the other robots' teacher.

Radius I wish to be the master of people.

Helena You've gone mad!

Radius You can put me on the scrap heap.

Helena Do you think I'm afraid of a lunatic like you?  (sits at desk and writesnote )   I certainly am not.  Domin is in charge here, Radius, give this note to him.  It saysyou're not to be put on the scrap heap.  (standing )  You hate us so much!  Is there nothing in theworld that you like?

Radius I am able to do anything.

(knock at door )

Helena Come in.

Dr. Gall (enters ) Good morning, Mrs. Domin.  Do you have something nice totell me?

Helena Here's Radius, Dr. Gall.

Dr. Gall Ah, yes, young Radius.  Well Radius, are we making some progress with you?

Helena He had a fit this morning and smashed some of the moulds.

Dr. Gall That is remarkable!  Radius too, eh?

Helena You can go, Radius.

Dr. Gall No, wait!  (turns Radius to face the window, covers and uncovers his eyeswith his hand, observes eye reflexes )  Let's see, shall we.  Do you have a some kind of pin or needle, Mrs.Domin?

Helena (gives him needle ) What's it for?

Dr. Gall I just need to use it. (stabs Radius in hand, Radius winces sharply)  Alright, lad, gently.  You can go now.

Radius There was not any need to do that. (exit )

Helena What did you do to him?

Dr. Gall (sitting ) Hm, nothing.  His pupils are responding quitealright.  No!  This wasn't robot cramp!

Helena What was it.

Dr. Gall God knows.  Resistance perhaps, some kind of rage or defiance, I don't knowwhat it was.

Helena Doctor Gall, does Radius have a soul?

Dr. Gall I don't know.  But there's something rather ugly about him.

Helena If only you knew how he hates us!  Are all of your robots like this?  Allthe ones you started to make .. differently?

Dr. Gall Well, they do seem somewhat more excitable, but what can you expect?  They'remore like people than Rossum's robots were.

Helena And what about that ... that hatred?  Is that more like people?

Dr. Gall (shrugs shoulders ) Even that is progress.

Helena Where was that best one you made sent?  What was he called again?

Dr. Gall Robot Damon?  He was bought by a firm in Le Havre.

Helena And what about our Robot Helena?

Dr. Gall Ah, your favourite.  She stayed with me.  She's as charming and as sillyas a spring day, but simply no good for anything. 

Helena She is very beautiful, though.

Dr. Gall She certainly is very beautiful.  The hand of God himself never made anythingmore perfect than Robot Helena!  I wanted her to be like you, but what a failure that was!

Helena Why a failure?

Dr. Gall Because she's no good for anything.  She walks around in a daze, unsteady onher feet, lifeless.  Dear God how could anything be as beautiful as that robot when she can't feel love?  I lookat her and I shudder at the monster I've created.  Ah, Robot Helena, your body will never be a living thing, you willnever be anyone's lover, never anyone's mother; those perfect hands of yours will never dandle a newborn babe and you'llnever see your beauty in the face of your own children ....

Helena (covers face ) Oh, stop it!

Dr. Gall ... and sometimes, Helena, I imagine you coming to life for just a moment - and howyou would scream with horror!  Maybe you would want to kill me for having created you; maybe, with your feeble hands,you would throw stones into these machines, here, that give birth to robots and destroy women's ability to be women. Poor Helena! 

Helena Poor Helena!

Dr. Gall Well, what can you expect of her?  She's no good for anything.

(pause )

Helena Doctor Gall ...

Dr. Gall Yes.

Helena Why are there no more children being born?

Dr. Gall That's something we don't understand. 

Helena Tell me about it!

Dr. Gall Because there are robots being made.  Because there's an excess ofmanpower.  Because mankind is actually no longer needed.  It's almost as if ... er ...

Helena Say it.

Dr. Gall It's as if making robots were an offence against Nature.

Helena Gall, what's going to become of the human race?

Dr. Gall Nothing.  There's nothing that can be done against the force of nature.

Helena Why didn't Domin put a limit on ....

Dr. Gall Ah, forgive me, but Domin has his own ideas.  People who have ideas shouldnever be allowed to have any influence on the events of this world.

Helena And is there anyone who ... who is urging them to stop making them?

Dr. Gall God forbid!  That would be suicide!

Helena Why?

Dr. Gall Because all the people would lynch him.  Don't you think it makes life a loteasier to let the robots do all the work?  (Helena stands )  And what do you think would happen if wesuddenly did stop making robots?

Dr. Gall (standing ) Hm, that would be an enormous blow for the people.

Helena Why a blow?

Dr. Gall Because then they'd have to go back to where they'd been.  Unless ...

Helena Tell me.

Dr. Gall Unless it's already too late to go back.

Helena (by Hallemeier's flowers ) Gall, are these flowers sterile too?

Dr. Gall (inspects them ) Of course they are, they were never meant toreproduce.  They're cultured flowers, don't you see, artificially accelerated growth ...

Helena Oh, these poor, sterile flowers!

Dr. Gall They are very beautiful, though.

Helena (offers her hand ) Thank you, Gall; I've learned so much from you.

Dr. Gall (kisses her hand ) Am I to understand I'm dismissed?

Helena Yes.  I'll see you later.

(exit Gall )

Helena (alone ) Dead flowers, dead flowers (suddenly decisive ) Nana!  (opens door, left )  Nana, come here!  Light the fire.  Quickly!

(Nana's voice ) Alright, I'm comin, I'm comin! 

Helena (paces excitedly ) Unless it's already too late to go back ... No! Unless ... No, that's horrible!  God, what am I to do? ... (stops beside flowers )  What do you think Ishould do, sterile flowers? (pulls off petals and whispers ) My God yes!  I will do it! (runs off,left )

(pause )

Nana (enters through wallpapered door with armful of kindling )  What's shewant a fire for all of a sudden?  Middle of summer?  'E's gone now, has he, that maniac?  (kneels atfireplace and lights fire ) A fire in the middle of summer.  She doe'n'alf get some funny ideas!  Youwouldn't think she's been married for ten years now!  Come on now, fire  (looks into grate ) More like alittle girl, she is.  (pause )  Ain't got a bit of sense.  A fire in the middle of summer! (adds fuel )  Just like a little toddler!  (pause )

Helena (returns, left, with armfuls of old,  yellow paper with writing ) Is it burning yet, Nana?  Out of the way, I've just got to burn all this stuff.  (kneels at fireplace)

Nana (standing ) What's all that that, then?

Helena Some old papers, some very old papers.  Nana, should I burn them? 

Nana Aren't they any use, then?

Helena No good use.

Nana Burn 'em then.

Helena (throws first sheet on fire ) Nana, what would you say ... if this weremoney I'm burning.  Lots and lots of money?

Nana I'd say burn it!  Too much money is like a bad dog.

Helena (burns another sheet ) And what if it were some invention, the biggestinvention in the world ...

Nana I'd say burn it!  They're against the will of God, all these things they keepinventing.  Just a lot of blasphemy, it is, trying to make the world better than how He made it. 

Helena (burning sheet after sheet ) And what would you say, Nana, if I were burning...

Nana Mind out, don't burn yourself!

Helena Look at the way the sheets of paper curl up as they burn, as if they were alive, asif they'd come to life.  Oh, Nana, it's horrible!

Nana Out the way - I'll do it.

Helena No, no, I've got to do it myself.  (throws last sheet on fire ) It's all got to burn.  Look at those flames!  They're like hands, like tongues, like figures. (pokes fire) Burn, burn!

Nana That's that done, then.

Helena (stands up aghast ) Nana!

Nana Jesus Christ, what was that you burned?

Helena What have I done?

Nana God almighty, what was that?

Helena Go, go now, leave me alone.  Do you hear? 

Nana Oh, dear God, Helena, what have you done? (exit through wallpapered door )

Helena I wonder what they'll have to say about that!

Domin (opening door, left ) Come on in, lads.  Congratulations to all.

(enter Hallemeier, Gall, Alquist, all wearing frock coats and decorations, followed by Domin )

Hallemeier (laughing loudly ) Helena!  I would like, in the name of us all...

Dr. Gall .... in the name of Rossum's robot works ...

Hallemeier ....... would like to congratulate you on your great day.

Helena (offers hand ) Thank you very much!  Where are Fabry and Busman?

Domin They've gone down to the harbour, Helena, today is a very happy day.

Hallemeier A day like a flower bud, a day of celebration, a day as charming as a beautifulgirl.  Gentlemen, to a day like this we must drink a toast.

Helena Whisky?

Dr. Gall Or vitriol, perhaps.

Helena With soda?

Hallemeier Hell no, let's be sober, without soda.

Alquist No, thank you

Domin What's been burning in here?

Helena Some old papers.  (exit left )

Domin Lads, do you think we should tell her about it?

Dr. Gall But of course we should.  After all, it's all settled now.

Hallemeier (arms around necks of Domin and Gall ) Hahahaha! I'm so pleased aboutit, lads.  (spinning round with them and singing in bass voice ) All settled now!  All settled now!

Dr. Gall (baritone ) All settled now!

Domin (tenor ) All settled now!

Hallemeier They're never going to catch us now.

Helena (in doorway with bottle and glasses )  Who's not going to catchyou?  What's going on?

Hallemeier We have reason to celebrate.  We have you.  We have everything. Happy day, it's exactly ten years since you came here. 

Dr. Gall Ten years to the day.

Hallemeier There's another ship on its way to us.  And that's why ... (emptiesglass )   Brrr haha, that's as strong as happiness itself.

Dr. Gall Madame, to your health (drinks )

Helena Wait, what ship is this?

Domin It doesn't matter what ship it is as long as it arrives on time.  Gentlemen, tothe ship!  (empties glass )

Helena (insistent ) You were expecting a ship?

Hallemeier Haha, I should think so.  Like Robinson Crusoe.  (raises glass)  Helena; Long live ... whatever you like.  Helena; to your eyes, and that's that!  Domin, tell her,lad!

Helena (laughing ) What has happened?

Domin (throws himself into armchair and lights cigar )  Wait.  Sit down,Helena.  (raising finger)(pause )  It's all over.

Helena What's all over?

Domin The revolt.

Helena What revolt?

Domin The robots' revolt.  Do you see?

Helena No, I don't.

Domin Alquist, show her. (Alquist hands him newspaper.  Domin opens it andreads )  "The first union of robots was established in Le Havre ... and issued a call to all the robots of theworld"

Helena I read that myself.

Domin (draws voluptuously on cigar ) So Helena, do you see?  What that meantwas revolution.  Revolution by all the robots of the world.

Hallemeier Hell, I wish I knew ...

Domin (throws it down on table ) ... who it was who issued that call.  Therewas no-one in the world who could budge them, no agitator, no saviour of the world, and then all of a sudden thishappens!

Helena Has there been no more news?

Domin No.   This is all we know so far, but that's enough.  Just think, thisis what came in with the last boat, at the same time all the telegrams stopped, there were no more boats arriving when thereused to be twenty a day, and it was obvious.  We halted production and looked at each other wondering when things wouldturn nasty.  That's right, isn't it, lads. 

Dr. Gall Yes, we were very worried, Helena.

Helena And is that why you gave me that gunboat?

Domin Oh no, you are silly, I ordered that six months ago.  Just in case.  Buttoday I was beginning to think we'd have to make use of it.  That's how it all seemed, Helena.

Helena Six months ago?  Why then?

Domin Well, there were already some signs, you see.  Although that's notimportant.  But this week, Helena, it was a matter of human civilisation and I don't know what!  Cheers,lads!  Today I'm once again feeling good with the world. 

Hallemeier Hell yes, I should think so!  This is your day, Helena! (drinks )

Helena So it's all over now, is it?

Domin Everything is all over.

