R.U.R. | Page 4

of worker is the cheapest worker. The one that has the least needs. What young Rossum invented was a worker with the least needs possible. He had to make him simpler. He threw out everything that wasn't of direct use in his work, that's to say, he threw out the man and put in the robot. Miss Glory, robots are not people. They are mechanically much better than we are, they have an amazing ability to understand things, but they don't have a soul. Young Rossum created something much more sophisticated than Nature ever did - technically at least!
Helena: They do say that man was created by God.
Domin: So much the worse for them. God had no idea about modern technology. Would you believe that young Rossum, when he was alive, was playing at God.?
Helena: How was he doing that!
Domin: He started to make super-robots. Working giants. He tried to make them four meters tall - you wouldn't believe how those monsters kept breaking up.
Helena: Breaking up?
Domin: Yes. All of a sudden, for no reason, a leg or an arm would break. This planet just seems too small for monsters like that. So now we just make them normal size and normal proportions.
Helena: I saw my first robot in our village. They'd bought him so that... that's to say they'd employed him to...
Domin: Bought it, Miss Glory. Robots are bought and sold.
Helena:... they'd obtained him to work as a road sweeper. I watched him working . ?He was strange. So quiet.?
Domin: Have you seen my typist?
Helena: I didn't really notice her.
Domin: (rings) You know, RUR, Ltd. has never really make individual robots, but we do have some that are better than others. The best ones can last up to twenty years.
Helena: And then they die, do they?
Domin: Yes, they get worn out.
(enter Sulla)
Domin: Sulla, let Miss Glory have a look at you. ?
Helena: (stands and offers her hand) Pleased to meet you. It must be very hard for you out here, cut off from the rest of the world.?
Sulla: I do not know the rest of the world. Miss Glory please sit down.
Helena: (sits) Where are you from?
Sulla: From here, the factory.
Helena: Oh, you were born here.
Sulla: Yes I was made here.
Helena: (startled) What?
Domin: (laughing) Sulla isn't a person, Miss Glory, she's a robot.
Helena: Oh, please forgive me...
Domin: (puts his hand on Sulla's shoulder) Sulla doesn't have feelings. You can examine her. Feel her face and see how we make the skin.
Helena: Oh, no, no!
Domin: It feels just the same as human skin. Sulla even has the sort of down on her face that you'd expect on a blonde. Perhaps her eyes are a bit small, but look at that hair. Turn around, Sulla.
Helena: Stop it!
Domin: Talk to our guest. We're very honoured to have her here.
Sulla: Please sit down miss. (both sit) Did you have a good crossing.
Helena: Er, yes, yes, very good thank you.
Sulla: It will be better not to go back on the Amelia Miss Glory. The barometer is dropping fast, and has sunk to 705. Wait here for the Pennsylvania, that is a very good and very strong ship.
Domin: How big is it?
Sulla: It is twelve thousand tonnes and can travel at twenty knots.?
Domin: (laughing) That's enough now, Sulla, that's enough. Show us how well you speak French.
Helena: You speak French?
Sulla: I speak four languages. I can write 'Dear Sir! Monsieur! Geehrter Herr! Ctny pane!'
Helena: (jumping up) This is all humbug! You're all charlatans! Sulla's not a robot, she's a living girl just like I am. Sulla, you should be ashamed of yourself - why are you play-acting like this?
Sulla: I am a robot.
Helena: No, no, you're lying! Oh, I'm sorry, Sulla, I realise... I realise they force you to do it just to make their products look good. Sulla, you're a living girl just like I am - admit it.
Domin: Sorry Miss Glory. I'm afraid Sulla really is a robot.?
Helena: You're lying!
Domin: (stands erect) What's that? - (rings) If you'll allow me, it seems I'll have to convince you.
(enter Marius)
Domin: Marius, take Sulla down to the dissection room to have her opened up. Quickly!
Helena: Where?
Domin: The dissection room. Once they've cut her open you can come down and have a look.
Helena: I'm not going there!
Domin: If you'll forgive me, you did say something about lying.
Helena: You're going to have her killed?
Domin: You don't kill a machine.
Helena: (arms around Sulla) Don't worry, Sulla, I won't let them take you. Do they always treat you like this? You shouldn't put up with it, do you hear, you shouldn't put up with it.
Sulla: I am a robot.
Helena: I don't care what you are. Robots are people just as good as we are. Sulla, would you really let them cut you open.
Sulla: Yes.
Helena: And aren't you afraid of dying?
Sulla: