R.U.R. | Page 9

Mr., er, the builder do?
Domin: Alquist? Nothing. He just lays the table and, er, Fabry gets some fruit. It's only a very modest kitchen, really.?
Helena: There's something I wanted to ask you...
Domin: I've been wanting to ask you something too. (puts his watch on the table) We've got five minutes.
Helena: What did you want to ask?
Domin: No, please, you started to ask first.
Helena: Maybe it's stupid of me, but... Why do you make female robots when,... when...
Domin:... when they don't have, er, when gender has no meaning for them?
Helena: That's right.
Domin: It's a matter of supply and demand. You see, housemaids, shop staff, typists... people are used to them being female.
Helena: And, tell me, towards each other, the male robots and the female robots, are they, er...
Domin: Simply indifferent to each other. There's no sign of any attraction for each other at all.
Helena: Oh, that's horrible!
Domin: Why?
Helena: It's just so... so unnatural! You don't even know whether you're supposed to loathe them or... or to envy them... or...
Domin:... or feel sorry for them?
Helena: Most likely, yes! No, stop it! What was it you were going to ask?
Domin: I'd like to ask you, Miss Glory, if you would marry me?
Helena: What?
Domin: Marry me.
Helena: No! What are you thinking of?
Domin: (looks at watch) There are three minutes left. If you don't marry me you'll have to marry one of the other five.
Helena: Oh for God's sake! Why would I marry any of you?
Domin: Because they'll all ask you one after the other.
Helena: How would they dare?
Domin: Well I'm afraid they all seem to have fallen in love with you.
Helena: Well I don't want them to do that! I'm leaving.
Domin: But surely you wouldn't do that, Helena, you'd make them so sad.?
Helena: I can't marry all six of you, can I!
Domin: No, but you can marry one. If you won't have me maybe Fabry would do.
Helena: I don't want to.
Domin: Doctor Gall.
Helena: No, no, be quiet! I don't want any of you!
Domin: There are two minutes left.
Helena: This is awful! Marry one of the robots.
Domin: A robot isn't a woman.
Helena: And that's all you want, is it! I get the impression you'd... you'd marry anyone who turned up here.
Domin: Enough have been here already.
Helena: Young?
Domin: Young.
Helena: Why didn't you marry any of them?
Domin: Because I didn't lose my head over them. Not till today. As soon as you took off your veil.
Helena:... I know.
Domin: One minute left.
Helena: But I don't want to, for God's sake!
Domin: (putting both hands on her shoulders) One minute left. Either you look me in they eye and say something quite repulsive so that I drop you, or else...
Helena: You're just a ruffian!
Domin: That doesn't matter. A man is supposed to be a bit of a ruffian, that's part of being a man.
Helena: You're mad!
Domin: People are supposed to be a little bit mad, Helena. That's the best thing about them.?
Helena: You're... you're... Oh God!
Domin: There, you see? Are you ready now?
Helena: No, no! Please let go of me! You're crushing me!
Domin: Your final word, Helena.
Helena: (defending herself) Not for anything in the world... but Harry!
(Knock at the door. Enter Busman, Dr. Gall and Hallemeier wearing cook's aprons. Enter Fabry with flowers and Alquist with serviette under arm)
Domin: Everything finished in the kitchen?
Busman: (triumphant) Yes.
Domin: Here too.?
CURTAIN
ACT ONE
(Helena's living room. Stage left, wallpapered door to music room, right, door to bedroom. Centre, window overlooking sea and harbour. Dressing table with sundry items, table, settee and armchair, chest o'drawers, desk with standard lamp, fireplace to the right, also with standard lamp. Whole room, in detail, of modern and purely feminine character)
(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, stage right) 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's sake! 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 Ultimus docked 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 my new jasmine. In fact I'm right on the threshold of a whole new Garden of Paradise full of new flowers. I've found a wonderful new way to accelerate development, and all sorts of new