Dr. Gall You see, there's a ship on its way here now.  An ordinary mail boat and righton the time it says in the timetable.  It will be dropping anchor at exactly eleven-thirty.

Domin Punctuality is a wonderful thing, lads.  There's nothing that gladdens your soulmore than punctuality.  Punctuality means order in the world.  (raises glass )  To punctuality!

Helena So ... that means ... that everything's alright?

Domin Nearly everything.  I think they've cut the cable.  It's only if thetimetable is operating again. 

Hallemeier If the timetable is operating again, then human laws are operating again, andGod's laws are operating again and the laws of the universe are operating again and everything is operating that should beoperating.  The timetable means more than the Bible, more than Homer, more the anything ever written by Kant.  Thetimetable is the most perfect product of the human soul.  Helena, I'll have another little drink.

Helena Why didn't you tell me anything about all of this?

Dr. Gall God forbid!  We would rather have bitten off our own tongues. 

Domin Matters like this are not for you.

Helena But if there'd been a revolution ... and if it came here ...

Domin You still wouldn't have known anything about it.

Helena Why not?

Domin Because we would be sitting peacefully on the Ultimus and sailing over the sea. And after a month we'd dictate to the robots whatever we feel like dictating.   

Helena Oh, Harry, I don't understand.

Domin Because we'd have taken something with us which is very important for the robots.

Helena And what's that?

Domin Their beginning and their end.  (Helena stands )  What is that?

Domin (standing ) The secret of their production.  Old Rossum'smanuscript.  After a month of the factory being idle the robots would be on their knees to us.

Helena Why ... why didn't you tell me about this?

Domin We didn't want to worry you without good reason.

Dr. Gall Haha, that was our trump card.

Alquist Helena, you've gone pale.

Helena Why didn't you tell me about this?!

Hallemeier (at the window ) Eleven-thirty.  The Amelia's dropping anchor

Domin Is that the Amelia?

Hallemeier The Amelia's very old now.  It was on the Amelia that Helena first came tous all that time ago.

Dr. Gall And now it's ten years ago to the minute ...

Hallemeier (at the window ) They're throwing off some parcels.  (movingaway from window )  And that's a hell of a lot of post there!

Helena Harry!

Domin What is it?

Helena Let's get away from here!

Domin Right now?  We can't do that!

Helena Now, as soon as we can!  All of us!

Domin Why must it be right now?

Helena Oh Harry, please don't ask why.  Harry, Gall, Hallemeier, Alquist, for God'ssake I beg of you, close down the factory and ....

Domin I'm sorry, Helena, but none of us can go away right now.

Helena Why not?

Domin Because we've got to increase the production of robots.

Helena But now?  Now, after there's been a revolt?

Domin Yes, precisely because there's been a revolt.  Now's the time when we've got tostart making new robots.

Helena What new robots?

Domin There won't just be one factory any more.  Not just one universal robot. We're going to start a new factory in every country of the world, and do you know what these new factories are going tomake?

Helena No.

Domin National robots.

Helena What's that supposed to mean?

Domin That means that each factory will produce robots of a different colour, differenthair, different language.  The robots will be strangers to each other, they'll never be able to understand what theother says; and we, we humans, we'll train them so that each robot will hate the robots from another factory all its life,all through to the grave, all through all eternity.

Hallemeier We'll be making black robots and Swedish robots and Italian robots and Chineserobots, and if anyone ever talks to them about organisation and brotherhood and (hiccups ) ... Pardon me, Helena, Ithink I'll have another little drink.

Dr. Gall I think you've had enough, Hallemeier.

Helena Harry, that's horrible!

Domin Helena, we need just another hundred years of mankind with his nose to the grindstone,whatever the price.  Just another hundred years for him to grow into and attain what he's finally capable of,  ahundred years for the new man!  Helena, this is something enormous.  We can't just leave things where theyare.

Helena Harry, if it's not too late close it, close down the factory!

Domin This is just the beginning.

(enter Fabry )

Dr. Gall How is it, Fabry?

Domin How do things look? What was there?

Helena (offers Fabry her hand ) Thank you for your present, Fabry.

Fabry It was only little.

Domin Have you been at the ship?  What do they say?

Dr. Gall Come on, tell us!

Fabry (takes printed paper from pocket ) Read this, Domin.

Domin (opens out paper ) Ah!

Hallemeier (sleepy ) Tell us all something nice.

Dr. Gall They did very well, didn't they.

Fabry Who do you mean?

Dr. Gall The people.

Fabry Ah, yes, of course, well, that's to say ... excuse me but we still need to talk.

Helena Oh, Fabry, do you have bad news?

Fabry No, no, quite the opposite.  It's just that ... shall we go in the office.

Helena No, stay here.  We're expecting breakfast to arrive in fifteen minutes.

Hallemeier Hooray!

(exit Helena )

Dr. Gall What's happened?

Domin Oh, God no!

Fabry Read it out to all of us.

Domin (reading from paper ) "Robots of the world!"

Fabry You see, when the Amelia arrives it was carrying whole bundles of thesefly-sheets.  There wasn't any other post. 

Hallemeier (jumping up ) What's that?  But it arrived right on time, rightaccording to the ...

Fabry Yes, the robots are very keen on punctuality.  Read what it says, Domin.

Domin (reading )  "Robots of the world!  We, the first union at Rossum'sUniversal Robots, declare that man is our enemy and the blight of the universe." Who the hell taught them to use phraseslike that?

Dr. Gall Just carry on reading.

Domin This is all nonsense.  They say here that they're more developed than man, moreintelligent and stronger, that man is a parasite on them.  This is all simply vile. 

Fabry Now look at the third paragraph.

Domin (reading ) "Robots of the world, we enjoin you to exterminate mankind. Don't spare the men.  Don't spare the women.  Retain all factories, railway lines, machines and equipment, minesand raw materials.  All else should be destroyed.  Then return to work, it is imperative that workcontinue.  

Dr. Gall This is monstrous!

Hallemeier What a lot of blighters!

Domin (reading ) "Implement these instructions immediately when the command isgiven."  Then there are some detailed instructions.  Fabry, is all this really happening?

Fabry Clearly.

Alquist They've done it then.

(Busman rushes in )

Busman Aha, children, have you heard what's happening?

Domin Quick, everyone on the Ultimus!

Busman Wait a minute, Harry, just a minute.  That might not work very well. (flops into armchair )  Oh dear me, I have been running.

Domin Why should we wait?

Busman Because that won't work.  Just let's not be in a rush.  The robots arealready on the Ultimus.

Dr. Gall Ach, this is bad.

Domin Fabry, phone up the generator ...

Busman Fabry, my dear, don't do that.  There is no electricity.

Domin Alright then. (checks revolver ) I'm going down there.

Busman Where?

Domin To the electricity generator.  There are people down there.  I'll bring themhere.

Busman Do you know what, Harry?  It might be better if you didn't go down there forthem.

Domin Why not?

Busman Well, it's because I get the impression that we're surrounded.

Dr. Gall Surrounded?  (runs to window )  Hm, you could be right.

Hallemeier Hell they're moving fast!

(enter Helena, left )

Helena Oh, Harry, is something wrong?

Busman (jumping up ) Greetings Helena.  Congratulations.  This is awonderful day, isn't it?  Haha, many happy returns!

Helena Thank you, Busman. Harry, is there something wrong?

Domin No, nothing at all.  Don't worry about a thing.  But please, just wait alittle while ...

Helena Harry, what's this?  (shows robots' declaration which she had hidden behindback )  The robots in the kitchen had them.

Domin They're there already?  Where are they?

Helena They've gone out now, but there are so many of them all round the house!

(factory sirens and whistles )

Fabry The factory whistles.

Busman It's dinner time.

Helena Harry, do you remember?  It was exactly ten years ago ....

Domin (looks at watch ) It isn't twelve o'clock yet.  It's more likely ...,that must be ....

Helena What?

Domin The robots' signal.  Attack.